President’s message on Iraq

Re “Bush Says U.S. in Iraq for Long Haul,” March 22

I may not be the sharpest pencil in the box, but I can figure out that when the guy in charge says he has no plan to extricate us from Iraq, and that it will be up to future presidents to do so, it’s time for this president and his corrupt congressional cronies to go. A midterm sweep of Republican congressional candidates would be a good start.

PAUL AYERS

Glendale

*

When Army Gen. George W. Casey, the senior U.S. commander in Iraq, spoke about the battle plan to contain the violence in Iraq, he looked like a one-eyed cat staring at the mouse hole as he watched the mice run in while waiting for one to come out again. I liked it much better when we grew up with drop drills and communists to fear; fearing our own leaders -- that’s a new spin.

CHRIS EANN

Pasadena

*

Shorter version of Bush’s message: “I made this mess; someone else will have to clean it up.” Bush lost Iraq. About 130,000 troops were sent to occupy a country of 25 million people. It was a preposterous plan that has resulted in tragedy. Message to the voters this November: Please remember how we got to this place.

NANCY LINDEN

McLean, Va.

*

The president in Tuesday’s news conference was accused by reporter Helen Thomas of coming into office wanting war. He answered: “No president wants war.” Bush did not want war any more than former President Clinton planned to destroy schools and hospitals in Albania during the Serbian conflict. But it happened.

George W. Bush is a man, not a wimp. He takes risks and leads. Many modern politicians take polls and are afraid to make decisions and lead, but not this president. He does not watch polls; he follows the enemy.

VIRGINIA GAYL SALAZAR

Whittier