On the Road to War
You are to be congratulated for underscoring the truth of the old axiom that a picture is worth a thousand words. The face of the soldier on your cover says it all (“Hell Bent on War,” Feb. 3). I have no idea where this picture was taken, nor of its circumstances, but what I do know is how faithful is my memory of all the times, as a Navy corpsman, I saw this face on so many of the “tough Marines and dogfaces” on Guadalcanal. To me that face asks the question “What is going to happen next?” And all the time it knows that the options are limited. Douglas H. Thompson Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.
Labeling the American soldier whose life is on the line, and who is subject to orders from his commander in chief, as “hellbent on war” is degrading to the military and an inaccurate description of President Bush. Someone hellbent on war with Saddam Hussein would have and could have acted long ago. Rather, Bush has yet to act in the 17 months following the attack on 9-11 and is giving Saddam every chance to disarm, surrender, go into exile–whatever he would like except maintain the status quo. Carlie Dixon Arlington, Va.
As the father of a platoon leader in the Third Infantry Division’s combat team and the son of an Eighth Air Force combat veteran, I was offended by “Fear at the Front.” You took up the ambitious burden of explaining the psychology of the combat soldier, made little headway and ultimately hid behind a condescending view of men like the Second Brigade’s Sgt. Mathew Figley, who have volunteered to put themselves in mortal danger. An acknowledgment of the mystery of the volunteer soldier and a simple thank-you requires some humility and gratitude. I hope we all have plenty of both when they return. Ronald P. Mysliwiec Brooklyn, N.Y.
If Iraq actually possesses nuclear weapons, chemical weapons such as nerve gas and biological weapons such as anthrax, and we aren’t sure where they are, then there’s no way to ignore the possibility of freeing into the atmosphere nuclear radiation, nerve gas, anthrax spores, etc., if we start shelling and dropping bombs on Iraq. We could end up killing millions of innocent people. Wouldn’t it be better to continue to search for these weapons, and maintain a large team of monitors in Iraq (as called for currently in U.N. Resolution 1441) to ensure that it doesn’t develop such weapons? Tim Milne Camino, Calif.
In today’s world, lasting peace will never be achieved through military threats and war. The only way to achieve peace is through the urgent pursuit of an agenda that addresses the global issues of economic inequity, environmental degradation, population explosion and the recognition of human rights through organizations such as the United Nations and the World Court. Hope does not lie in our military might, ruling the world by way of empire and the establishment of a fortress America we may think is secure under an antiballistic-missile shield. Rev. Tim Haley Port Townsend, Wash.
If, say, South Africa had gassed, tortured and murdered thousands of its citizens, we would have invaded without hesitation. Sadly, throughout the Clinton administration we turned a blind eye to a tyrannical dictator and allowed Saddam to foster and cultivate hate against the United States. Do we need another 9-11 before we act? Shades of Neville Chamberlain. Charles Chapman Huntington, Ind.
The picture of the young GI could have been taken of a young Bob Wolf more than 50 years ago. The only difference is the rifle (an M1 Garand), the color of the uniform (green) and the helmet (steel). What hasn’t changed is the mud, the barbed wire, the tracer bullets and the attitude “I will make it through this”–if for no other reason than every other soldier will prove to the first sergeant we’re not a bunch of pantywaists. Bob Wolf Mont Vernon, N.H.
As a forward-deployed infantry-battalion operations officer in the Middle East, I could not disagree more with your article “Fear at the Front.” The comparison made between today’s armed forces and our forces of 60 years ago is neither fair nor accurate. Today’s armed forces are the best-trained, -equipped and -led in our nation’s history. Furthermore, our adversary in this potential conflict doesn’t have the same motivation, caliber of soldiers, equipment or leadership that our grandfathers’ adversaries had. Many of our key leaders in the armed forces have combat experience. Please don’t mistake our soldiers’ confidence in their training, mission and leadership for arrogance or ignorance. Maj. Chuck Booze Third Infantry Division U.S. Army Sinai Peninsula, Egypt
Thanks for publishing Geoffrey Cowley’s excellent report on the humanitarian catastrophe likely to result from a U.S. attack on Iraq (“Gauging the Human Toll”). Tragically, reports on this topic have been rare in the U.S. media. I suspect that if more Americans knew of the colossal level of suffering that a new war is likely to induce, public support for war would plummet in the United States. Kevin Shultz Toronto, Canada
When President Bush trumpets that the United States “never conquers, but we liberate,” to justify a unilateral attack against Iraq, he’ll have to forgive the rest of the world for not believing him. History is full of American leaders who, during their time, felt perfectly justified to “liberate” Native Americans of their land or “liberate” the Pacific during World War II by dropping atomic bombs on Japan. Perhaps it would be better for the world if the president and his hawkish advisers first liberate their minds of their misguided arrogance. C. Horatius Mosquera Antipolo, Philippines
As a psychologist in Vietnam during the period that included the Tet Offensive, Khe Sanh under siege and the May Offensive, I was one of two whose responsibilities included in-country psychiatric triage and short-term psychiatric treatment. Despite official statistics, no one really knows the incidence of psychiatric casualties in Vietnam. Many escaped identification and, hence, reporting. Most Marines and corpsmen at Khe Sanh, for example, preferred to hunker down and tremble in their bunkers rather than risk death wending their way to Charlie Med for psychiatric help. The number of servicemen seen in-country and on hospital ships in psychiatric consult was meager compared with the number of combat- and disease-related casualties. You report that combat training has improved to include simulations and other exercises to prepare military personnel for the chaos and terror of combat. If so, and if they have realistic expectations for combat, there is reason to believe the psychiatric-casualty rate for them in any Iraqi campaign would be less than the modest incidence noted for Vietnam. Donald J. Platner Fox Point, Wis.
There are several inaccuracies pertaining to valorous military decorations in “Fear at the Front.” First, the Silver Star is not the nation’s “second highest award for valor.” Rather, the Air Force Cross, the Distinguished Service Cross (Army) and the Navy Cross (which includes Marines) are second. Also, the awards for valor are not “won,” they are awarded. Finally, the Congressional Medal of Honor is simply called the Medal of Honor. James K. Olberding Ames, Iowa
‘Hell No, We Won’t Go’
“Giving Protest a Chance” (Feb. 3) illustrates the difference between the anti-war marches of today and those during the Vietnam War. Then, protests began in earnest only after Congress cut off student deferments. On American streets, service personnel endured shouts of “baby killers!” They were advised not to wear their uniforms off base and, in some areas, to disguise their GI haircuts with hairpieces. Families of captured servicemen were told to remain quiet (though some began wearing POW bracelets in a silent protest of their own). It was conscription, not coffins, that set off the “hell no, we won’t go” riots. Bruce and Reta Jo Mitchell Kansas City, Mo.
Arian Campo-Flores says that the antiwar movement will be stymied because Democrats, “the protesters’ historical allies,” aren’t listening. But mass protest movements of any kind do not develop in support of established political power. They arise in America precisely because one of the major political parties is not listening to the will of the people. Non-institutionalized power organizes to influence or change–not to complement–the powers that be. John Bailey Baltimore, Md.
Perhaps antiwar protesters believe that Saddam Hussein is stockpiling weapons of mass destruction for no other reason than to have them on hand. A much more likely scenario is that Saddam does, in fact, intend to use the numerous chemical and biological weapons he is acquiring. And whom might Saddam use those weapons against? And why is he completely disregarding U.N. attempts to disarm him? Could it be because he doesn’t want to lose his chance to attack us and become a twisted “hero” like Osama bin Laden? Dominick DiGennaro McKeesport, Pa.
Kim Jong Il, the Enigma?
Don Gregg, former ambassador to South Korea and chairman of the Korea Society, makes an honest effort to find and share the truth about Kim Jong Il of North Korea (“Kim Jong Il: The Truth Behind the Caricature,” My Turn, Feb. 3). That gives me hope for humanity and a rush of gratitude to NEWSWEEK. When dealing with someone we’re told to dislike or distrust, Gregg shows by example how vitally important it is to be cautious, to have an open dialogue and to use reason to discern what such a person may choose to do. David Erikson Weare, N.H.
Don Gregg is convinced that Kim Jong Il is a reasonable and honest man. The West has often duped itself into believing that there is hope of rehabilitation. We want to believe the best of a people or country. But the Kim family has a 50-year history of committing crimes against humanity. North Korea continues this conduct, always talking of better behavior in the future. Now with U.N. inspectors thrown out of the North, more blackmail demands begin. Gregg’s excuses for appeasement play right into the “Great Leader’s” hands. We need a swift policy change to end 50 years of evil, deceit, deception and international criminality. Jon W. McBride Cumming, Iowa
Menstruation and Medication
Our Society is riddled with pills for an “easier” life (“Farewell to ‘Aunt Flo’,” Feb. 3). Instead of changing our lives and the way we view our bodies, we invent another pill to take. Perhaps our hunter-gatherer ancestors had fewer periods due to later menstruation, pregnancy and nursing, but I would imagine they also approached their “moon time” with a sense of mystery and awe. We may know how it all works, but where has it gotten us? Only to the ability to take it all away and make women more like men. Our moon time used to be a time of introspection, wisdom and creativity. Now we’re just too busy to listen. Cynthia Robinson Monroe, Conn.
I spent a week in the hospital last year because of a life-threatening blood clot and internal bleeding that my hematologist linked to my taking a low-dose estrogen that limited my period to four times a year. Take care, ladies: if it sounds too good to be true, it just might be. Cecelia Fielding Provo, Utah
On the Alert for Undetectable Rape Drugs
I cry for the woman in your article who was drugged with GHB (gamma hydroxybutyric acid) and raped by her boss ("‘The Perfect Crime’," Feb. 3). GHB is extremely dangerous and is difficult to detect because it doesn’t stay in one’s system for more than 12 hours. In contrast, marijuana can linger for up to six weeks, and a huge industry has been built on detecting its presence, even though it is a relatively safe plant and does not come close to the dangers of GHB. Our policies should reflect this new reality. Donna M. Paridee New Baltimore, Mich.
Thank you for your article “’the perfect crime’,” a very good explanation of the dangers of rape drugs such as GHB. While there’s no way to eliminate risk, there are a few things one can do to increase the odds of making it home safely: never leave a beverage unattended, socialize with friends who will share responsibility for your well-being and avoid “predatory club drugs” like GHB. A brief high isn’t worth risking a lifetime of traumatic memories. Scott Berkowitz, President and Founder Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network Washington, D.C.
Bringing Levity to the Troops
I was saddened to read of the death of Bill Mauldin, the creator of those two World War II scruffy infantry characters Joe and Willie (“The Line Kings Exit the Stage,” Periscope, Feb. 3). Those of us who served in the infantry in Europe recall so well the sometimes caustic but nearly always humorous comments made by Joe and Willie as they tried to cope with Army life overseas. Ernie Pyle used his typewriter to share with folks at home the day-to-day life of the infantryman. Mauldin used his pen and brush to depict the unshaven, unclean, unkempt, battle-scarred dogface, providing us with much-needed smiles and chuckles when there was not very much to provoke laughter. I am grateful to Mauldin for the never-to-be-forgotten laughable memories. Richard L. Biehl Wyomissing, Pa.
Rosa Parks Sat Here
I would like to thank NEWSWEEK for covering the return of the restored Rosa Parks bus to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich. (“Time to Get Back on the Bus,” Periscope, Feb. 3). However, your caption describes the accompanying photo as the restored bus, when in fact it is the bus before restoration. We are proud of our restoration of the bus where Rosa Parks took a stand. Steve Hamp, PresidentHenry Ford Museum Dearborn, Mich.
Hey, Watch That Language
I found your Feb. 3 article “Good as Gold” most interesting, and I admire the work of the six actors who took part in the round-table discussion. However, I was disturbed by the frequent use of language that was not fit to be printed in NEWSWEEK. And here I thought people talked that way only in the movies. Bronwyn Grissom League City, Texas
Corrections
In the graphic “Bound For Battle” (Feb. 3), we incorrectly stated the location of Hurlburt Field. It is in Florida, not Georgia.
We said that the trial for Andrew Luster took place in San Diego ("‘The Perfect Crime’," Feb. 3). In fact, it was in Ventura, Calif.
Our Feb. 3 article “Do-It-Yourself Isn’t Dead Yet” misidentified a Connecticut accountant. His name is Robert A. Green.
In a Feb. 10 graphic we printed a photo that identified the manufacturer of the shuttle Columbia’s nose and wing tiles as BFGoodrich. That company, now known as the Goodrich Corp., did not make the Columbia’s nose and wing tiles. NEWSWEEK regrets the errors.
