Today's Letters: Diplomacy is the way to deal with Iraq

Nuanced approach needed for Iran, Syria Nov. 14  

I want to thank you for this David Ignatius column, which cogently presents the case for our country engaging in dialogue with Iran and Syria. In the shared insight of Efraim Halevy, former head of Mossad, regarding the efficacy of such dialogue for the peace and security of Israel, I think it is also clear that the path we seek to peace and security in Iraq lies in the same effort. Halevy adds his voice to those of American military leaders who have told us time and time again that there is no military solution in Iraq, only a political solution. This solution requires our use of the tools of diplomacy and dialogue.

It is clear that currently we have an administration that does not include such a tool in its world-fixing toolbox. The only tool they have is the hammer, and we daily witness the broken results.

As a concerned citizen, I find I must turn to Congress to seek a constructive solution. I am asking my U.S. House representative, Kathy Castor, to co-sponsor and actively support the New Diplomatic Offensive for Iraq Act, HR 3797. This bill would require the president to develop and institute a regional diplomatic plan for the Middle East modeled on the diplomatic recommendations of the Iraq Study Group. It would bring us to the table with the United Nations, the Arab League and the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

I believe, as does Efraim Halevy, that working with regional partners is the key to peace and stability in Iraq and the Middle East. I think there are many more concerned citizens, Democrat, Republican and independent, who believe this and I hope they will call their representative today to encourage immediate action on this bill.

In considering the current saber-rattling with Iran, Halevy states, "Sensible Iranians are not in short supply." I believe that is true of Americans as well, and it is time for the sensible Americans to speak up.

Karen Putney, Tampa

Seeing success in Iraq

It should be clear to any rational person that the situation in Iraq has taken a turn for the better. The surge has succeeded beyond all expectations. Just a short time ago, liberals were insisting not only that the surge had failed, but also that America's mission in Iraq had failed. Congressional Democrats were demanding an immediate withdrawal and did everything in their power to bring about an end to our commitment. If they had succeeded, the Iraqi people would still be dying by the hundreds.

The Democrats told us the presence of our troops was a destabilizing force. They told us the insurgency was an understandable reaction to our military occupation. The surge, in their eyes, could only make matters worse, not better. This idiocy has been proved wrong once and for all. All indicators point to the surge's success.

The Iraqis now have a vested interest in our presence and protection. You don't hear calls for withdrawal from any but the most ridiculous of the presidential candidates. There is a reason for this. They can't be on the wrong side of this issue in 2008 because it has been turned on its head by events and President Bush's steadfast commitment. I dare say, by 2008, Republicans can run on success in Iraq. Don't count against it.

Jay Johnson, St. Petersburg

Poll puzzle

I can't believe what I am hearing! Polls show Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani as being the two candidates with the most voter support, while at the same time support for the war in Iraq and the Bush administration is dwindling, and nobody wants to go to war in Iran.

Clinton voted to fund the war in Iraq and give the Bush administration authority to invade another country on the basis of flimsy and false information.

Giuliani has as a foreign policy adviser Norman Podhoretz, who is described as the father of the neocon movement and actively supports the Iraq war as well as invading Iran.

Abraham Lincoln said, "You may fool ... some of the people all the time ..."

Mark Reinecke, St. Petersburg

Diversity at root of democracyNov. 13, Thomas Friedman column

A matter of rights

This article goes to the heart of a true democracy and it should be framed and posted in every classroom in every school in America. It, along with the Bill of Rights, should be required reading for every student in school.

Many people in America may have swallowed George Bush's claptrap about bringing democracy to Iraq with elections, but we all need to know that, as Thomas Friedman says, "Democracy is not about majority rule; it is about minority rights."

Ralph N. Madison Jr., St. Petersburg

Lawyers are too silent

What a sad spectacle it is to see lawyers in Pakistan braving truncheons and gas in the streets to fight for their democracy, while lawyers here in America yawn and go back to sleep while a despised administration dismantles the Constitution and defies the rule of law.

Where has been their willingness to fight, while we've seen the right of habeas corpus taken away from us, illegal wiretapping imposed on us, political rally attendees arrested for wearing anti-Bush T-shirts and protesters herded into "free speech zones"?

They should hang their heads in shame when their colleagues in a Muslim nation have to demonstrate to them what defending the rule of law is all about.

Robert Reppy, Palm Harbor

Ikea: It's just a store

It appears that an Ikea facility in Orlando warrants as much local media coverage as having one of the seven wonders of the world in our back yard. It is nauseating to see the in-depth reporting of essentially an assemble-it-yourself home furnishings retailer.

Just because Ikea is considered trendy by those who are slaves to current fashions, the store does not need to be glamorized. Ikea is just a store. It may be unique, but not to the point that nearly every few days for the past few weeks the Times and other local media have touted this establishment as the end-all of home furnishings places.

I am aware Tampa will get an Ikea in 2009. I hope by then the hype will die down and the Tampa Bay area will not look like a cultural backwater for making such a big deal over a chain furniture store.

David F. Parsons, Clearwater

[Last modified November 15, 2007, 21:42:29]