It's ironic how even your positions on the Iraq fiasco have slowly come full circle from your position seven years ago when you were beating the drums for war with the other neo-cons whose views have been totally discredited. Of course, average Americans are still ahead of you as most began to understand the stupidity of the war shortly after it began.
Today, with tens of thousands dead and wounded, our military exhausted and our treasury depleted, let's look at what we accomplished. Saddam and 100 or so of his henchmen are gone. Life in Iraq is still a day-to-day struggle. Government can't even supply electricity and water. Millions left the country and may never return.
We'll be financially and perhaps militarily involved for a couple of decades. Oh, and most importantly, we still don't have their oil.
Your parental wisdom that "Once again the U.S. learns the truth of caution—it's easier to get into a war than to get out" would have been a worthwhile stance seven years ago when it could have done some good with forming public opinion. Instead, you took the easy, popular route calling for war. Most of the American press, which I believe you identify with, failed the nation by not asking the hard questions of our decision-makers. You bought the B.S. hook, line and sinker and in joining the crazies, have helped put this nation into a decline that likely it will never recover from.
Congratulations! Is an apology ever in order?
Dennis Wright
Bellevue
Editor's note: The Express editorial board did not take the "easy" route calling for war. A review of Express editorials in late 2002 and early 2003 indicates that the editorial board took this position: If the United States is to invade Iraq, the White House should first make it clear to the public why it is necessary to do so. An editorial published on Dec. 24, 2002, stated: "Americans will willingly go to war, but only if we understand why. We're not good at blind faith. Mr. President? It's time to make the case."
On Feb. 4, 2003, the editorial board did criticize the Blaine County Commission—of which Mr. Wright was a member—for taking the "unprecedented step of opposing military action against Iraq." The editorial suggested that if the County Commission was going to weigh in on foreign policy in Iraq, it should provide a prudent alternative course of action and should not simply say "no" to a U.S. invasion.
