To the editor:

Recent reactions by political and military leaders to criticism against the war in Iraq have left me questioning my sense of patriotism. According to some, criticism against the war undermines military operations in Iraq and damages patriotism. Would someone please explain to me the logic behind this claim?

The last time I checked, America is a democratic, not a totalitarian, state. Since President George Bush’s administration has promoted democracy as one of several questionable reasons to dismantle Saddam Hussein’s regime, I would think his political and military advisers would be celebrating, not berating those who are exercising the democratic freedoms entitled to them by the U.S. Constitution.

Recent whining by Joint Chiefs Chairman Richard Myers and some GOP leaders has reminded me of children on a school playground: “Mrs. Johnson, Bobby’s picking on me!” Are Americans so passive and content that decisions made by our leaders should go unquestioned and, even worse, uncriticized? Not if we are to remain a democratic nation.

Success in Iraq is not going to be measured by removal of Saddam Hussein’s regime. It will be measured by how the country is reconstructed once that regime is removed. If our leaders can’t start behaving like competent adults, I question how America will ever be successful in Iraq.

Dylan Rassier,

Lawrence