To the editor:

Since history teaches lessons, nations should avoid repeating their mistakes.

After World War I, the Treaty of Versailles, which included the League of Nations covenant, was approved by the Big Four victors. Unfortunately, President Wilson failed to get Senate treaty ratification because of Republican opposition led by Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge. After World War II, the United States, with strong bipartisan support launched the United Nations. History’s lesson had been learned. Sadly, in 2003 President Bush defied the United Nations to attack Iraq. History’s lesson was forgotten.

History teaches nations to be kind to defeated enemies. After World War I, defeated Germany was required to make huge reparation payments and received no help. Appealing to German frustration, Hitler’s Nazi movement flourished and soon overthrew the Weimar Republic. World War II resulted.

After World War II, President Truman and Congress initiated the bipartisan Marshall Plan to rebuild war devastated countries including our defeated enemies, Germany, Italy and Japan. These former enemies became our friends and members of the United Nations.

In 1950, military action to repel North Korea’s aggression against South Korea was authorized by the United Nations and had broad international support.

When Bush intervened in Iraq, he had learned nothing from our terrible mistake of intervening in Vietnam.

As a Christian, I pray for the election of a president who will respect and cooperate with the United Nations and who will seek the friendship of all countries — even those now hostile.

John A. Bond,

Lawrence