To the editor:

When will we start listening to our president? Following Sept. 11, 2001, we were told Iraq harbored al-Qaida. We were told Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction. We were told we would be welcomed as liberators in Iraq. We were told the insurgency was waning. We were told we needed to fight the terrorists in Iraq so we would not have to fight them at home. We were told we do not torture detainees. We were told Karl Rove had “absolutely nothing to do” with the CIA leak. We were told “Mission Accomplished.”

Then we learned there was no connection between Iraq and al-Qaida. Then we learned Saddam had no weapons of mass destruction. Then we learned we were not welcomed as liberators. Then we learned the insurgency was growing in strength. Then we learned that, although we were not attacked at home, our only major ally had been attacked. Then we learned we tortured detainees. Then we learned Rove did have something to do with the CIA leak. Then we learned we must stay in Iraq until the mission is completed.

Our president has been wrong so many times on issues of national security, it is impossible to believe many Americans continue to listen to him, and it has become dangerous to continue to believe in him. If we do not listen, certainly nobody around the world will listen. We will start listening when we find someone worth listening to.

Matt Lehrman,

Lawrence