To the editor:

Daily it becomes more evident America is not winning its war in Iraq. This fact has nothing to do with the bravery and sacrifice of our brave young men and women who fight the war, and everything to do with those political leaders who deliberately chose to invade another sovereign country.

We fight this war of choice in a foreign land, culture and religion, which totally contradicts American democracy and political ideals. Who can blame Iraqis for hating us for the pain, misery and suffering we daily inflict by doggedly forcing democracy at the barrel of a gun, indiscriminately killing all who resist our efforts?

Neither the president nor Congress can even provide a realistic plan, definable tactics or coherent strategy for winning. There are no clear military objectives to achieve or even a definition of what “victory” is, or how “winning” is to be accomplished. The good old days of imperialism, colonialism and crusades belong to another generation and mindset; it’s a different world of antiquated time and place. There are 25 million of them and 140,000 Americans. Do the math!

Sadly, it took more than 58,000 American kids to die in Vietnam because of America’s inflexible political leaders’ ego, pride and inability to accept reality, their obstinate refusal to admit mistakes and admit they were wrong. How many more kids must die in Iraq for this superficial cause of American pride? Sadly, when it is finally all over, said and done – for nothing!

Curtis D. Bennett,

Lawrence