To the editor:

President Kennedy once said, “We should never negotiate out of fear, but we should never fear to negotiate.” President Bush now acknowledges the situation in Iraq is a mess. Even worse would be a scenario where neighboring countries become embroiled into a regional or world conflict.

In this light, I found it deeply disappointing that Secretary of State Rice said to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Thursday that the United States would not negotiate with other countries in the Middle East because we might be seen as supplicants (asking for help).

Now I’ve had times in my life where it was darned important to admit I had a problem and ask for some help. It was hard, I had to swallow some pride, but I’m a better person for it. Is this Bush administration truly admitting there is a problem in Iraq and the Middle East? Are they afraid of what others may say if they admit mistakes and blunders? An arrogant Bush Administration chose to ignore the United Nations and the world community in order to invade a nation that was never a threat to its neighbors or the United States. There are countries that hate us and will do us harm. There are countries that are not unhappy to see us hamstrung by Iraq. There are more countries that have the same interest as us in keeping the Middle East from exploding. Mr. President, admit your mistakes, admit you have a problem. Ask for help.

Daniel Patrick Schamle,

Lawrence