To the editor:

The debates and interviews of candidates seeking to become president are giving us some idea of what to expect from each of them if elected.

Sen. John McCain, but not he alone, is sounding like he wants to continue on the same destructive path of President Bush and become our next war president.

Bush and McCain are both misguided in their lack of understanding that our unwanted meddling and warfare in the Middle East will not bring lasting peace and stability to that region. By now we should know that military pounding of insurgents into submission, especially inside a country lacking unity and peace among themselves, cannot be productive nor will it make us safer here at home. Such actions will result in only greater perpetual conflict, widespread retaliation, death and suffering.

Listen instead to candidates who are more insightful and creative in developing effective, but less warlike, proposals that attempt to facilitate resolution of political, ideological, cultural and religious conflicts in Iraq. Let us not repeat mistakes that will produce more terrorists and insurgents beyond what our current president has already managed to do over the past seven years by his shallow understanding of the Middle East.

It is extremely important that we elect a new president in November who is clear thinking and competent to deal wisely with the debacle of the Iraq war.

Donald Moss,

Lawrence