Failure in Iraq policy
Re: “A monument to confusion and death,” Jan. 17 Richard Cohen column.
Richard Cohen excuses blatant incompetence by the Bush administration by saying that “we never could have made it work.” It is one thing to fail when you put your best effort forward. It’s another thing to say, “Oh, well, we couldn’t succeed anyway.” By most accounts, the military did its job quickly and effectively and the civilian administration of the current government could not have done a worse job. The degree of corruption and incompetence from the president on down deserves scrutiny.
History is important and is our only guide to improving future performance. I had a sister die from toxic shock syndrome after poor medical care. As a physician, I know that she might have died even with the best care. Iraq may have turned out badly despite a good plan and a thoughtful approach to the realities of the Mideast. The degree of difficulty in this mission does not excuse the incompetence of the Bush administration.
Wanda J. Venters, Aurora
Intimidation of lawyers defending detainees
Re: “Intimidation of law firms is out of line,” Jan. 17 editorial.
Thank you for your strong editorial supporting the American system of justice and law firms that provide representation of Guantanamo Bay detainees.
All lawyers and all citizens of the United States should be outraged at the suggestion that only certain people are entitled to legal representation in the criminal process.
The position taken by senior Pentagon officials seeking to impose economic sanctions upon those who give their time and expertise to defend detainees at Guantanamo Bay is reprehensible. Clearly, they are trying to circumvent the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision holding the executive branch of our government bound by the rule of law.
Everyone is vulnerable when our leaders do not respect the centuries of law that have been developed to protect human rights. The Colorado Bar Association strongly supports the lawyers who provide pro bono legal representation, especially to those involved in unpopular causes. Our justice system and the freedom of each and every one of us depend on lawyers doing just this.
Elizabeth A. Starrs, President, Colorado Bar Association
Archbishop’s comments on Ritter policy
Re: “Catholic archbishop’s criticism of governor,” Jan. 17 Open Forum.
Letter-writer Suzanne LaRue implies that Archbishop Charles Chaput shouldn’t be speaking on public policy. I strongly disagree. When public policy directly conflicts with one of the Ten Commandments, “Thou shall not kill,” the archbishop not only has the right but the duty to speak out. Public servants who call themselves Catholic but make up their own rules on such serious issues as abortion send confusing messages to Catholics and non-Catholics alike, and it is up to the leader of our diocese to set things strait. I’m grateful for Archbishop Chaput’s faithful leadership.
Kathy Cain, Yampa
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Archbishop Charles Chaput has called pro-life Gov. Bill Ritter’s pledge to lift eligibility restrictions on state-funded pregnancy prevention and family-planning programs “seriously flawed public policy.” Yet, trying to influence public servants is seriously flawed religious doctrine.
Responsible pro-lifers recognize that change in attitudes that will affect change in behavior does not happen overnight. Indeed, it took 77 generations and thousands of years in the Old Testament for God’s children to prepare themselves to receive His Son with open hearts and minds. Even if it took only 100 years to get people to “just say no” to sex outside of marriage, the interim societal cost of another century of sexual disease, emotional dysfunction and unwanted pregnancies would be truly staggering.
Tom Cladis, Denver
