LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Democrats dissembling on Iraq & Iran

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A letter-writer from Los Angeles who is in a state of "depression regarding the state of the American political process and the ignorance of the American public" praised David Gardner's recent analysis of the disaster the U.S. has created in Iraq and wondered why "the so-called political opponents of the war (read: many Democrats)" fail to "outline the points of Mr. Gardner's article."[1]  --  His conclusion:  "[T]he main reason is that it is politically expedient to cast Iran as the enemy.  Also, it is politically expedient to turn a blind eye regarding our Sunni 'friends' in the region.  So the U.S. continues wrapped in a cloak of ignorance that guarantees that whatever we do next will continue to work against the interest of the U.S." ...

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U.S. WRAPPED IN A CLOAK OF IGNORANCE OVER IRAQ
By Eden R. Warner

Financial Times (UK)
August 16, 2007

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/7a845c1c-4b91-11dc-861a-0000779fd2ac.html

Sir,

David Gardner's "Lost in Iraq" (August 10) was an excellent commentary summing up what should be one of the most embarrassing military actions in recent U.S. history. He hit most of the buttons and should be applauded. The only point I wish he had addressed is that during the first "Gulf War" the U.S. clearly understood the stabilizing effect Saddam Hussein (despot for sure) had in the region.

Even so, I must admit it just deepens my depression regarding the state of the American political process and the ignorance of the American public. For example, it would make sense for the so-called political opponents of the war (read: many Democrats) to outline the points of Mr. Gardner's article. So why don't they? Is it because they don't agree with it? Could be, but unlikely. Is it because they don't know? Greater possibility, but unlikely. No, the main reason is that it is politically expedient to cast Iran as the enemy. Also, it is politically expedient to turn a blind eye regarding our Sunni "friends" in the region. So the U.S. continues wrapped in a cloak of ignorance that guarantees that whatever we do next will continue to work against the interest of the U.S.

Notwithstanding my depression, I can still stand up and salute an effort like Mr Gardner's to shed light on this mess.

Eden R. Warner,

Los Angeles, CA 90056, US