If White House had empathy, we wouldn’t need Iraq Plan B

(Regarding column, “Plan B for Iraq policy: a 60-day bipartisan initiative,” April 25.) This sounds like a well-thought-out plan that could help to solve the problems in Iraq. Someone needs to take the bull by the horns and put some pressure on Bush to quit being so obstinate, arrogant and self-righteous and to start listening. It makes one think that maybe he doesn’t want it to end, since there is no way to win it without diplomacy and a massive effort to engage the Iraqi people. No one likes being a pawn on a chess board, and being terrified for you and your family every minute of every day is a terrible way to live.
What is missing in this administration is empathy; they cannot feel what it is like to live that way while they are in their protected bunkers, never having to face any kind of danger like going to war, which they all studiously avoided.

~From Colleen Farlee, Bloomington, Ill.

Here’s Plan C

Here’s Plan C: If we can make this war last for a few more years, all the Iraq residents able to fight to get us out will be dead, so we can take it over and will have oil for our SUVs and pickups.

~From Jim Menzel, Stevens Point, Wis.

Good ol’ Gonzales

(Regarding article, “Gov. Richardson ‘pretty close’ to calling for Gonzales to resign,” April 18.) So, Richardson says that if Gonzales was black or white or another race, he would ask for him to resign, but since he’s Hispanic he will protect the good ol’ boys. Sounds like Richardson would make another s—y president, just behind that war-lover McCain.

~From Gordon Conrad, Boise, Idaho

We the Sheeple

(Regarding article, “House Dems secure win on D.C. voting rights bill,” April 20.)

The sheeple of America graze mindlessly, awaiting their proverbial slaughter via Congress’s erosion of law. A fiat decree passed the House — a bill allotting the District of Columbia one House seat. …

A blood-bought document called the Constitution was willfully violated. Only states shall have House representatives. A constitutional provision was made to establish a seat for our federal government, and Maryland and Virginia freely ceded to the U.S. government a portion of their lands for the establishment of our nation’s capital. The Founders of this Republic didn’t view Washington, D.C., as a state, and therefore did not intend for D.C. to have House representatives or Senators.

If this usurpation of the Constitution is made law, it won’t be long before demands are made for two senators to be allotted to D.C. Listen up: Three more electoral votes could be in play in 2008 and beyond. Do you smell the stench of Democratic desperation?

The correct way for D.C. to be allotted House and Senate members is to amend the Constitution. …

~From John Salsgiver, Ford City, Pa.