China Spy Plane

* Re “Smugness Means Never Deigning to Say ‘Sorry,’ ” Commentary, April 5: Despite Chalmers Johnson’s views of America’s smugness, the China spy plane issue comes down to three things. First, our plane was over international waters and lacked the maneuverability to “sharply veer” into another aircraft. (It wasn’t our fault.)

Second, one shouldn’t apologize when one isn’t at fault just to keep the peace. (Unless you’re married.) Finally, regardless of fault, China should have promptly returned our plane and the crew. And Johnson says America hasn’t handled the situation well? Too bad Johnson wasn’t on that flight.

ERIK CALCOTT

Long Beach