Applying the Golden Rule in Iraq

Re “Down the Sewer to Abu Ghraib,” Commentary, May 26: Rebecca Hagelin points out that Americans in the past were taught to treat others as we would wish to be treated and then focuses blame for our current actions on the use of sex in popular culture to sell products.

Although popular culture is to blame, she totally fails to account for another part of popular culture: the glorification of violence and the demonizing of anyone who does not conform to one’s chosen brand of “group thinking.” Hagelin notes that while we have “been busy fighting enemies around the world,” we have rotted at home. This points to the simple fact that Hagelin has thrown out the Golden Rule herself: Treat others as you wish to be treated. Why do we have so many enemies?

Lawrence Turner

Glendora

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Re “U.S. Says Signs Point to Summer Terrorism Plot,” May 26: It’s early for the Bushites to pull the terrorist scare tactic. That would be more useful and effective, say, about August, or Labor Day. Remind us of what a staunch “stay the course” president we have, and never mind that he hasn’t a clue about how to tamp down the rage and resentment in the Middle East.

David O. Kase

Palos Verdes Estates

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Re “U.S. Emphasizes Intent to Transfer Full Power to Iraqis -- With Limits,” May 26: President Bush talks about Iraqi sovereignty with a wink. Even Prime Minister Tony Blair is in disagreement over the transfer of real governing (including military) control to the Iraqis themselves. We cannot have it both ways. The disarray in this administration’s foreign policy is alarming.

Manuel E. Nunes

Garden Grove

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Re “Iraq Could Force Blair Into Twilight,” Commentary, May 25: So “each incident -- each bombing, each U.S. attack on a town and each new photographic revelation of abuse -- prompts Britons to reassess the original decision to go to war”?

And what do they think when they read about the Iraqi schools being rebuilt, school supplies donated by the American people and flown free of charge by FedEx directly into Iraq, the hospitals being reopened and the oil being pumped into the economy? Oh, that’s right

Having lived among the British people for five years, I know they would at least find this deception distasteful. As an American, I find it downright intolerable. Those in the press should “reassess” their decision to make certain that Bush and Blair lose this war.

Maryann Grau

South Pasadena

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If this administration thinks all of the disparate tribes in Iraq are all going to live together peacefully and form a democracy, it is thinking wishfully. I’m afraid our troops will be in Iraq indefinitely and will die trying to keep the peace. I am beginning to think that the only person who can govern these people is Saddam Hussein.

Victoria Miller

Pasadena