U.S., North Korea Move in a Reckless Game

Re “North Korea Ratchets Up Its Nuclear Efforts,” Dec. 23: I hope the Bush administration listens to the voices of reason, experience and statesmanship, Sens. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.) and Joseph L. Biden Jr. (D-Del.), in dealing with North Korea. Both senators know that diplomacy is what makes this world a safer place. “We’re all going to have to talk, talk continuously,” Lugar said.

As the U.S. prepares for a war in Iraq while foolishly believing that the rest of the world will be supportive, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld boasts how the U.S. can win wars in North Korea and Iraq at the same time, a reckless strategy of intimidation. What the members of this administration need to understand, if it’s not too late, is that perception is everything. They need to take it seriously when other countries feel threatened by us, have the maturity not to take it personally and tap into the wisdom of a peaceful approach. They have a responsibility to work diplomatically, ease tensions and build relationships. It’s a lot cheaper than a faulty missile defense system and a lot safer than risking the lives of countless civilians and those in our armed forces.

Mitch O’Farrell

Glassell Park

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“Military Action Possible, U.S. Warns N. Korea” (Dec. 24)convinced me that the administration has gone over the edge. I believe that the current gang in Washington is a dangerous threat to mankind, and if Congress had a backbone it would consider impeachment.

It is we, not Iraq, who should not be trusted to possess weapons of mass destruction. Who are we going after next? Zambia, Nigeria, Haiti?

Russell Blinick

Chatsworth

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It is indeed arrogant and, yes, ignorant, for Rumsfeld to threaten North Korea with swift defeat. North Korea is no Iraq. That is why we treat it with kid gloves and Iraq with an iron fist.

Our 37,000 troops in South Korea are in extreme danger if North Korea delivers on its threat of “uncontrollable catastrophe.” This administration’s hawks have managed to do the impossible; this is the first time in the last 54 years that both Koreas are united over one thing -- anger and hate toward the U.S.

Basim Zakaria

Las Vegas

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Re “S. Koreans Shrug Off Nuclear Threat,” Dec. 26: The South Korean attitude underscores that famous phrase: “There is nothing ‘free’ in freedom.” They may be right that North Korea is no threat. If it were to drop a nuclear bomb on the South, it would do as much harm to itself, via the fallout. Still, history demonstrates that nut cases as heads of state have problems embracing rational thinking. In the final analysis, it will be South Korea as the guinea pig to test this novel geopolitical theory and their lives and freedom to win or lose, not ours.

Bring our troops home and let them figure that out for themselves. It’s no wonder that our best friends in the world are in Eastern Europe, people who know all too well the price of freedom.

Maude Ham

Burbank