The Pope’s Criticism of the Iraq War

Robert Scheer proves that his hypocrisy knows no bounds. In his April 12 commentary (“The Pope Pleaded. We Didn’t Listen.”), Scheer jumps at the opportunity to again criticize President Bush over Iraq. “The pope strongly opposed Bush over Iraq,” he whines. It’s just too bad that Scheer won’t be able to use the dead pope’s statements to criticize Bush the next time he writes a column about those nasty right-wing, antiabortion folks in Washington.

Pope John Paul II had opinions about many international events and causes during his 26 years in office. To pick the opinion that suits his own mind-set on one issue and ignore the rest of them is grossly disingenuous.

James Magnuson

Lake Arrowhead

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Scheer has spoken out to say what others ignore. John Paul II was passionate in his hatred of war and his pressing for peaceful negotiations. If we had listened to him, we would not be mourning over 1,500 men and women, tending over 9,000 wounded as well as causing this same pain to thousands of Iraqi families we “liberated.” Pope John Paul II had a view of the whole world, which we would have done well to heed.

Mary C. Finan

La Mirada

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Scheer doesn’t get it. We have a great victory in Iraq and Bush-hater Scheer is left behind in his moaning over a remarkable and magnificent effort to coincidently democratize a nation subject to dictatorship and drive a stake in the heart of the terrorist propensity of the Middle East. Scheer should wake up to the new reality of freedom gaining hold in the ancient “cradle of civilization.”

Otis Page

Arroyo Grande

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In addition to Scheer highlighting the pope’s opposition to the U.S.-led war in Iraq, we should also not let it be “conveniently ignored” that the pope was strongly and vocally against the U.S. embargo of Cuba, especially since his visit there in 1998.

The pope called for an end to the embargo to allow Cuba to participate in the international dialogue on “true” development, a form of development that he said “leads to peace.” The pope understood that a Third World country that can provide 100% access to healthcare and education to its population, as well as electricity, water and sanitation to over 95%, and a lifesaving national disaster preparedness and response program, is a country whose example should not be ignored, let alone embargoed.

A nationwide coalition of groups calling for an end to the embargo and travel restrictions against Cuba will be converging in Washington April 27-29.

Rachel Bruhnke

San Pedro