Stars and Stripes letter: (US) 'Hero' image a myth

[lebkuchen]

‘Hero’ image a myth

The letter “Iraqis must help themselves” (Nov. 12) suggested that countries critical of the coalition forces’ liberation of Iraq are in some way indirectly responsible for the deaths of thousands of Iraqi civilians.

The writer was quick to label such critics as being guilty of providing weapons and training to Iraq. This may indeed be the case. However, would the writer be so keen to put America on the chopping block? After all, it was the Reagan and first Bush administrations that provided Osama bin Laden with the necessary training with which to form al-Qaida and further the necessary funds with which to carry out this training. Is America therefore indirectly responsible for the deaths of thousands of Afghans, not to mention the 3,000 killed on Sept. 11, 2001?

Please cease all of this sentimental, patriotic claptrap that sees America painted as, once again, the conquering hero.

Clementine Ford
Naha, Okinawa, Japan

http://estripes.com/article.asp?section=125&article=18795

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1. Gee

I am surprised Stars and Stripes would print that. It's a sad day in the country when the Stars and Stripes is considered a more honest pubilcation than corporate owned newspapers.

[lebkuchen]

2. Stripes has had many letters over the past year or more critical of Bush

et al

He has lost the military vote. Now he has to cheat more than ever to win in 2004.