Letter: Leave decisions about defense to professionals

Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2001 | 8:45 a.m.

Charles Levendosky, in his Oct. 5 column, "Media, Pentagon redefine relationship," says not once, but twice, that our government must rely on "stealth" in the campaign against terrorism. He also acknowledges that "... the American public will, by necessity, only find out about these incursions ... after the fact."

He then contradicts himself by saying that "Stealth cannot be a rationale for ... no independent news coverage." And he finishes by stating that "The media ... provide our citizens with information so that they can make their own decisions ..."

I agree with his first two statements; the contradiction borders on stupidity! The writer seems to feel that the public should be privy to the stealthy actions undertaken by our government in the "campaign." I hope that I am not the first to remind him that our enemies also access our media, and that they welcome warning of our movements. Does he not recall posters displayed during World War II with warnings such as, "Loose lips sink ships?"

His closing statement is ludicrous! Perhaps he believes that our citizens should study the "information," "make their own decisions," and then vote on what to do next? Surely we're better served by leaving decisions to those who have the counsel of men and women far better qualified than the great majority of us.

Of course I want to know what happened. After it happens!

B. E. WHITAKER