Letter: War in Iraq was not justified

Wednesday, March 24, 2004 | 9:21 a.m.

In her Feb. 24 letter, Billie Peel asked us not to forget our feelings about 9-11 when considering the re-election of George W. Bush. I agree, but my feelings are based on the facts of the situation, not on media hype or political distortions.

The facts are that the fledgling Bush administration had ample warning about potential terrorist activities against the U.S., including briefings by President Clinton's national security adviser Sandy Berger, a personal warning from Berger to his successor Condoleezza Rice, and the well-researched Hart-Rudman report, which recommended, among other things, the formation of a National Homeland Security Agency. The Bush administration, however, decided to do nothing substantial until forced to do so by the tragedy of 9-11.

After 9-11 forced his hand, Bush decided, with justification, to attack Afghanistan. But then he overshadowed any legitimate anti-terrorist efforts by attacking Iraq without adequate justification and based on lies to the American public. Iraq had no ties to the 9-11 incident and had done no harm to the U.S., yet money, personnel, and public attention were diverted to that arena and away from more legitimate anti-terrorism targets.

I do plan to remember George W. Bush at election time -- by working diligently for whoever runs against him.

WALLACE J. HENKELMAN