Letter: Better military leaders needed

Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004 | 9:34 a.m.

I watch the news on a regular basis about the war in Iraq and I see and hear about the terrorists kidnapping innocent American, British and coalition personnel who are being maimed, tortured, dragged through the streets, beheaded and hung from bridges for all the world to see.

An American soldier during a battle kills a terrorist and this becomes a headline for days and maybe even for weeks to come while he is investigated. When will the American people stand behind our young men and women who are in harm's way? Not since World War II have Americans as a whole rallied behind their military members, who have fought and died for their rights to speak as I am speaking out today.

I think the news media should be kept away from the front lines of the battlefields until the battle is over. What we need in Iraq today is a general in control, such as Gen. Douglas MacArthur or Gen. George Patton -- a leader who is not afraid to take command and who would use the weapons he has available to him to end this terrible war. To hell with what the rest of the world thinks. Bring our people home and start protecting our own borders.

Had we had this kind of leadership from the beginning, when President Bush landed on the aircraft carrier and announced the war in Iraq was over, he would have been right on the money.

EUGENE S. EICHELBERGER