Letter: Conflict in Middle East is inevitable

Friday, Dec. 30, 2005 | 7:52 a.m.

In one of the president's recent speeches, he said Americans are asking whether Iraq is worth the sacrifice -- and then he continued to tell us why he thinks it is. However, if you could read his body language, it tells us he couldn't care less about what anyone is thinking. He has his own agenda, and his ego will not allow him to tell the truth.

Bush says we won't accept anything but complete victory. I don't know what constitutes victory in his mind, and I seriously doubt he has a clue either.

People have been fighting in the Middle East for thousands of years, to no avail. Does anyone think it will end soon? I certainly don't.

There is simply too much bad blood between them created by religion, political factions and ignorance. Until the world learns that wars, won or lost, solve and accomplish nothing, the politicians will continue to put somebody else's children in harm's way, for their capital gain.

How can we be so arrogant as to force our way of life on others? The president of the United States has an obligation to the welfare of its own citizens first. We have our own act to clean up before we tell others how to govern themselves.

Now that Saddam has been removed, let Iraqis form a government that will suit their way of life. I think a civil war will break out whenever we leave, be it now or 20 years from now.

Shel Berlatsky

Las Vegas