Madam, - In response to Jerry Crowley (October 19th), is it really so bad if "the chief business of the American people is business"? Better business than racial purity, the dictatorship of the proletariat, the thoughts of Chairman Mao, or any ideology of the US's past rivals.
Ultimately, war is bad for business, and the long-term interests of the United States will always dictate peace, unless its very existence is at stake.
It is not even plausible that the needs of "business" drove the US into Iraq. If that were the case, the US would not now be pouring billions of dollars into the country for little or no return. Rather, the invasion of Iraq was meant to stabilise the Middle East by changing the balance of power permanently in favour of Israel and the US. That strategy was muddled in the first place, and then made worse by incompetent execution. The Bush administration should be punished for its blundering, and the return of a more capable administration might begin a more hopeful era for the Middle East.
John Kerry should be putting forward more positive policies to extricate the US from Iraq, but precipitate withdrawal would be disastrous, in particular for the Iraqis themselves. Better to make it clear that the US no longer seeks a radical shift in the Middle East balance of power - i.e., an Iraq favourable to Israel. It should declare no interest in maintaining long-term bases, apart perhaps from Kurdistan where the people are favourably disposed. Except for the most extreme terrorists such as Zarqawi and his followers, it should seek truces and electoral participation for all other groups. It should make it clear that it will seek a solution to the Palestinian problem along the lines of the Taba discussions during Bill Clinton's term as President. John Kerry is right to look for more allied and UN involvement, but that will only be gained with a policy like the one previously outlined.
It is true that Kerry has fudged these issues, but the terms of the debate has been dictated by the incumbent, and minimalist practical politics should rule the challenger's statements. Howard Dean may have been a lion, but a live donkey is worth more than a dead lion. - Yours, etc.,
TOBY JOYCE,
Navan,
Co Meath.