Bush administration deserves much of the credit Re: “Yes, you read this right,” Sound Bites, May 3
Rush Limbaugh’s quote at the top of Tuesday’s :Sound Bites” was extremely sarcastic. President Obama took a great deal of credit for actions that rightly belong to others, including former President George W. Bush, former Vice President Dick Cheney, the CIA, and the U.S. military.
It’s also clear that Obama was using the whole episode as an election booster. Just look at the amount of information on the raid’s preliminaries that was released, especially the intelligence assets, the methods and tactics used, and the nature of the assault teams.
Now al Qaeda has a perfect “lessons learned” primer to use in the future.
Paul Blase
Alexandria
Osama capture gives U.S. chance to revamp image
Re: “Bin Laden could run but he couldn’t hide from the U.S.,” Editorial, May 2
After almost 10 years, U.S. forces have succeeded in locating and killing Osama bin Laden. To be sure, there are still tough days ahead in the fight against terrorist groups, but this is a great victory, the end of an era.
It is now up to President Obama to begin the new era. But a conventional escalation of the war on terror, as many have advocated, would not be the answer.
Bin Laden’s death was the result of a successful strike by intelligence and special ops forces, not the outcome of the deployment of thousands of coalition troops costing billions of dollars. Intensifying counterterrorism cooperation around the world will shore up American security, while maintaining the scheduled withdrawal of troops at the end of 2011 will construct closer relationships in the Middle East.
Bin Laden’s death is being celebrated both in the West and elsewhere. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are among those applauding this victory. Their approval provides a platform for regional change while giving President Obama a chance to revamp America’s image abroad.
Keep to the plan. Intensify intelligence operations, bring the troops home on time, save billions … and get re-elected.
Christopher Whyte
Arlington
Sentencing judges disregard the people’s will
Re: “Maryland judges slash sentences,” May 2
This article really hit home. My family has been victimized by judges who simply substituted their own views for the laws passed by the Maryland General Assembly while totally disregarding relevant facts.
Every year in Annapolis, hearings on bills that attempt to place limits on judicial discretion are attended by public defenders and “civil liberties” advocates who insist that there should be no limitation on the discretion of judges. But they fail to consider the fact that unaccountable judges do not have the unlimited right to substitute their judgment for that of elected public officials or the citizenry.
Ours is a government of checks and balances among the branches of government. Sentence reductions are an abuse of this balance, and should be discontinued.
James Coyle
Hagerstown
