Republicans’ war strategy

Re “GOP Leaders Are Hoping to Turn the War Into a Winner,” Aug. 8

I’m appalled, though by now I guess I shouldn’t be, that Republican strategists think war will excite their base and benefit them in the November congressional elections, according to their latest strategy memo. These guys evidently think they can spin anything -- even war, with tens of thousands of Lebanese, Palestinians, Iraqis, Israelis and Americans being killed, maimed and driven from their homes right now in the Middle East -- to their political benefit.

These people are a menace to our country and the world. Each and every American with a less cynical, dystopian view of the world needs to take personal responsibility to pressure elected officials to change our country’s foreign policy from preemptive war and unilateralist threats to international cooperation, diplomacy and human rights, the only path to real peace and security for our country and the world.

KEVIN MARTIN

Executive Director

Peace Action and

Peace Action Education Fund

Silver Spring, Md.

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The Times shows poor form when it directly quotes such GOP leaders as Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman using the term “Democrat Party” without adding (sic) to the quote. The party to which he and others refer is the Democratic Party. The use of “Democrat Party” is an immature, rude and cynical political ploy, and The Times should not dignify it by leaving out the (sic).

FRED BARKER

Burbank