Letters to the editor

	SALAH MALKAWI / GETTY IMAGES Jim McDermott in Baghdad last year, in front of a poster of pre-deposed Saddam.
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MEASURE OF MCDERMOTT

Constituents' concerns are not the focus of representative's efforts

Editor, The Times:

Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., has done it again — embarrassed the Seattle area and Washington with his (ill-considered) comments ("Democrat McDermott again in hot water over Saddam comments," Times page one, Dec. 15).

How long are we going to let this person represent us? He knowingly broke the law in his official capacity when he released Newt Gingirch's secretly recorded conversations to the press. He deliberately ridiculed and embarrassed our country as a traveler in Iraq when he should have acted as a diplomat. And now, he has stated that the capture of Saddam Hussein was timed to suit the Bush administration's political agenda.

We welcome letters of 200 words or fewer. Include your full name, address and telephone number for verification. Letters become the property of The Times and may be edited for publication.

Why do we continue to allow McDermott to represent us? What benefits has he brought to our state that another elected official could not have? I have watched our state jobs go overseas without any action or reaction from him. I have seen significant unemployment in our city and state, yet have seen no plan by him to help us. I know that he is voting on national issues basically on a Democratic Party line, but is that always in the best interest of our state?

Can't we elect someone who could represent us better? Represent our state? Help our state? What does he do for us?
John Arthur Thornquist, Seattle

Fringe benefits

To suggest that the capture of Saddam Insane — uh, Saddam Hussein — was delayed for political benefit for the president is ignorant, ignominious and inexcusable.

Such egregious and reprehensible conduct should result in Jim McDermott's immediate recall, or at minimum, in his defeat the next time he stands for re-election. If he had to face the voters of the state outside the liberal bastion of Seattle, he never would be elected. He is not a congressman representing the state of Washington. He is the congressman for the special interests and politically-correct groups that inhabit the environs of Seattle.
Georg Bolch, Suquamish

Repudiating the troops

In response to Rep. Jim McDermott: One has to wonder what planet he is on. To imply that Saddam Hussein's capture was timed to help the president's image is preposterous. The assertion is way off.

The comment is a slap in the face to those who fought and died to get to where the war effort is today.

I am convinced that all Democrats, including the representative, hate our president so much that they will say anything to discredit him or the war. The Democrats know that if they want a chance in 2004, the war must go bad, the economy fall and unemployment has to rise. If the country has to falter to make their party look good, then who has our best interest in mind?

The people of Washington deserve better.
Gordon Whitcomb, Seattle

For the good of the country

To the people of Washington state: I feel your pain, having an ultra-liberal senator like Tom Harkin in Iowa is almost as embarrassing as having a congressman like Jim McDermott. It seems as though every time they open their mouths, drivel comes forth. To come up with a hare-brained conspiracy theory about the timing of the capture of Saddam Hussein is really over the top.

McDermott should apologize to the president, his constituents and the rest of the country, and then quietly remove himself from office. It is clear that his hatred for the president has clouded his thinking to where he is unable to make sound decisions required of a congressman in our nation's capital.
Brian Cole, West Des Moines, Iowa

Pre-emptive self-defense

Contrary to state Republican Party Chairman Chris Vance's statement regarding Rep. Jim McDermott's questioning of the timing of the capture of Saddam Hussein, it is in fact the Republican Party that continues not only to be an embarrassment to the state of Washington but to the entire nation and ultimately the world ("McDermott questions timing of arrest," Local News, Dec. 16).

Everything the Republican Party does these days has nothing to do with government and everything to do with opportunistic, partisan politics. After all the lies we've been fed by the Bush administration, it's now only natural to believe that the capture of Saddam was another political opportunity to boost Bush's sagging ratings in the polls and to bump (Democratic presidential candidate) Howard Dean from the cover of Newsweek.

McDermott is one of the few men in this country who truly have the (intestinal fortitude) to stand up and point out that with each passing day this country is becoming less about "of the people, by the people and for the people," and more about totalitarianism and the furthering of Bush's unconstitutional agenda.

The one thing that can be said in Saddam's favor is that at least he was willing to negotiate, both before we attacked Iraq and while he was being captured ("Soldier nearly threw grenade into hideout," page one, Dec. 16). Bush, on the other hand, will never negotiate with the people of this country or the rest of the world. You're either with him or against him and I, for one, am very against him.
Robert Couillard, Seattle

DIVERSION EXCURSION

Back to the front

Now that United States military forces in Iraq, with help from the United States intelligence community, have run Saddam Hussein to ground for George W. Bush, could we please get back to the Real War Against Terror?

Could we please get back to a full-force search for Osama bin Laden?

Could we please find out why we were caught with our pants down on Sept. 11, 2001?

Could we please start to deal with financing by Saudi Arabia of anti-American schools of terrorism around the world?
Karen Hedwig Backman, Federal Way

HOILDAY CARD

The King of Diamonds

With the capture of Saddam Hussein, news reports say the nation's retailers expect a surge in holiday spending.

Apparently, we're a happier lot because of it.

I know I've been waiting for them to capture the Butcher of Baghdad before my shopping spree at Tiffany. Guess I have no excuse now.
Faren Bachelis, Shoreline

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