Military not designed as an economic prop
Amity Shlaes is an expert at cherry-picking facts and reaching conclusions without examining any contrary evidence (“Why Obama’s pullout push may harm rather than help,” Opinion, Feb. 18).
The idea that we should maintain our military bases abroad as a kind of stimulus program that helps these countries (and eventually helps us economically) is ridiculous.
Has she ever heard of China?
Saying that U.S. military bases are a primary driver of economic development is silly.
Sure, there may be some economic benefits to having these bases — just as there are economic benefits from military bases to military towns in the U.S. — but to imply that we should continue these military outposts on their supposed economic benefits, and that there is no non-military way we can provide the same benefits, is absurd.
John Mulligan, Johns Creek
Don’t meddle, just tell Iran what it’s risking
I am trying to understand why we feel it necessary to “prevent” Iran from making a nuclear weapon.
Pakistan and other countries have them.
We didn’t attack them. Nor did Israel.
I think the best thing we can do as a reigning superpower is to fully explain to the leadership and the people of Iran exactly what being in the nuclear-bomb club means.
It means that your country is a target.
If something goes off somewhere (even if it has nothing to do with the Middle East), the likelihood of Iran’s cities being destroyed is extremely high (not just bombed and ruined as we have understood bombing in the past).
Iran would, for all intents and purposes, cease to be.
The price of admission to this club is very steep.
I wonder if the people of Iran understand that.
Somehow, I doubt it — since it appears their president fails to grasp this reality.
Mac Gordon, Decatur
Writer told truth about Western hypocrisy
Regarding the letter “Israel, U.S. should point a finger at themselves” (Readers write, Opinion, Feb. 20), I say, “Amen!”
Tom Dorsey, Atlanta
Malice toward Obama unhealthy for nation
Why have so many people decided that patriotism is wanting President Obama to fail (even if it means that the United States will fail also)?
Is this patriotism or merely selfishness and the inability to grasp what would happen to the U.S.?
We have got to rise above the pettiness that seems to be afflicting so many of our countrymen.
David Clarke, Buford
