Actions alienate American friends

To the editor:

On Saturday's Opinion page, Gary Rust quotes from a letter that he says is "a little slanted, but ... something to think about." Among other claims, the letter states, "In the two years since terrorists attacked us, President Bush has liberated two countries, crushed the Taliban, crippled al-Qaida, put nuclear inspectors in Libya, Iran and North Korea without firing a shot ... ."

One way to think about this letter might be to check Missourian headlines for Saturday and the three preceding days: "Al-Qaida plans chemical, biological strike on U.S., official says." "New photos, testimony detail more prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib site." "Car bomb kills 4, injures Iraqi minister." "Iraqis, U.S. dispute air attack."

Add in the fact that negotiations for ending Libya's terrorist activities were completed months before George Bush was sworn in and we aren't left with much to think about except to wonder at how we've managed to alienate so many old friends and create so many new enemies in only two years.

IDA DOMAZLICKY

Cape Girardeau