LETTERS: POOR GRASP OF DUTY AND HISTORY

To the editor:

I'm not sure what to make of Peter Kinder's concluding remarks about the Marines in his Feb. 8 column. It appears he has a poor grasp of recent history, presidential duties and military professionalism. If he meant to question the president's use of the Marines, I hope (but seriously doubt) that he was a critical of Ronald Reagan's deployment of Marines to Lebanon where more than 240 died in 1983.

If Kinder is questioning the buildup of American forces in response to Saddam Hussein's recent transgressions, then perhaps he should be reminded that the previous administrations bear a portion of responsibility for the current situation in the Persian Gulf. With its ties to the Soviet Union and Saddam's treachery well known, Iraq deserved a place in the same category as Libya, Iran and other terrorist nations that posed a threat to the United States. Instead, the Reagan and Bush administrations as late as 1989 courted favor, allowed trade and even shared intelligence information with Iraq. Now we face the possibility of yet another war because Saddam Hussein's ability to maintain power and accumulate weapons of mass destruction was underestimated for too long.

In regard to the Lewinsky case, nothing that transpires from the investigation should influence American diplomatic and military decisions in any way. Like it or not, it is Clinton's duty as the legally elected commander-in-chief to order military action when necessary until he leaves office. I suppose Kinder would prefer that all international crises not be addressed until the scandals in Washington, D.C., are resolved.

Finally, while the circus in our nation's capital may be a topic of discussion among Marines bound for the Middle East, I doubt that it has much of an impact on their daily activities. I'm certain that the Marines have their minds on the mission at hand and that they will perform in their usual exemplary manner, regardless of their personal opinions of Clinton.

Then again, Kinder may have needed a dramatic way to wrap up his column and, instead of thinking of something more original, took a line from a John Wayne movie. I was pleased to see elsewhere in the column that Kinder is a Bob Kerrey fan. Maybe he will join me in supporting Senator Kerrey if he decided to run for president in two years.

RICH BOHN

Scott City