Do the math

To the Editor:



I do not count myself an expert in foreign affairs and the abstruse, arcane and mystical world of geo-politics. Some I know. Some who work for your publication.

I am, however, more modest about my powers of observation and analysis so far from the conflict and the centres of power. But I can count. And this simple ability leads me to a simple question about the war against Iraq.

Fact: the US invasion and occupation of Iraq has now murdered at least 600,000 people. Fact: the number of people who died at the hands of Saddam Hussein is numbered at 300,000.

Question: By what special calculus does killing 600,000 to punish a man who killed 300,000 add up to justice?

How can it be anything but a full frontal assault on our ability to reason and on our double desire to lessen both the misery in the world and the rightful guilt and shame we all bear for letting the murder of the innocents go on in our name.



Skip Hambling

Delhaven