Military’s Readiness and Deception

Re “Rumsfeld Encounters Friendly Fire,” Dec. 9: Speaking before an audience of servicemen in Kuwait, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld answered their justifiable frustrations concerning the fact their vehicles weren’t properly armored, responding: “You go to war with the army you have. They’re not the army you might want.”

As if it’s some surprise that we would need armored vehicles in a war. Considering the administration knew for nearly two years that the U.S. would be launching a preemptive war, maybe we could have taken some steps to make the Army closer to the one you would want.

Bill Daly

Woodland Hills

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If Rumsfeld had been a CEO addressing his stockholders rather than the secretary of Defense preparing to send his troops into combat, one can only imagine how swiftly he would have been cashiered for responding with bromides to the serious questions the soldiers put to him. But in the current administration, so fond of talking about responsibility, catastrophic misjudgments and mendacity are lauded and rewarded.

Richard Abcarian

Venice

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During World War II, the war effort was primary. Our country was unprepared for war when we were attacked in 1941. The populace was called upon to sacrifice.

There was gas rationing, steel was diverted from domestic use to armaments, cars were impossible to get because the auto manufacturers were building defense units, to say nothing of issuing of food stamps so butter, meat and foodstuff in short supply could be sent overseas. Our population was able to build in rapid order ships, planes and arms needed by our troops.

Currently, we have made few sacrifices, except to send our troops to the war and hope they will get adequate protection.

Humvees are still being sold by auto distributors domestically while our government says we cannot produce enough vehicles to supply our troops.

If this is a real war, it is time for everyone to do his part.

Gayle Weiner

Malibu

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I read Pentagon spokesman Lawrence Di Rita’s comment concerning mobilization for war. He said that “the war begins and then we start to mobilize.” Please excuse my ignorance in these matters; I’m not an expert like Mr. Di Rita, but wouldn’t it be smarter to mobilize first and then go to war?

Thomas Sexton

Huntington Beach

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Re “A Rein on ‘Bodyguard of Lies,’ ” editorial, Dec. 9: Deception is part of warfare and includes such simple things as camouflage. The key is to take advantage of an enemy’s vulnerabilities. Lying to the media may be tempting and “may produce a momentary gain,” as you say, but the penalty in credibility is too high a price.

Wearing my previous hat as deputy chief of public affairs of the Army, I can think of only one extraordinary circumstance that might tempt me to lie to the media -- saving the lives of soldiers in immediate jeopardy. I think their survival is more important than my reputation. So I would lie, given clear and compelling circumstances. Then I would resign the next day to restore integrity to the system.

In short, I embrace the principle that deceptive practices have their place, but misleading the media isn’t the way to do it.

Charles A. Krohn

Howard R. Marsh Visiting

Professor of Journalism

University of Michigan