Re: "Thousands gone, no end in sight," by Mark Smith, March 26

So, right up front Mr. Smith, you argue that the current situation, terrorism, isn't a big threat because a bazillion people haven't died.

Never mind that we have moved into a high-tech age where a war can be waged with very few casualties. Hoards don't run at each other with swords until the side with the most men still standing wins.

You may not have noticed, but never mind. If lots of people aren't dying, then this is no big threat.

Granted, the enemy didn't set off dirty bombs full of bacteria in previous wars, but maybe that's because the technology wasn't there. You think?

Gee, I wish they'd set off a dirty bomb. Then we could say this is the worst threat ever, is that it?

Has it occurred to you that the fact that we haven't been attacked by dirty bombs (or anything else) and "not in one instance has the conveniently color-coded terror level gone up so much as a notch, not an iota" is exactly because we are doing a good job? Would you feel better if the color code did go up? More justified, perhaps?

As for war, in general, it's OK, apparently, for the terrorists to kill people but it's not OK for the victims to retaliate. To refresh your memory from high school civics, a "just war" is one that is defensive. We happen to be in a defensive, "just war." Morality and God are on our side.

But, gosh, at least in previous wars, the leaders had been shot at. I notice you didn't mention any conservatives on your list of "heroes." George H.W. was shot down in the Pacific, for one, and miraculously dipped from the sea. Our current GOP candidate paid his dues in Vietnam. Nevertheless, you make the argument that if you haven't been bloodied up, you don't know diddly. General Petraeus has a Ph.D. and he's been shot at, so by your own argument, he certainly knows the facts and he says we are succeeding in this war. Thousands of Mideasterners agree and say, "Thank you, America." New flash for the liberal media: we happen to be succeeding in Iraq, same as we were succeeding in Vietnam until the media, spearheaded by Walter Cronkite, turned everything on its head.

By extension, if you haven't been shot at, Mr. Smith, I guess you're no expert either. I think I'll ignore your "analysis."

Tell me, how did you vote on going to war Sept. 12, 2001? How did Congress vote? What was the climate all over America that day? "Yeah, but it's gone on too long and we're bored," right? It cuts into our mall time and watching American Idol. Just another American with the attention span of a turnip.

Then, you turn around and say that Korea, Iran and China are right around the corner and we do nothing. Let me get this straight. You say the war in Iraq is wrong; we should go to war, instead, with Korea, Iran and China. So we got the war part right, we're just in the wrong country, by your logic.

I know you are a member of the mainstream media, so I'll just consider the source. I'm sure, however, that our servicemen and women say "thank you" to you, Mr. Smith, for your vote of confidence and your support.

Well, you're welcome anyway, even if you are ungrateful. The military will carry on defending your freedom of speech, or should I say, your freedom to skew, denigrate and smear America's causes without retribution.

You did get one thing right: You are "apparently lost in Cloud Cuckooland."

LINDA DELAMARC

(The editor served in Vietnam for 20 months and earned the Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman's Badge and Presidential Unit Citation and is reasonably familiar with the sound of incoming fire. Ed.)