Former Vice President Cheney has criticized President Obama for dithering. Let's remember that the recent Bush administration told the CIA what to find as far as weapons of mass destruction, told the generals how to wage its elective wars, and generally adopted a shoot-from-the-hip foreign policy that led to a huge mess, especially in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Given the current deteriorating situation, I think we may need to send enough troops to Afghanistan to help stabilize that country. However, I also think that we now have a president who listens to his generals and advisers and who then takes enough time to consider carefully what will be best for our country over the long term. I have confidence in his judgment.

Dan Bailey

Wheaton