Letter writer needs to get his facts right

Mr. Rosenblit's letter to the Daily Herald on April 26 was a little long. Long on hyperbole, short on facts as well as perspective.

Where to start -- 1.2 million civilian deaths? The Web site, www.Iraqbodycount.org, puts the number between 83,000 and 91,000 since the invasion and the end of 2007 (actual documented deaths).

Perspective? From 2003 through 2007, road deaths in the U.S. were staggeringly 190,000 plus! Both statistics are sad, but the 1.2 million number is based on what?

The official policy of the U.S. since 1998, has been regime change in Iraq and no less than President Clinton and Vice President Gore stated that the use of force may be necessary. That Mr. Rosenblit doesn't agree with President Bush's decision is obvious, that he chooses to ignore history prior to 2000 is typical.

This unwinnable war? Knowing the whereabouts of Al Qaeda? Does Mr. Rosenblit profess to know more than Gen. Petraeus? More than the behind-closed-doors congressional committees know? More than the Iraqis know? Sticking your head in the sand and ignoring the progress made in the past six months maybe a good political tactic but it is hardly an objective view or grounded in reality.

Congressman Kirk has spoken with his voters in Congress and in the district. You may not like the answers but then again he wasn't elected to represent you, he was elected to represent the entire district and to vote his conscience in so doing.

"The sane thing to do is to vote for Dan Seals?" Is he inferring that a vote for Congressman Kirk is not sane? Thank you, Mr. Rosenblit. I'm sure the citizens of the 10th District can sleep peacefully now that you are the arbiter of sanity for the rest of us.

Don Parker

Northfield