Your editorial of Sept. 19 pointed out the end of tyranny and the emergency of stability in Iraq, ending, “And that was the goal to start with, wasn’t it?”

The resounding answer is “No!”

To begin with we were told the war was about weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The goal “to start with” was to rid Iraq of WMD.

Only after no WMD were found did other excuses/justifications for the war such as democracy for the Iraqis, “to keep them from following us home,” etc. get invented and trotted out.

It was both surprising and disturbing to read you suggest otherwise, or have we really forgotten that it was about WMD “to start with?”

David M. Sessums, Vicksburg

Obama’s credentials plentiful

Is letter writer George Mitchell (“Obama by the numbers” Sept. 21), privy to information that the rest of us are not? What makes him conclude that Sen. Obama is “sinister and evil?” Has a family member, friend or an associate disclosed another side of Obama’s character that has not been written about in the media or shown on television? Does he know Obama personally?

From what I have read, heard and seen, Obama is a Christian, husband and father. His list of accomplishments includes an Ivy League education. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, believed to be the zenith of American universities. While there, he served as the president of Harvard Law Review. Sen. John McCain graduated number 790th out of 795 students — that would be fifth from the bottom — of the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1958.

Our own senator, Thad Cochran, who has know McCain for more than three decades had this to say about McCain, “The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He is erratic. He is hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me.”

Mitchell’s disinformation list is what the “culture warriors” are clinging to in this unprecedented presidential race.  He began with the war in Iraq. Does America not know that we lost that pre-emptive war on March 19, 2003? That can also be recorded as the day America surrendered its moral authority. With 90,000 Iraqi civilians dead and their country in complete disarray, we need to define winning and why we went into Iraq in the first place.

Mitchell’s list, made up of Republican lies, is legendary in this election. No matter how much the Obama campaign debunks the untruths, the Republicans are masters of the game: “Tell a lie long enough and often enough and it will finally be believed as true.” I have more respect for “culture” voters who say they are not going to vote for Obama because he is black, than I have for those who spew ignorance and venom in an attempt to cover their true feelings of racism.

Sure, Sen. McCain will get a few of black votes, but not for untruths about what Barack Obama believes or his platform.  It will be for their own self-hating beliefs that has very little to do with McCain’s ability to lead this nation, but that’s another story.

It’s time for “culture” voters to think, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice shame on me,” and make their votes based on facts untethered by race.

Thelma Sims Dukes, Vicksburg

Give Obama due credit

I feel compelled to respond to George Mitchell’s letter of Sept. 21.

He writes a well-thought-out letter, but his thinking is at least one-sided. He does not give Sen. Obama credit for what he has done.

Win or lose, Sen. Obama deserves to be praised for coming as far as he has. All Mr. Mitchell has done is put the man down.

I never thought that I would see an African-American running for president. I was a senior in Pensacola High School when it was integrated. I remember well the slurs hurled at the five who decided to do what they did.

America is a great country that has done its best to heal racial wounds and to give all a chance to make it here.

This is a very important election and I urge all to vote. Too many of us take that right for granted.

Carl Yelverton, Vicksburg

McCain is ‘miracle man’

I call John McCain the miracle man. Why? Well, when you are a POW for five years and live through it, that is truly a miracle.

McCain volunteered to serve his country in the Navy, like his father and grandfather did. They were both admirals. This should tell you something about his family.

Not only his family upbringing comes into play, but his choice of Cindy McCain as his bride speaks volumes for this man’s character.

The North Vietnamese broke every bone in his body and knocked his teeth out. For two years, they had him in solitary confinement. His hair turned snow white when he was in his early 20s as a result of this atrocious treatment.

There is no way Obama should beat this great man. More people every day are realizing Obama dresses nice, looks nice, talks very well — but has not substance.

I am for John McCain and very proud of it.

George Mitchell, Vicksburg

Stop stirring the pot

This is in response to John Shorter’s letter (Sept. 21) and all the others about the lack of hand shakes at the end of the Vicksburg-Warren Central football game on Sept. 5.

Where were these people in 2006 when Warren Central beat Vicksburg 29-6 and the Vicksburg team and coaches walked off the field and did not shake hands with the Warren Central team? Why did you not speak up then?

Last year, when Vicksburg beat Warren Central at Warren Central, the players and coaches did shake hands. This year, the Vicksburg team ran over to the Warren Central side of the field instead of remaining on their side and were jumping up and down in their faces. So was that a class act? You tell me.

Did you notice all the extra police there? Do you not know why?

There is no need for an apology from anyone. Also, Warren Central teaches the same leadership and morals as Vicksburg High.

Most of the players are the same ones who played in 2006 on both teams, so why should this be addressed at all? The more you stir it, the thicker it gets. Is this what you want?

Darlene Howell, Vicksburg

A matter of priorities

When Washington can bail out AIG but won’t keep a Post Office downtown, we have another example of an arrogant, top-heavy, tottering government.

Postal drop boxes have been removed all over town. I don’t know how the needy can get out across Interstate 20 to buy a stamp.

Stacy Douglas, Vicksburg