I appreciate the style and attempted reasoning displayed in the well written letter from James Froehlich, yet I find the content lacking anything but imagination and fact.  As he acknowledges the rights of Mr. Krauthammer to his opinions, so do I allow Mr. Froehlich his.  And make no mistake; his opinions are pure conjecture. 

According to Mr. Froehlich, the looming disaster in Afghanistan, the inability to curtail the influence of China in the South East, and the diversion of resources away from the real war on terror all result form our involvement in Iraq.  He is entitled to this position but blaming the Iraq situation for world problems is misconnected logic at best and simple-minded analysis at worst.  Why not add global warning and AIDS to the list and really strengthen your anti Iraq war claims.

Mr. Froehlich also criticizes Mr. Krauthammer for a supposed shift in the expectations of forming a democracy in Iraq.  This misinterpretation further denigrates Mr. Krauthammer’s standing as a political analyst in his mind, but not elsewhere.  The hopeful expectation in Iraq first begins with security and stability.   The goal of democracy has not been abandoned, yet change of this magnitude does not happen quickly, if at all.  I realize the world quickly tires when results are not immediate.  What is required is long standing resolve to give change a chance of succeeding.

Charles Krauthammer is the premier syndicated political columnist.  I applaud the Post-Dispatch for pitting this formidable opponent against their own editorial slant.

Kerry Schumacher

St. Charles