A very astute and ultimately subversive article. However, your use of the inclusive terms "we" and "our" is inaccurate. "We" are kept out of the loop. "We" have never had any involvement with the planning of these disastrous policies. This is the reason why our democracy no longer has any validity. As long as deranged idealogues and profiteers in the Pentagon, the NSA and the now-lawless Executive Branch (and, occasionally, the lowly legislative branch) are concocting these mad and treasonous schemes, the majority of Americans will remain disenfranchised.

As for my "patriotic" friend in Upper Darby--when you're speeding toward a brick wall, is it best to finish what you started?

John Sullivan

Havre de Grace, MD

Two points on Charlie Wilson's War.

First, it is overwhelmingly better for the entire world that the Soviets were defeated. Can anyone seriously argue against that?

Second, the critique of what went wrong comes down to a premature withdrawal and disengagement when both military and political actions were needed to follow through to a better result. I hope we have learned that lesson as it applies to proposed premature withdrawal from Iraq!

John D. Froelich

Upper Darby, PA

If a person walks into Charlie Wilson's War with no knowledge of recent history, then they will walk out of the film having no idea what it was really about (like my grandmother). I enjoyed the movie, despite obvious gaps in the storyline. It's title says it all-it's one person's story. Besides, Charlie Wilson seemed more of an anti-hero than a hero. The impact and ramifications of what he did are so enormous and far-reaching that I wouldn't be surprised to see future films/books tackling more in depth his story, with a much greater emphasis on what it meant for the world. The fact that one short-sighted playboy's actions (from Texas!) would have such dire consequences is a theme that we should all be familiar enough to know that it is not all fun and games. The tone of the movie could have been handled more delicately, but I would still recommend the movie to all.

Jill Sweeney

Des Moines , IA