History in Iraq

To: letters@nytimes.com
Re: Allawi Calls Pockets of Iraq Too Perilous for Voters

So Donald H. Rumsfeld says "just having elections in Iraq is an enormous success and a victory." Iraq has had many elections. In recent years Iraqis had to vote for Saddam, now they won't be allowed to. Neither can be considered a fair and free election. If Saddam were on the ballot he would win fairly for the first time; now that would be an historic election.

Party On

To: letters@nytimes.com
Re: U.S. Vows Big Increase in Aid for Victims of Asian Disaster

Bush must be so bummed by the tsunami. It will make his inauguration extravaganza look inappropriate. If Kerry had been elected he would have cancelled all celebrations. In fact, if he had been President rather than Bush it wouldn't have taken him almost a week to figure out what had happened.