_______________NO APOLOGIES BY DEBRA DICKERSON (01/28/99)

I was appalled when I read Debra Dickerson's article on how she "bombed" Iraq and how proud she was in the efficient killing of Iraqis. I am an active-duty military officer who spent much of last year in the Middle East. During that deployment, as well as the previous ones, my thoughts were never about how proud I was to be able to efficiently kill people. It was to do a difficult job and to return home with as many people as we started off with. As an intel officer, Dickerson never had to pull the trigger. I am certain as she reviewed the casualty reports she felt as happy as a civilian did reading the box scores of a sporting event. But I don't think the pilots and troops and sailors out in the front lines worry too much about efficiency. We wanted to do our job and return to our loved ones. Next time have someone who actually dropped a bomb or shot a gun tell you what they take pride in. Let Dickerson sit in her tent and read her Tom Clancy novels. -- Jim Delaroderie I didn't think I'd live to see the day. Yes, women have finally been allowed to reach full equality with our men in combat. How low we've sunk. -- Coleen Bondy I have not served in the military and do not support most of my country's military actions (or budgeting), but that is not the point. The people in our military deserve 100 percent support, gratitude and respect. Whatever the political or economic powers are that motivate our elected officials, the military personnel at their command are doing their jobs a hell of a lot better than most of us do ours. Thank you for not apologizing and working for peace. -- Dave Robinson Brooklyn, N.Y. Good for Debra Dickerson that she was able to take pride in a job well done, regardless of its ends. I can sympathize with that emotion (though it doesn't release me from the moral implications of my job). But don't try to sugarcoat the expression of that feeling by tweaking the actual history of the conflict. Dickerson writes, "Iraq was shooting at America. America is where my Mama lives. America is where all my stuff is. Iraq is going down. If Monaco shoots at us, for whatever reason, Monaco is going down. It's that simple." Fair enough. But while Dickerson's mama may live in America, Iraq wasn't shooting there. America attacked first, remember? Yes, Iraq invading Kuwait did prompt the U.S. to respond. But, as Dickerson said, "the war was about cheap oil -- rhetoric about the poor, invaded Kuwaitis notwithstanding." Dickerson's article is a good reminder that just because something is contrarian doesn't mean it's thoughtful. -- Eric Umansky I was sickened and shocked to read the pointless, vicious drivel published in Salon by its new so-called national correspondent: the self-centered, inhuman vampire Debra Dickerson. I can't imagine what influenced the editors of Salon to publish the inane, egomaniacal ramblings of this fetid piece of offal. This cretin's solipsistic conception of the world, the war and her place in it gives further (unnecessary) evidence of the banality of evil. This article also offers a disturbing view into the shrunken soul of this fiend in human shape. Normally, Salon offers insightful, reflective, stimulating, engaging writing, from authors who have carefully considered their perspectives and opinions -- not to mention considering the consequences of their positions! This meandering freak-a-zoid, Ms. Dickerson, should return to whatever stinking lawyer's hole from which she slithered. Her premiere piece for Salon has made a hackneyed case for the abolition of conscience. Show her the door. Clean out her desk before she gets too settled in. -- Mike Welch N E X T+P A G E+| "Oh Debra, oh Debra, such a sweet name for a killer"