In a recent speech, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld called the critics of the Iraqi war morally and intellectually confused. There may very well be some confusion associated with this war, but the confusion isn’t on the side of the critics.

Critics of the war didn’t confuse it with the war on terror, for they are two separate items.

Critics of the war didn’t misjudge the culture of the Iraqis and the resulting ground situation after Saddam was defeated.

Critics of the war aren’t confused about the aftermath when the entire police force and military were disbanded without having a plan to prevent the country sinking into lawlessness and insurrection, if not a civil war.

Critics of the war aren’t confused about the $300 million-plus already spent, without an end in sight.

I could go on and on, but you get the picture.

Critics of the war aren’t confused about the right to dissent being an essential element in a democracy. Critics of this war aren’t confused about the Bush administration’s phobia for secrecy being diametrically opposed to the hallmark of a democracy – an open government.

No, critics of this war aren’t confused about many things, not the least of which is Rumsfeld’s incompetence being exceeded only by his hubris.

John West, Lewiston