Reaction to U.S. Bombing Raid on Libya

The contrast in reaction by two prominent public figures to the reported death of the infant daughter of Moammar Kadafi should give every American reason to wonder about who best represents the values that make us proud to be who we are.

When Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger was asked about this incident his reply was that the death was not confirmed and his clear implication was that the Libyans could not be trusted to be truthful. Without a hint of emotion, he did not even allow that if the report were true that it was a most unfortunate tragedy.

Former President Jimmy Carter, confronted with the same report, showed appropriate compassion and replied that, had it happened to his own daughter he would have devoted his life to retribution, as he suspects Kadafi will do.

However one feels about our country’s action, the failure on the part of the head of our defense establishment to show any emotion or concern about the death of a child should cause us all to have grave doubts about our present leadership. The qualities of empathy and compassion are the traits that presumably separate us from those we call “fanatics.” The callousness of Caspar Weinberger makes it difficult for us to distinguish him from our professed enemies.

MAURICE FIELDS

Northridge