Iraqi oil production

Your article on lower-than-expected oil production levels in Iraq (Jan. 25) is just another negative article by The Times on the Iraq war.

Get it straight. This war is part of a bigger war that won’t be over for years. It’s going to cost much more money than anyone can conceive of, so stop acting like it’s a big deal that enough oil isn’t getting pumped from Iraqi wells and get ready for the next terrorist strike. If this offends anyone’s sensibilities, too bad; get a clue as to what we are up against.

WILLIAM ROBERT JACK

North Las Vegas, Nev.

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Why should we be surprised that the Bush administration has cut oil production in Iraq 40% from pre-invasion levels, despite the fact that Iraq has the second-largest oil reserve in the world? The current production level of 1.5 million barrels per day contrasts sharply with the 2.5 million per day under Saddam Hussein.

We know the administration is knee deep in the oil patch. These cutbacks in Iraqi production fit in well with the vast run-up in prices for oil worldwide.

All oil barons know that it pays much better to sell a little less oil at very inflated prices than to try to compete honestly in a free market. The American public is a major loser in the tens of billions of dollars of high fuel costs. The public should not have to see its own government coming in on the side of the oil cartel. There ought to be a law.

CARL OLSON

Woodland Hills