REPEATING FAILED POLICY

I totally agree with Mark J . Trentalange's Aug. 6 Viewpoints letter ("Don't
interfere in Colombia").

As I read the Aug. 3 article, "U.S. drug czar seeks re-evaluation of aid to
Colombia amid violence," about Gen. Barry McCaffrey and military aid to
Colombia, I was overcome with a sense of foreboding.

If you change Gen. McCaffrey to Gen. William Westmoreland, drugs to
communism and Colombia to Vietnam, the article could have been written 25
years ago.

The politicians in Washington should understand that the American people
will not support another unwinnable war in another jungle to support another
oligarchy.

Will we ever learn, or are we doomed to repeating another failed policy?

David J . Welch , Houston