WEDNESDAY'S LETTERS:'For Better,' Reporting Iraq, 'Path to 9/11'

By: E&P Staff In today's letters, readers continued to respond to Cyrus Nowrasteh's defense of his film "The Path to 9/11," a reader appreciates "For Better or For Worse" , and kudos for our story on Dexter Filkins and reporting conditions in Iraq.


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A Turn for 'Better'

I have been reading For Better or For Worse ever since it started. When we go on a trip I go to the nearest newsstand and take a peek of the strip for the day if they have it. If not, when I come home I go to the local paper archives and get caught up there.

For Better or For Worse is the best strip I have ever read. It even surpasses Peanuts and Lil Abner which had been my favorites. I shall be very sorry to see it end.

Elsie Morris


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'Path' of Glory?

The Path to 9/11 was gripping, excellent television and if one does not know the facts, a convincing false account of the events. Part One told the story of the Prelude to 9/11, terrorism and this country?s response. Objectivity went off the ranch to winger-land when Clinton entered the picture, first with the finger wagging clip which had nothing to do with 9/11-- except that a Republican congress weakened our President in the eyes of our enemies and the world. The invention of Mahmood?s chilling and powerful question, ?Are there no men in Washington?? could have and may have been written by Karl Rove, and would have been a wonderful addition to the movie if true. According to former CIA agents, Mahmood himself never got close to the camp with force. Spotters did, and warned there were Emirs from Quatar at the camp and would be killed with a cruise missile attack, and the decision never reached the President?s desk.

It is said that great fiction is the art of telling a lie so convincingly, that it could be true. Weaving fact and fiction in such a compelling and irresponsible way was a disgrace to ABC News.

Great TV, but lousy history.

Terry McDonald


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On Filkins and Iraq

This is a fascinating bit of insight into reporting the news out of Baghdad these days. Thanks for writing it.

Of course, there is a much larger story to be done on this, much more detail to unearth on how the major news organizations are covering the war these days (and staying alive). But you at least have given us an inkling. Maybe you can get E&P to send you to Baghdad to do that more in-depth story?

John Monk