BUGS: NO SCWEWY WABBIT

I MUST TAKE ISSUE with the characterization of the Euro-Democrats as "Bugs Bunny Democrats" in William Kristol's editorial ("The Bugs Bunny Democrats," Aug. 21 / Aug. 28). Although I realize Kristol's analogy is based on Bugs Bunny's diet, the carrots that the "European wing of the Democratic party" is so fond of offering are all the "EuroDems" have in common with the discerning and determined Bugs.

Bugs Bunny survives by outwitting his opponents. His probing catchphrase, "Eh, what's up, doc?" usually begins his exposition of their follies for all to see. He has demonstrated the willingness to eschew political correctness and directly confront his antagonists' intellectual failings. To Elmer Fudd's clueless, misdirected assertion that "Somethin's scwewy awound here," Bugs is quick to point out that it "could be you, doc."

Granted, Bugs Bunny does show patience with his antagonists, but only up to a point. Once the threat to his security becomes clear, he is willing to take action. He has been known to confront his tormentors with a definitive, "Of course you realize, 'DIS means war!" I doubt that any of the EuroDems have the grit to follow such an example.

Bugs Bunny's bravery is a matter of record. A member of the greatest generation, he took on World War II archvillains such as Herman Goering and even Adolf Hitler himself. In recognition of his fighting spirit, the U.S. Marine Corps awarded Bugs an honorary officer's commission.

Now, "Elmer Fudd Democrats" would certainly be an appropriate description. Perhaps even "Daffy Duck Democrats." But I think we can be sure that there is not a Bugs Bunny among them.

JOSEPH W.T. PUGH
Haddonfield, N.J.

WILLIAM KRISTOL brilliantly analyzes the naive pacifism of contemporary liberalism, which focuses on foreign policy carrots to the exclusion of sticks. But tying the carrot metaphor to Bugs Bunny is unfair. Bugs always frustrated and defeated those trying to destroy him. Just ask Elmer Fudd, Yosemite Sam, Giovanni Jones, Marvin the Martian, and others who experienced Bugs's unique, and hilarious, forms of payback. A little bit Brooklyn, a little bit Bronx (as Mel Blanc, who supplied the voice, once put it), Bugs embodied America's fighting spirit at its best. Our political leaders and foreign policy elites could learn a lot from him.

MATTHEW BERKE
Madison, N.J.

BEING WARY

JEFFREY GEDMIN's "Letter from London" (Aug. 21 / Aug. 28) included some astute perceptions, particularly his closing thought about the West's "hedonistic" lifestyle. Gedmin is right on track: It is to our credit that we have not caved and allowed the terrorists to define how we live. Gedmin's mention of "the failure to find weapons of mass destruction," however, warrants a bit of qualification.

To think that WMDs would be found in a warehouse neatly organized and wrapped in a bow is ridiculous. Materials were found scattered in the region that could have been gathered to produce WMDs in a short period of time. Alas, these findings were not as hyped in the media as was the absence of a quick find.

The fact is we now live in a world where we have to be suspicious. If we let our guard down, or fail to follow a lead that may prove false, we face further horrific acts. This is the age of being better safe than sorry. It defies logic that that simple point is so misunderstood.

L.J. MACK
Coppell, Tex.