I follow Pat Buchanan's thought train very closely on many topics (his book "Churchill, Hitler and the Unnecessary War" is brilliantly done - which means, I suppose, that I agree with him), but the logic of allowing men and women to torture those suspected of wrongdoing is a very slippery slope. So, I have to disagree with Pat on this column.

For the record, since Pat brought up the topic of Paul Tibbets, history will show that the dropping of the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was needless and wanton killing of civilians. Tibbets died this past summer, and no one suggested that he be held responsible.

Holder's work will not fix the past. What it will do is let those in charge know that - like the Nuremberg findings - one can still be held accountable for one's actions, even if just following orders.

The Global War on Terror was stupid policy, stupidly carried out. The invasion of Iraq was stupid policy, stupidly carried out. I'm no genius, but I'm starting to detect a trend here.

I want to know how far up the chain of command that Holder gets. I - and many who think like me - will be watching.

Good luck to him on that.

Buchanan: Your casuistry is beyond equal. These "tough good men" won't seem so when they come after you!!

What Buchanan is saying is that the ends justifies the means. I assume Buchanan is an atheist and not a Christian, perhaps he believes in Eugenics too. Jesus told us to love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6). In Romans Paul tells us if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if thirsty, give him drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. If we are truly a Christian God fearing nation, why should we do something contrary to Jesus' teachings? If we resort to torture wouldn't Muslim extremists simply see us as con-artists, not really practicing what we believe? Here in this instances, it's even sadder. Giving in to torture, we kill our ideals, who we are, what we are supposed to represent to the rest of the world.

There are about 4 million Iraqis out there whose lives were utterly ruined by Cheney's lying scheme to get even with whatever that phantom is he struggles with every night as he tries to sleep. Somebody should ask them what they think Cheney deserves. Too bad we can't ask the tens of thousands of Iraqis who were outright killed.

Mr. Buchanan - I must disagree with your column, for although you made some good points, it somewhat sounds like a justification for war ... or wars. And I know that you were against our neocon aggression stratgeies. When we invade AND torture, I think we are creating more problems for years to come. You know this better than I do. Torture may work at times, but in the end, at most times, a one-sided transaction nearly always comes to bite you in the you-know-what. All of the issues we are facing in the Middle East are perfect examples. So, I'd love to see you again tell everyone that unnecessary aggression never pays off, that improving economic relations will help both sides, that why should we care what they do as long as it doesn't impact US (don't confuse with israel) and we can maintain a healthy current and long-term trade and economic relationship? These are simple questions with very simple answers. Unfortunately, some are portraying themselves as experts and while charging the govt $250 per hour for consultation, they also help make sure the govt gives at least $4bil in free money and even more in weapons to israel. For what???? ... who knows!