As a retired U.S. Air Force intelligence officer, having served multiple tours of duty in Vietnam, I feel obligated to offer an opinion regarding Michael Marston’s letter about torture in wartime (Journal, Dec. 26). It is well known that Dick Cheney avoided service with his five draft deferments, so the question regarding Bill Proud’s service is totally irrelevant. I will not criticize anyone who avoided the Vietnam War, however I do believe it necessary to criticize someone who avoided that war and then helped develop the fabrication that created the “need” for the war in Iraq. I was the acquaintance of several aircrew members who were also POWs, none of whom were water-boarded. Cheney is a master at deflecting answers to torture questions and at times is outright dishonest, especially when asked his definition of torture. Perhaps Marston should spend some time in a wartime environment. That option is still available, thanks to Cheney.
David Primrose
Broomfield
