Murder, not money

Re “U.S. casts a wide net in hostage hunt,” May 16

The U.S. military is offering a reward of up to $200,000 for information leading to the return of three missing American soldiers, which proves, yet again, that the United States does not have a clue when it comes to dealing with Al Qaeda.

For four years, the U.S. has been offering a reward of more than $20 million for the capture of Osama bin Laden, and no one has taken us up on that offer. What makes these mental midgets at the Pentagon think that $200,000 is going to do the trick? Our money does not interest hard-core radical thugs; all they want to do is murder more Americans, and they will continue to do so as long as we remain in Iraq. Will anyone in Washington ever get this?

JEAN BENNETT

Sun City, Calif.