In his recent letter to the Acorn, Michael Preddy expressed his opinion about how the enhanced interrogation techniques, used on terrorists by the Bush administration, were at the expense of losing our nation's values and our nation's soul.

I would agree with Michael if we lived in an "ideal world." Unfortunately, we do not. We live in the "real world," a world that has enemies who want to kill us by any means possible. It's incumbent upon our government to utilize the interrogation techniques that work on the enemy, whatever they may be, to keep the citizens of this country, including Michael and his family, safe.

The current administration has chosen a dangerous path. Obama is more concerned with allowing enemy combatants to file suit in American courts than the safety of the American people. He's more concerned about the enemy combatants' health and psychological wellbeing than the safety of the American people.

If I were in Obama's position, I would advocate interrogation techniques that are significantly more "enhanced" than the Bush administration's. That discussion is for another time and forum.

Suffice it to say that the end result of my techniques would be similar to the torture that the victims of 9/11 suffered, especially those who didn't die instantly, when the planes impacted their targets. Those who knew their fate, but couldn't control it, those who phoned their loved ones to say goodbye, those who suffered amidst the ruins but ran out of time, and those who chose to jump from the Twin Towers rather then burn to death.

I can only wonder if Michael's opinion would change if a loved one of his was about to become the victim of a terrorist. Maybe a loved one of Michael's was saved by the Bush administration's policies and Michael just doesn't know it yet.

The United States need make no apologies to anyone. Other countries should learn from and benefit from our example. Other countries should apologize to us for not having the courage to confront evil. Gregg Mader Newbury Park