LIBYAN REBELS

War is good for journalism but bad for the public, because the journalists just go for the flash. In Libya, they're giddily reporting on the atrocities, the ebb and flow of battle, and the new city names that won't be remembered for a day (beyond Tripoli, long associated with Montezuma).

But do we have any idea who the "rebels" are?

You know, Hitler was a rebel in his time. Stalin was a rebel, along with Lenin.

Our total ignorance of whom we are helping with our treasure, and maybe someday our blood, is at the very least embarrassing, and far more likely very dangerous.

The incapacity of journalists to provide even the most basic information is extraordinarily dangerous.

RICHARD BREITMAN, MINNEAPOLIS