The photo of anti-war activist Desiree Ali-Fairooz confronting Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice with blood on her hands is very moving (“Sneak Attack,” Oct. 25).

Rice is probably not used to feeling people’s frustration so up-close and personal.

I have no doubt that many people are going to write about how inappropriate it was for Ali-Fairooz to “attack” Rice in this way, yet not a single “blood-soaked” finger touched her.

As the dramatic action conveyed, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and thousands of Americans have lost their lives as a result of an unprovoked war that Rice has hawked and defended.

Tony Newman
Brooklyn

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Where was this protester when Saddam Hussein and his two sons were in power? What would have happened if she had protested the former Iraqi government when Hussein was in control?

This war isn’t about the United States conquering Iraq. We’re bringing democracy to the Mideast and fighting those who support terrorism.

Enough with the “Blame America First” crowd. Why, in the protesters’ eyes, are we always the bad guys?

John Kensil
Philadelphia

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The protester did not actually attack Rice, nor did she attempt to smear red paint on her, although she had plenty of opportunity to do so.

What she did do was hold up her painted hands and say, “The blood of millions of Iraqis is on your hands.”

Perhaps the headline word “attack” could have been replaced with “confronts” to be accurate.

Jack Anderson
Chatham, Mass.

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Why do left-leaning fanatics, such as the one who assaulted Rice, act like only their opinion counts?

Just because they disagree with a policy, it doesn’t mean that policy is wrong.

I hope that the nut who attacked Rice is prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Knowing how some activist judges think, she’ll probably get off with a slap on the wrist.

There should be a law whereby, after a violent protest such as this, organizations such as “Code Pink” should be denied access to all political hearings and federal buildings.

Charlie Honadel
Staten Island