This is a response to Mark Eveland's CIA defense letter.

I find it interesting that Mark supports the existence of the CIA; when his own letter contains many facts that lead people like me to protest CIA activities.

Of course, not all his information is quite accurate. For example, he states that the U.S. has only been involved with Nicaragua for the-past 10 years.

In actuality, U.S. interference goes all the way back to 1912. That's the year, U.S. Marines occupied Nicaragua, a relationship which lasted until 1925.

Since that time, our government has been in and out of Nicaragua several times. Each time, we never cared about what the Nicaraguans wanted; we only wanted to make sure no one came to power who would tell us where to take our Big Brother policy toward Central America.

Every new regime we've since installed has always brought new headaches, just as Mark said. That sounds like a good argument to learn from our mistakes and let well enough alone. A true peace initiative would take Nicaraguan needs into account. After all, it's only THEIR country.

Mark also states that we should "take off the blinders and recognize that the world is not all that nice a place." He's absolutely right. Therefore, we should no longer tolerate the underhanded tactics of the CIA and other similar organizations in the U.S. and abroad. Ignoring a "virus" will only make it worse.

Mark, I hope this letter can persuade you to take a look at what you've said in your letter. If you really don't like the Sandinistas or the Contras, then why do you support the organization which brought them to power?