I was so glad to read Linda Chavez’s article on Jose Rodriguez (“Give Him a Medal,” PostOpinion, Dec. 22).

He did what any smart, flag-loving patriot would do: Protect those in our governmental employ who truly protect every man, woman and child in America.

The CIA is on the frontline in battling Islamist terrorism; it needs to take its gloves off to be bare-knuckled warriors.

Thanks to all of those who fight the good and necessary fight to keep us free.

Butch Dener
New Paltz

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Chavez is right: Rodriguez deserves a medal for destroying tapes that showed the waterboarding interrogation of terrorists Abu Zubaydah and Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri soon after 9/11.

We know the long-term effects of persuasive interrogations: There have been no attacks here since 9/11, and that’s all we care about.

I have a message for bleeding-heart armchair tacticians who dare to criticize the interrogation methods that have proved effective in preventing acts of terror: Shut up.

Let those who are charged with our safety do their jobs.

Elio Valenti
Brooklyn

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How come there is such a big uproar over the CIA destroying tapes, yet not so much when Sandy Berger stole and destroyed secret government documents?

I guess that, if you’re a Democrat, you can do what you want and the liberal media will give you a pass.

Joe Foley
Staten Island