DEAR EDITOR:

What bothered me most during the last presidential administration was when a wrong was made, supporters and his administration would not accept facts. They argued tooth and nail there was nothing wrong. Every excuse possible, every often lame explanation was given to simply not accept the wrong.

I understand it’s a great feeling to be right. It makes you feel smart and confident.

Being wrong, if you have the strength to admit it, provokes frustration and embarrassment. When someone else points out your mistake, feelings are exacerbated, and often you fight back with the aforementioned nonsupportive defensive comments. Nothing is gained by taking this position.

Admitting an error makes one stronger and less likely to repeat similar errors. Admitting a wrong doesn’t make someone stupid, incompetent or a failure. It results in the opposite.

As time goes by, if you continue living with your wrong, and attempt to support your mistake with false, nonsupportive reasoning, it wears on you mentally and physically.

That is where I am today.

I supported and voted for President Joe Biden. I believed he would do a good job. I also believe his decision to pull out of Afghanistan was a good decision, but I do not believe the pullout was done properly.

Let’s all agree our troops spent far too long in Afghanistan — 20 years with over 2,000 military deaths, over 20,000 wounded and no apparent goal or positive outcome. But it is apparent, based on the chaos, disorder, confusion and deaths that the pullout was not properly orchestrated.

President Biden carries the burden for this egregious miscalculation. No passing the buck, I as a supporter of President Biden, lay him to blame. Other supporters may attempt to explain the wrong and accept it wasn’t a mistake, but simply part of a war-ending strategy. No arguing can convince me it was done properly.

Not admitting you were wrong can accumulate subconscious feelings of guilt, shame that eventually can turn into anxiety and depression. Admitting you messed up or that your chosen president messed up may not feel good, but it shows you are empathetic and interested in ensuring our nation remains a beacon of freedom and justice. It allows us to learn and grow. Not accepting wrongs or admitting a mistake, makes you weaker, less likely to improve.

I hope others accept the faults of the past administration and admit not everything was proper. Then you will feel better, and we will grow stronger as a nation.

God Bless America.

JOHN P. LESEGANICH

Canfield