As the US contemplates a new troop surge against insurgents in Afghanistan, have you noticed that the words "surge" and "insurgent" share the same root? It's from the Latin, meaning "to rise." But the latter word's prefix, "in," adds deeper meaning to the verb: "to rise up" or "to rise against." Only insurgents, defending their homeland, have a life-or-death purpose in rising, which is why there has rarely been a foreign surge massive enough to win the day.

Yet another reason, if only etymological, to bring our troops home.

DOUG NOBLE, ROCHESTER