Letters to the Editor, July 8, 2004

America’s Growing Culture of Hate By Linda S. Heard (Al-Jazeerah, July 6, 2004)

So, Ms. Heard would take away our freedom of speech?

Cathy M Logos

The Bush Election Surprise !!!

It would be very 'convenient' for Bush if Osama Bin Ladin was 'captured' just before the US election. Or brought out of some secret jail where he is stashed away. Let's wait and see.

Phil Hong

A Daughter's Love

Dear Editor,

How touching it was to see a picture of Amirah, the daughter of Hussam Khader, holding his picture during a rally for the release of Palestinian prisoners (Al-Jazeerah, July 6, 2004). What an inspiration and symbol of a daughters love for her father to see that picture. It should move us all to fight even more for not only the injustice of those Palestinian prisoners, but also for all those who are stung by the venomous tentacles of that injustice, the family and friends.

Thinking back at a picture that Hussam gave me once, of him holding his little girl in his lap and the tender words he used in speaking of his children, how sad and yet strengthening it is to see his daughter now holding his picture, hoping for his release.

Any one who knows of Hussam Khader, knows of the straight forward and honest fight he has led for the Palestinian struggle. It seems he has past on his love and endurance to his children to continue the fight.

May we all share this endurance as well.

Regina Hill, TN, USA

I pray this violence can end

Sir,

Fifteen years ago my family and I lived next door to a dear family who had come to the United States from Lebanon. We shared in their joy when their baby was born, and mourned with them when their elderly father died.

When they would travel back to Lebanon from time-to-time, we watched their home, watered their lawn and fed and watered their dog until they returned. There were three adult sons, one of whom fought in the Lebanese civil war, killing some opponents.

I am sincerely disturbed about the ongoing loss of life in the Middle East. In all honesty, having never been there, I cannot emphatically state that I understand the passions involved between the descendants of Ishmael and the descendants of Isaac, both whom have as their father, the venerable Abraham.

I do know, however, that there are faces of good people I shall never see who live and die in the Middle East; fathers, mothers, sons and daughters. I also know, from my friendship with our former Lebanese neighbors, that there are good people in that region who are not so much different than people of my country. People with humor, laughter, hopes and dreams, and goals for their families too.

I pray this violence can end - what a terrible loss of life and dreams.

Sincerely,

Barry Bazzell, USA

Fahrenheit 9/11: People don't change until they feel the pain

I saw the documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 yesterday. It is powerful. No one in the
Bush2 adm has denied ANY of it, yet. That Michael Moore could make is is rather revolutionary itself.

This documentary proves once again that "people don't change until they feel the pain." This Iraqi folly is bringing that reality home to the American people. As I have written, the American people are first ignorant, then arrogant, on the Middle East, including Iraq, Palestine, and Israel. The rulers of Saudi Arabia are also feeling some pain.

Last night, I was reading Amos Elon's book review essay in the NY Review of Books. Prominent is the debate, "How Israel Lost: The Four Questions." [Richard Ben Cramer] Also reviewed is Itamar Rabinovich's "Waging Peace." See pages 26-29, "War Without End." July 15, 2004.

In some ways, the reasons for Israel don't exist anymore--or are being diluted. Israel certainly does not act as a nation-state created in the memory of Holocaust victims.

The trend is away from states grounded in religion. If this dictum applies to Iran,
should it not apply to Israel. Of course, the West has a tradition of separating church from state--and the Islamic countries do not. Jews and others are not being threatened with pogroms as they were in the 1930s.

Sharon is an extension of Bush2. As Fahrenheit 9/11 shows, Bush2 has little
appreciation for the experiences of others.

If "peace" ever comes to Israel-Palestine, it must be the Israelis who take a chance that the Palestinians will change once the Israeli policy has changed. But religion, poverty, and ignorance (then perhaps arrogance) rule the Middle East. Death is better than acceptance.

Org Islam vs. org Christianity? Until the Israeli-Arab clash of civilizations is resolved, very little, if any, economic development will result for Arab populations. No sane person wants to venture into that morass. Muncie, Indiana, is a very boring place and predictably stable.

John Rouse, pol sci prof, ballstu (www.bsu.edu/politicalscience)

fn, Bad politics started the Iraq US invasion. Good politics can end it.

fn2, people don't change until they feel the pain.