Letters to the Editor, November 19, 2004

Little bridges between Israelis and Palestinians

Yesterday I had a visitor from Israel. Dr. Morton Leibowitz is a Prof. in NYU in Cardiology who felt 8 years ago that he made enough money in Manhattan and moved to Israel to do a study on heart disease in Palestinian women. He presented his data that was fascinating since coronary artery disease is the major killer in this patient group. The Jewish community and the American Arab and Chaldian Council will contribute to continuation of the study. Just to mention to all that there are good people . They are building bridges quietly. They are our future.

Isaac Barr

Margaret Hassan

It is my firm opinion that a renegade group of masked assassins are instituting these gross inhumanities to man to further inflame the world on the barbarism of those being killed in Iraq. I will never believe that this is the work of Iraqi groups—but a sinister diabolical consortium that are beyond humanity

Jim Kirwan

Who will restore order and peace to this country of Iraq?

I want you to let the world know your opinion on who will restore order and peace to this country of Iraq. Do you think the Americans should just pick up and leave?

If so, will the people of Iraq suddenly come together and embrace one another in peace and brotherhood? Or, do you think as I do? Right or wrong, the Americans are the only hope for the future of Iraq. Chaos and civil war would be left in the event of a total pull-out without the restoration of order.

I also ask you to really examine the war crimes committed by the Americans. Were they really as bad as the news seem to make them out? They were terrible and inexcusable crimes. The soldiers that committed them should be ashamed and punished. They are disgraces to the whole human race. But, what if the roles were reversed?

What sort of treatment would Muslim extremists give to American captives? Really ask yourself that question and answer honestly. I am sure the treatment would be far, far worse than humiliating photographs. It would most definitely consist of torture and a horrible publicized gruesome death.

Instead of only focusing on what is wrong with the occupation of Iraq, talk more of the positive things. Admit that the only hope for a stable future is the commitment of the American and British forces and their peoples. Admit that not a single Arab country has made any significant contribution to the efforts in Iraq, unless, you want to consider foreign fighters with their own political agendas, a good contribution.

Instead of only pointing out mistakes or events you disagree with, please tell me your answer to fix this problem that is affecting the whole world community. I will be looking forward to your reply.

Ken Pease, USA

Editor: As several authors wrote, the solution for the Bush administration is to go to the UN Security Council and ask members to commit forces to enter Iraq as the US-UK forces leave. Most countries announced that they would not be involved unless the US announces its intention to end its occupation of Iraq. No matter what happens after that, it won't be worse than what's happening now.

Fallujah in Pictures

View these with caution.

http://fallujapictures.blogspot.com/

Azita Marcus

PHOTOS OF FALLUJAH’S “LIBERATION” http://thenausea.com/elements/usa/iraq%202004/11/ik.htm

Liz Burbank

Iraqi Mess

It is quite amazing how Iraqis fighting to rid their land of the foreign troops but are being denounced and ridiculed as "insurgents" and the occupying forces of the US and the Scottish Black Watch in Fallujah are hailed as "heroes" ridding Fallujah of 'evil'. What's more amazing is that the Americans expect to win the minds and hearts of the Iraqis to establish a democracy. What I wonder is how stupid do the Americans think the Iraqis are? Do the Americans think that they can 'fool everybody everytime'?

What kind of democracy do the West hope to establish in Iraq? Most of the local residents will be killed by the time Mr. Bush's 'war on terror' is over in Iraq, so who will vote? More importantly, who will stand for the elections? The locals will be dead - so import foreign Iraqis, who have been indoctrinated by the Western ideology anyway? There goes another civilisation and culture down the drain. But who cares! the 'Western Democracy' is much more important than this.

Instead of building a bridge between the differences of the cultures of the East and the West, this war has only helped to create a greater divide, which will grow to a dangerous climax. The danger does not extend to the East, it already oppressed by dictating terms thrust upon by the Western countries, but mainly to the Western societies. If they proceed consistently with this line of action, they will reap what they sow.

Alik Kahn, United Kingdom.

Powell Who ??

Bush? Still there.

Cheney? Still there.

Rumsfeld? Still there.

Rice ? Still there.

Powell? Gone.

General Powell, you could have made a difference. You could have stopped them. We believed in you more than in all of them combined. The UN listened to you. You were your country's only believable voice.

And now when you realise what you've done and the mistake and the power you squandered.... you just quit?!!!

You- in the full splendour of your uniform with medals and hash marks of rank and your life's work- couldn't fill the shoes of a single volunteer rag tag resistance fighter in Iraq unless you now stand up as a citizen of the world. You still have some influence you haven't thrown away in your complete political ignorance.

Speak now while Americans are levelling Falluja and while the American people still ( God forgive their ignorant souls) remember who you are. Or- join Bush, Rumsfeld and Rice forever in the history of the world as those who were the truly ---- ones in our time.

No. You can't just walk away. You still have a voice. You still have important influence. The sane world needs you, and you know it. Offer a weekly critique to the press- especially the web press- of what has transpired and what you recommend for the coming week. You'll have my attention.

Roy Ennis, Canada