US Media Marginalizing American Muslim Voices

Dear Editor:

 

It's disappointing and unbecoming of USATODAY to totally ignore an American Muslim's comment on the story regarding Newsweek and the flushing of the Holy Qur'an down a toilet and yet published 7 letters on the subject, all from Non-Muslims.  Additionally an entire page of opinions, with one exception, dealt with the subject.   None of these letters and opinions showed any understanding of the issue to Muslims but dealt with "anonymous sources", blaming extremists or Bush for the deadly consequences.  USATODAY is not alone in this respect as seen Letters to the New York Times below on the same subject.

 

USATODAY LETTER AUTHORS:  May 20, 2005 (7 Letters, Not one Muslim)

 

(New York Times Letter Authors on "Newsweek/Qur'an Furor":  May 21, 2005  (5 Non-Muslims) 

    Rick Schell,  Osborn Elliott, Dennis Prager, Fay Dicker, Donald M. Goldberg)

It's rational to ask: why was there not a single letter published from American Muslims who are most pained by this and could explain the uproar it had in the Muslim world?  Since 9/11 the question I receive most in my talks or on my writings is: why aren't Muslims condemning such violence, why are they not voicing their opinions in the media?  Only you and the rest of our  media can explain why are our voices as Americans and Muslims marginalized.  Is it to keep the "war on terrorism" a priority of our uninformed population?

 

While you discuss the issue of "anonymous" sources it was the American trained, supported, and armed Afghan police and army that killed the 17 Muslims, not civilian Muslims killing each other.  This is the newly formed army that is incapable of even protecting Afghan's President (protected by U.S. forces) but capable of killing Muslims to subdue peaceful protestations of America's occupation and Media ignorance, a vital principle of the democracy we're "exporting".   As a former diplomat in Washington D.C. when USATODAY was launched many of us had high hopes that the paper will be more balanced and just in reporting foreign issues, especially the Israeli-Palestinian issue and issues impacting the Muslim world.  The paper has gradually failed in that respect over the years.  

 

If Newsweek and other media had a Muslim on their staff this might not have happened.  Tragically, not even a letter could make it through the beltway to reflect Muslim views.

 

I deeply regret the editorial decision not to print my letter or any other letter submitted from an American Muslim. 

 

God bless, Respectfully Yours

Dr. Mohamed Khodr

Virginia, USA.

 

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Retired Teachers Are Mistreated in Texas

As a retired teacher since 1997, I am appalled at how teachers in this state (of Texas) are treated.

I taught for 26 years in Houston. Many of my students have entered the professional work force, becoming lawyers, doctors, etc. They would not be where they are today if it were not for the dedicated teachers.

We leave the profession with a small pension and no social security. Even those of us who paid into the system can not draw social security. The reason is that we can not draw from the government twice, despite the fact that one is state and the other federal.

The other day we noticed that the legislatures voted themselves a hefty raise. We the retirees of this state have not received a cost of living raise since 2001.

Is it any wonder that the old age homes are full of teachers?

We can not support ourselves on our pension, we do not make a decent amount, and should our spouse die we can not even get a portion of their social security.

The legislators of this state may deserve a raise but so do the teachers who gave their lives for the future workers of this state.

Carol Lynch, Houston, Texas