My LTE to the Washington Post - Re: Terrorism

[kitty44]

"In letters to the editor, August 17, Sam Charnoff wrote that "the Arab Islamic world has poisoned itself to make the recent (terrorist attacks in Iraq) part of day-to-day life, and the sooner we in the Western world recognize we are dealing with a poisoned culture the better we will be able to respond."

Terrorist attacks are often acts of desperation committed by people who feel they or their loved ones or their land has been wronged or invaded in some way. When it is committed against innocent people, its a tragedy. However, to blame an entire culture is inaccurate and racist and leads to more violence.

American Indians were considered "savages" when America was settling the West in the 19th century. Their attacks on settlers would no doubt be considered "terrorist attacks" today.

To eradicate terrorism, we need to understand its roots."

[meegbear]

1. Excellent LTTE ...

:party: WELCOME TO DU!! :party:

[sinkingfeeling]

2. I was hoping someone would respond to Mr. Charnoff's blasting of an entire

culture when I read his comments this morning. Way to go!!

Here's the link to Mr. Charnoff's LTTE:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/16/AR2007081602313.html

I probably would have been more brutal. With something like, "Mr. Charnoff needs to take a good look around. He seems to believe that American culture is full of peace, harmony, generosity, and benevolence. He seems blind to reality. American culture is made up of greed, militarism, bullying, and a desire for empire, which in my view is a poisoned culture as well."

Edited to add link and more comments.