Marines and Murders

I read Ray Hanania’s article, “Iraq: Marines Can Get Away With Killing Civilians” (July 22).

Hanania says the US Marine got off without a charge or penalty after killing an Iraqi civilian. Let me say that the silent majority agrees with you and we in Australia have said all along right from the word go when the Americans were going to invade Iraq that the invasion was always on the American political agenda. The world is slow to react but there is one way to stifle the American political scheme and that is for everyone to trade in euros. Once the dollar is not the benchmark then they can print as much as they like and it will be worthless (the American economy is actually bankrupt today but nobody admits it because they just print more.)

Saddam made the mistake of starting to trade Iraq’s oil with euros and that was also a catalyst for the US invasion. Could you imagine what would have happened if the rest of the world switched to euros. Why do you think that the Americans always have one of theirs at the helm of the World Bank? Now that the French and Germans have orchestrated the euro it is simply a matter of time. Even the Asians are now distancing themselves from the World Bank and have created their own insurance whereby the Asians will stick together in crisis times.

Anyway enough of this. I really just wanted to say that we in Australia agree with you and believe that the Americans through their political system have caused more deaths and maiming than Saddam ever did and it continues today. Thanks for the read.

John Anderson, Australia, published 26 July 2007

Marines and Murders - 2

Hanania should consider reporting facts, not suggestions that “There are even many who believe that there are far more cases of Iraqi civilians who are murdered by American soldiers, but that those cases are hushed up to minimize the embarrassment.”

Do you call that journalism? Ray Hanania, you are retarded!

Joanne Healey, United States, published 26 July 2007

Terrorism

Ever since the beginning of human life on this earth, homicidal violence has been an integral component of humanity. Whatever may have been the dimension, genesis or reason of this violence, the humans invariably are the victims at the hands of fellow humans. Wars, invasions, murders, communal conflagrations, insurgency, rebellion, revolution, religious or sectarian extremism etc. have been some of the traditional sources of the bloodshed. However, the preceding one or two decades have added a new word — terrorism — to the list of these instruments of violence. Like secularism and fundamentalism, the term terrorism too has become a catchword, with everyone using it, but none being able to give its exhaustive definition.

It is time at least the academic circle of the world arrived at a consensus on what the term terrorism truly means. In my view, terrorism may be defined as the desperate action of vengeance by the oppressed against the oppressor when the world has closed all the doors of justice and fair play.

I would like comments from your readers so that we all may be able to evolve at least its conceptual parameters, though interested parties may continue to define it according to their political interests and the exigency of circumstances.

Dr. Mustafa Kamal, Sherwani, LLD, Zanzibar, Tanzania, published 26 July 2007

Growing Intolerance

This is regarding the report, “Director Laments Growing Intolerance” (July 6). I agree with Khaled Yussif when he calls the Arab society a “narrow-minded” one.

I live in Sydney and I do all my work here.

The freedom we get here is unlimited.

I mean we can work in a free way, no one will charge you as long as you stay away from any action that threatens national security. I don’t think that any of the scenes in any of Khaled’s films threatens the national security of Egypt.

Let artists work the way they want. I admire the cinema in Egypt knowing that it is not the best; at least they are progressing.

To Khaled: Keep up the good work.

Mustapha Ayad, Sydney, published 26 July 2007

Palestinian Unity

This is regarding Walid Awad’s article, “Why Palestinians Must Regain Unity” (July 23).

Probably the most intellectually tough, reasoned, and calm analysis of the present situation of the Palestinian people I’ve ever read. It was important that the author recognizes that regardless of what Fatah was doing in Gaza, Hamas shot itself possibly mortally in the foot by what it did.

As the author wisely pointed out, much of what makes Israel astoundingly successful is its ability to market its interests, regardless of the reality of the situation. I couldn’t give you five people in the US who could name five instances of what Israel is really doing that our media simply do not cover whatsoever.

It is true that the way events are reported in the Western media Israel’s actions always appear to be in reaction, and never the cause of an action.

C. Sullivan, Unites States, published 26 July 2007

Hamas and Gaza Courts

This is regarding the report, “Hamas Plans to Replace Defunct Gaza Courts With Legal Committee” (July 22).

The people of Gaza will show Hamas that its type of leadership is not going to make it. Hamas will fail when Gazans see their fellow West Bank citizens enjoying a much higher standard of living.

Mike Gutierrez, United States, published 26 July 2007

Prisoner Release

This refers to the report, “Joyous Reunion for Families” (July 21).

Israel as a reality is a bitter pill for all Arabs and Muslims everywhere to swallow. Nowhere is this more painfully shown than in their reaction to the prisoner release.

James Thornberry, United States, published 26 July 2007

India’s New President

The primary job of the president of a country is to present the country to the world. In this, the president-elect of India, Mrs. Pratibha Patil, is a nonstarter. She was chewing tobacco as she spoke to the international media accepting her new assignment, and had her diction and grammar mixed up. She should have been coached on how to conduct herself, more so with international TV channels beaming her first news conference!

The primary job of a government is to preserve the values and principles of a country. In this, the Congress and Mrs. Sonia Gandhi have failed by thrusting a candidate unacceptable to the vast majority of the country and denying Dr. Kalam, a very popular president, a second term.

Mrs. Gandhi was a party to this manipulation. With her Westernized, nonpolitical outlook, she brought a whiff of fresh air to Indian politics. At least we thought so. She too has become a puppet in the hands of power brokers. Mrs. Sonia Gandhi has forgotten that in a democracy ultimate power belongs to the people. The cobblers, tailors, street vendors and laborers of India cannot be taken for granted. Our politicians need to remember: India is nobody’s private property. There is a general election in 2009. Then the poor will speak.

Rajendra K. Aneja, Dubai, UAE, published 26 July 2007

Kashmir Violations

This is regarding the report, “Azad Dismisses Rights Violation Allegations” (July 22).

Every politician claims that there is no human rights violation in Indian Kashmir. Such statements save their chair. They have to tell lies to their bosses in New Delhi and to the international community. Every day incidents of worst human rights violations take place in Kashmir. The day Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad delivered his sermon of “No Human rights Violations,” an eight-year-old girl was molested and murdered in Kashmir. Another sex scandal was exposed in Rajoury committed by the security personnel. There is every sort of human rights violations in this forgotten land. You ask a commoner about these facts, not somebody occupying office.

J. Bhat, Kashmir, India, published 26 July 2007