Trump trying to score cheap political points
There he goes again. Donald Trump attacks President Obama for not using the term “radical Islam.” What makes Trump’s charge so outrageous is the fact that if Obama used the term “radical Islam” it would not change a thing in the war against ISIS. It would not impact the fight against ISIS. But it would upset those Islamic countries, which we depend on in the fight against ISIS. Thus, using the words “radical Islam” would be counter-productive. Trump and the Republicans are trying to score cheap political points and exploit the Orlando tragedy. It is an utterly cynical ploy by Trump. This is what we have come to expect from a demagogue like Trump.
WALTER KEITH, ATLANTA
Muslims should warn us of lunatics’ plans
There’s no doubt in my mind that someone in the Muslim community knew something about the Orlando carnage before it took place. I want to see someone in the Muslim community step forward and warn us about the insane members of their religion before they can inflict death and destruction. And there’s no speculation in my mind about the lunatic’s motives: he was indoctrinated by other lunatics that Americans are to be destroyed and they have a particular disdain for the gay community. If it’s time for Americans to do better, then that includes all American citizens: not those whose allegiance is still with a different country that has a different concept of liberty and human values.
JACK FRANKLIN, CONYERS
Ali’s refusal to serve enhanced legacy
To dodge is to avoid. On April 28, 1967, Muhammad Ali reported to Houston’s Armed Forces Induction Center and refused to be inducted into the U.S. Army. His boxing license — his employment — was suspended and he was stripped of his title. In addition, his conviction for refusing induction was upheld by the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. On June 28, 1971, the United States Supreme Court overturned his conviction unanimously — Thurgood Marshall recused himself — 8-0.
Muhammad Ali did not dodge the draft. He confronted it. He was not one of Creedence Clearwater’s “Fortunate Sons.” He did not go to Canada. He did not claim college deferments as a future president, vice-president, and presidential candidate would.
The only thing Muhammad Ali ever dodged was punches. Any injustices he saw, he confronted. And that, very much, enhances his legacy.
LAWRENCE BURNS, NEWNAN
U.S. must exercise care on immigration
Our president insists that Islam is a peaceful religion when there is absolutely no proof of that. Conversely, all the proof is on the other side of the argument. Islam’s call to arms — jihad, is central to the religion — and nothing has changed in its 1,300 years of barbarity.
Hillary Clinton is adamantly against refusing Muslim entry to the U.S., despite the fact that there are thousands of pending cases against Muslim extremists in the 50 states of our country. Hillary promises yet more liberal immigration practices if elected.
The Orlando massacre in the gay community of that city was the greatest act of terrorism performed in our history, if you forget places like Wounded Knee, where we turned Hotchkiss guns on women and children. Despite the violent history of Islam, our leadership actually believes we can absorb thousands of these people into our society, where they will become productive citizens and American in every way.
We can no longer afford such smarmy sentimentalism and naivete’ about immigrants. We must exercise great care in the selection of any would be immigrant with an eye to the future of our nation. Should we continue our present course, we will soon find within us a substantial number of dedicated enemies capable of unimaginable destruction, and they won’t require tanks, fighter planes, nuclear submarines or drones.
RON SLADE SR., COVINGTON
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