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FOREIGN AFFAIRS
To understand hatred, view U.S. as others do
A recent contributor (“Obvious reasons why others hate America,” Readers write, Opinion, April 26) wrote that the reason al-Qaida types hate us is because of our political, religious, economic and social freedoms — apparently, because of our perceived “positives.” Actually, they don’t care a whit about those things.
They hate our perceived “negatives”: a vibrant, open culture that haplessly exports a great deal of crudeness and degeneracy, in their eyes, which clash violently with Islamic social conservatism, and an American world-pervasive military presence that they find unacceptably intrusive, controlling and subversive to Islam.
Trying to understand extremist enemies through our point of view is a mistake. We should be trying to understand them from their point of view. East and West are both self-righteous, and “rights” and “wrongs” in world matters are today — as is common throughout history — subjective.
BOB EBERWEIN, ATLANTA
CIVILITY
A respectful attitude is first taught at home
There was a time when many citizens viewed politicians as positive role models. I can’t seem to pinpoint exactly when that changed, but I can certainly say why. Civility and respect for one’s opponent and his or her positions are signs of weakness in many voters’ eyes. Crassness and blame are the themes of the day.
How do parents explain that behavior to their children? Many don’t — because they are subscribers to and enablers of such behavior. Those politicos don’t survive in a vacuum. They are elected by the same kinds of people.
I didn’t learn civility and respect in college, or the military, or at work — I learned these at home. My mom would constantly remind us that, “If you don’t respect yourself, you can’t respect others.” We need to get back to teaching children that it is not always the loudest, most vulgar voice that gets heard.
RONALD D. JOHNSON, AUSTELL
COMMENTARY
Varied political views necessary for balance
The author of “Don’t use terrorism as excuse to criticize” (Readers write, Opinion, April 24) wishes to have Charles Krauthammer’s editorials removed from the AJC.
I was amazed on reading this that he didn’t call for removal of Mike Luckovich’s cartoons as well. For eight years, Luckovich did nothing but attack President Bush. Luckovich recently used the occasion of the inauguration of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum to slam him yet again.
While I disagree with almost every opinion expressed by Luckovich, I marvel at his ability to express those opinions so well in his drawings. Likewise, Krauthammer presents intelligent and logical arguments in his prose. I admit I agree with the latter far more often than the former — but both men deserve to be in a paper that wishes to provide thoughtful and opposing points of view.
MIKE ANTHONY, DULUTH
