Readers Write: Nov. 29
True test of a nation is admitting, fixing errors
This country prides itself on its values and democratic principles, which have acted like as a moral compass in its dealings with the rest of the world. This led to decisive interventions in both World Wars and leadership of Europe’s recovery through the Marshall plan after World War II. However, we are now failing to recognize the fact that the Middle East refugee crisis is largely due to our invasion of Iraq, compounded by a total lack of a short-term strategy to achieve a stable Iraq and to deal with ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The true test of a nation’s values is the ability to recognize mistakes and boldly lead the effort to correct the negative consequences and give hope to the people of the Middle East.
IAN SHAW, CUMMING
Jekyll losing affordable quaintness
“You’ve come a long way, Jekyll,” writes Tracy Brown in her recent AJC column (“The rebirth of Jekyll Island,” Opinion Nov. 22), in which she touted the changes brought to the island park by the Jekyll Island Authority. But Ms. Brown does not seem to realize that what was genuine, quaint and unpretentious about Jekyll has been diminished by what looks urban, sterile and grandiose. And while affordable hotels were once the norm, the centerpiece of the reborn Jekyll is a high-end Westin hotel, with more of the same in the works. While some positive changes have come to Jekyll in the past decade, I still have to wonder if the new, homogenized Jekyll Island State Park will be able to draw visitors as it did in the past, when Nature stole the show and low-slung, affordable hotels that blended in with the natural environment were the norm on the island.
MINDY EGAN, JEKYLL ISLAND
Muslim nations should care for their own
Many of the Muslim residents of Europe have failed to assimilate into the societies of the countries in which they dwell. Xenophobic European society is partly to blame, but it is also true that many Muslims don’t want to adapt to their host societies. Many Syrian migrants are fleeing refugee camps where they have lived for several years. Do they fear becoming like the Palestinians whom Muslim countries have denied citizenship and economic opportunity for nearly 70 years? Many of the world’s 66 million displaced persons have fled Islamist persecution. We should give highest priority to those, such as Christians and Yazidis, who are in physical danger. However, we must not blind ourselves to likelihood that terrorists are hiding among the migrants, most of whom are single men of military age. The Muslim nations of the Middle East must stop sponsoring terrorism and begin caring for the Muslims who have become terrorism’s victims.
TOBY BLOCK, ATLANTA
Cartoonist was right about refugees
In response to the letter re: Mike Luckovich (“Cartoonist wrong about refugees,” Opinion, Nov. 22), the drowned 3-year-old child was named Aylan Kurdi. His family was desperately trying to emigrate to Canada. His 5-year old brother and mother also died. They were literally fleeing Syria for their lives, and it cost them their lives. At a time when innocent children are dying, for Mr. Berger to question the “legality” of their “immigration” is cold-hearted. Where some see a family in extremely dire, life-and-death circumstances, others see undocumented, unvetted Muslim terrorists. How can we as people be so far apart?
STEVE COLE, SNELLVILLE
