Letters to the editor

Forgive the father

They know what they do and could do worse

Editor, The Times:

The political correctness (PC) movement spawned and nurtured by the American left in the last two decades was always an obscenity to freedom. Now we are threatened by a worldwide Islamic correctness (IC) epidemic increasingly infesting all free nations, enforced with murder, arson and mob assault by violent Muslim bigots ["Pope's remark sets off Muslim outcry," Times page one, Sept. 16].

Danes can't publish cartoons that aren't "Islamically" correct. The American news media meekly knuckle under to the IC speech klan. Now, the pope can't even quote historical texts not deemed IC by the theo-political Islamic minders of our world.

The IC vigilantes seem to feel mandated by the Quran to tell everybody how they're allowed to speak, and to kill any Salman Rushdie who dares to deviate. Their virulent fringe, armed with battalions of brainwashed-from-infancy "Manchurian candidates," advances this divine concept a logical step further: Why not just declare jihad, kill everyone not of "the faith," and let Allah sort the infidels out?

— William Slusher, Okanogan

Baptism by ire

"Convert or die!" seems to be the implied message from the radical jihadists. Whether or not this is their intended message, that is what comes across most strongly. This proves to be its own best argument against compliance by anyone of free will.

Then to watch their rabid reaction to the pope's questioning of this message only goes to further reinforce the negative image Islam conveys to the rest of humanity. As long as those Muslims who follow another path remain silent and hidden, the rest of the world will continue to see only the violent and intolerant face of the radical fringe.

Can we ever expect those of a more tolerant and moderate inclination to step up and repudiate the strident invective of the radicals? One can only hope.

— Thomas Munyon, Marysville

The unholy spirit

In no way am I a religious man; agnostic perhaps, but not religious. The following statements aren't biased by religious affiliation in any way:

In regard to Muslims around the world expressing outrage at remarks made by the pope, I say if you can't get over the fact that many, many people see your religion as not only governed by the sword, but as represented (and taken over) by a bunch of psychotic zealots with no regard for life and certainly no foundation in reality, then y'all have more problems than I had initially envisioned.

I'm not a fan of Christianity either (see gay marriage, pro-lifers, an equally foundation-less base in reality, and that whole Inquisition thing), but I don't remember the last time I heard of one of them (or a Hindu, or Buddhist, etc.) strapping a bomb to themselves with the intent of blowing up innocent children.

You don't get special treatment just because you think your way is right, and certainly not when it comes to me chastising you for your distorted perception of your religion.

You don't like many people's views of you? Stop it at the source (see above zealots).

— Derek Einhaus, Seattle

What you loose on Earth

Referencing "Rare personal apology from Pope over words that offended Muslims" [page one, Sept. 18], it is ironic that the pope didn't quote the Byzantines regarding the absolute savagery with which the Western Crusaders (sent to war by Pope Innocent III) treated Byzantine citizens (fellow Christians!) and their cities during the Fourth Crusade in 1204:

"Indecency was perpetrated ... They slaughtered the new-born, killed matrons, stripped elder women and outraged older ladies. They tortured the monks, thrashing and rending their bodies with whips. Mortal blood was spilled on holy altars, and on each, many were dragged like sheep and beheaded, and on the holy tombs, the wretched slew the innocent." — Nicholas Mesarites, witness to the sack of Constantinople by the Crusaders.

Isn't it time we stopped using religion as justification for our political actions? There is more than enough blame to go around. And that President Bush even mentioned a new "crusade" in the Middle East is an absolute outrage!

— Scott Zema, Woodinville

You lose in heaven

The obituary of Oriana Fallaci ["Journalist's glamour, fearless style won her world fame," Sept. 17], inaugurates a new genre: the polemical death notice.

Although her abrasiveness toward Henry Kissinger and others passes muster for The Los Angeles Times' reporter Tracy Wilkinson, she is showered with a barrage of epithets: "infamous ... anti-Islamic views," "bitter diatribes against Islam," "rant against Islamic terrorists," and so on.

Apparently, the Religion of Perpetual Outrage can now exact anticipatory compliance without even taking the trouble to send rioters into the streets.

— Edward Alexander, Seattle

The hostess' gift

Way to reciprocate

Let me get this straight: It's somehow wrong for the governor to hold, at her own expense, a fundraiser at her home ["Is dinner at the mansion unfair fare in politics?" Local News, Sept. 16], yet it's OK for the president and vice president to fly all over the country, largely at public expense, attending fundraisers for local candidates.

Do Richard Pope [who filed a complaint with the state Executive Ethics Board] and chairwoman of the state Republican Party Diane Tebelius condone the use of local tax dollars to provide the extra security necessary every time George Bush or Dick Cheney slip into town for some lavish, private, off-limits-to-the-public affair?

Perhaps Pope's skills as an attorney would be put to better use helping the cities of Seattle, Bellevue and Redmond seek reimbursement for the tens of thousands of dollars of taxpayers' money spent on these periodic, partisan junkets!

— Dick Musgrove, Redmond

One-way squeeze

No room in business

So the first of the Boeing modified super-jumbo 747's landed Saturday from Taiwan ["A 747 carrier of 787 cargo makes debut," Local News, Sept. 17]. One thing the article didn't say is how many outsourced U.S. jobs it can hold.

— Michael Smith, Everett