The American Spectator

Reader Mail

The Democrat 55

3.16.06 @ 12:01AM

(Page 8 of 8)

So rather than straining at gnats, perhaps Mr. Chagnon would be better advised to try to focus on the critical issue of winning the war against jihadist Islamism. In a war of this sort, victory cannot be achieved unless one finds a way of binding countries in the region closer to us, and then of transforming them into the type of societies which reject rather than embrace the jihadis. As Arab countries go, the UAE is about as close to the angels as one can get: not only have they provided critical intelligence and logistic support to the war effort (at great risk to themselves), but they have also enacted sweeping banking and security reforms that have made the UAE a place that terrorists avoid. Participating in the Port Security Initiative, Dubai as one of the major entrepots of the world, already participates in our port security efforts by pre-screening containers and cargo at the port of embarkation, and allowing the inspection of cargos and manifests by U.S. customs officials at their end of the supply line. That's something substantive, whereas concerns that nominal ownership of a terminal management company are purely chimerical.
-- Stuart Koehl
Falls Church, Virginia

BIBLICAL PAYBACK
Re: Thom Bateman's letter (under "No Peace Through Surrender") in Reader Mail's Signing On:

Thom, you are correct in your citing Jesus teaching to "turn the other cheek." Absolutely, Jesus did, in Matthew 5:39. However, every scripture must be kept in context: He was telling the Jews of their need not to engage in personal vendettas. The same point is repeated in Romans 12:14-21. Paul said, "Repay no one evil for evil" and "do not avenge yourselves."

Cornelius was the first Gentile follower of Christ (they were not yet called Christians). When he asked what he must do to be saved he was told to "be baptized for remission of his sins." He was never told to relinquish his position as a soldier. God provides governments and leaders, and we are to obey them as long as it does not go against the commands of God.
-- Kevin W.
Morgantown, West Virginia

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS
Re: Ken Shreve's letter (under "Exercising Command") in Reader Mail's Signing On:

Mr. Shreve rightly asks:

"My fellow writers of 'Letters to the Editor' regarding Ben Stein and his (and your) feelings of support for our military in harm's way, I have a question for each of you. When was the last time that you tangibly supported our troops?"

I routinely make it a habit to shake their hand, wish them God speed and thank them for their service whether in my wife's hyper liberal and military hating "church" (more likely especially (!) there!) or on the street. When I see a soldier in uniform having dinner in a restaurant where I am dinning, I routinely pick up the check for their food and drink anonymously. I tell the server that if asked to tell them it's from an old trooper as a sign of respect. I recently paid the check of an Army Ranger who was out with his family just prior to shipping out. I understand my insignificant gesture brightened what was for the soldier and his family a very dark evening.

Not much buts it's something.
-- Craig Sarver
Behind the lines, Seattle, Washington

Letter to the Editor

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