The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 6 of 9)

BR>Altamont, New York p>Christopher Orlet has eloquently distilled a pair of points I've been making for years: 1) piety and laughter are polar-opposite sensibilities; and 2) too much of the former can destroy the basis of a healthy culture. If the Islamic world really did learn how to laugh -- or at least tolerate those who do -- they just might put down their weapons and end their ridiculous and loathsome war against modernity. The reason why Muslims have never produced anyone analogous to Albert Brooks, Steve Martin or Woody Allen is that comedy among such people is a lethal occupation, at least to its practitioners. BR>-- Carl F. Horowitz BR>Ashburn, Virginia p>In Australia we take pride in our laid back attitude, cynicism to those in power of all persuasions, and literally, we like to "take the piss." If anyone's ever met a Muslim or an Arab, this would be a very dangerous thing. Orlet says "Far from being racist or anti-Islamic satire helps us deal with despotism," and he is absolutely correct. Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are prime examples of the success of lampooning political figures, and the joy and laughter it brings to those who watch. While your Ann Coulter or Bill Maher might just take it a bit too far sometimes, to be able to tolerate this is a measure of the maturity of Western society and the adolescent-style immaturity of the effigy-burning Muslims. If you can't laugh at yourself, you can't get the best out of life. BR>-- Nathan Maskiell BR>Melbourne, Australia p> TRUTH IN PACKAGE OPENING BR>Re: Lawrence Henry's Rip Stop : p>I read Lawrence Henry's column about the hassle of getting packages to disgorge their tasty treats with a certain level of sympathy. Here's my story -- and it goes back a few years.

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