Posted July 16, 2002

Sensible Article

Thank you for posting the eminently sensible article "'Evil Islam' and the Christian Right" Supply Side Investor, July 11, 2002. As an American born Hindu I have often felt exasperation toward many Islamic nations for their foreign policies, use of terrorism as a weapon of state and religious intolerance and, by association, toward all Muslims. After reading this article and others like it I am reminded of why this is wrong.

I attended high school in India were I came in contact with many Indian Muslims. I had teachers who were Muslim. Two of my best friends from highschool -- Imtiaz and Farid -- were Muslim. My other highschool buddies were Matthew, a Christian, and Shivram, a Hindu. Great guys one and all -- we enjoyed growing up together and going to school together. Incidentally, when I first enrolled in school in India two guys took me under their wings -- Dillip and Ghazanfar -- the former a Jain and the latter a Muslim.

Later, when I came to college in the United States, one of my best friends was Tayyab, an American of Pakistani Muslim heritage. A more loyal friend and trusted colleague you could not hope to meet -- a gentleman to the core.

When I read about William Bennett, Ann Coulter or their ilk disparaging Muslims it is obvious to me that they have never had the pleasure of knowing or befriending a Muslim. I wish they could have had my experience but unfortunately it is probably too late for them.

~ Vijay Venkataraman

Over the Top

While I join Justin Raimondo in criticizing housing discrimination in Israel, it does seem that comparing Israel to Nazi Germany is over the top.

As bad as the policy is, it doesn't seem any worse than the government-sponsored discrimination against Native Americans and African Americans in the US.

Additionally, invoking the still-painful memories of the Holocaust seems more likely to provoke than enlighten.

~ Jessica Ramer

Antithesis of Faux News

Sascha Matuszak's China columns ... are all really good.

Really glad for the website/alternative news source. Thank you.... You are the antithesis of "Faux News".

~ Tracey M.

East / West

While I agree with much of what you [Justin Raimondo] write in your columns, I must take exception with one of the ideas of your most recent column regarding Israel's increased 'nazification.' It is clear that Israel is continuing its slide down the fascist path. However, your equation of this slide with an Easternization of Israeli culture is puzzling (especially given your usually cogent arguments). National socialism is a Western idea. You refer repeatedly to Israel's resemblance to Germany, yet accept Goldstein's arguments that this is due to an influx of eastern immigrants. Even if the theory is meant to explain Israel's slide into 'fundamentalism' it is seriously flawed. You have pointed out in previous columns the role of Christian and Jewish fundamentalism in Israel's fascist leanings. This brand of fundamentalism again comes out of the West -- namely the US. Israel's fascist persuasions cannot be pinned on an influx of Eastern immigrants. These tendencies have existed since the beginning of Israel and simply become more pronounced over time.

~ BR

How Many Jewells?

I have read much about the Constitution, etc., regarding the prisoners in Guantanamo. When is somebody going to state the obvious, and that is "How Many Richard Jewells are in Camp X-Ray?" If the Olympic bombing happened last year, poor Richard would still be in a brig somewhere without access to an attorney. The crimes and bungling of the FBI would never come to light.

~ David M.

Bumper Stickers

Hearty congratulations to you on [linking to the] ... letter [by Patricia Wanniski] to the president regarding the stereotyping of Islam by right wing Christians.

I have one suggestion: we should have bumper stickers so that more Americans visit your web site. Because every day behind one car there are so many different cars.

The bumper stickers can give catchy slogans like:

• What is the rage behind 9/11?
• US gave $140 Billion aid to apartheid Israel state.
• 1 million people dead in Iraq in US sanctions
• What is US foreign policy in the Middle East?
  • Details Antiwar.com"

~ Ali A.