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Friday October 19, 2001
Terrorists' attacks are hate crimes
Kate Mahady's pacifist voice, expressed in her letter to the editor Oct. 11, is a troubling one. Perhaps most disturbing is her claim that protesters of America's current action in Afghanistan "likely know far more about the nature of the events than do those who are blindly supporting American violence." This assumption is one rooted in ignorance and misunderstanding.
Mahady is under the illusion that the Sept. 11 attacks were an attempt to send a message to American government concerning our foreign policy in the Middle East. This is exactly the sympathy bin Laden, clearly a neo-Hitler, is attempting to promote. It's time America viewed the attacks for what they truly are: a hate crime of tremendous proportion.
Our freedom - our very way of life - is a threat to the extremist religion these terrorists practice. The cry of "unfair foreign policy" is nothing more than an endeavor to rally support from other factions of the Muslim community. What better way to justify an agenda of hate than by hiding behind a legitimate issue? Even if we change policy, they will no doubt find another rationalization for their actions.
Darren Green
UA alumnus
Planned Parenthood prepared for attacks
Here's a headline: Ninety-one Planned Parenthood organizations have received letters containing a powdery white substance in the last few days. This was an organized event, with the letters containing the seal and return address of law enforcement agencies and the directive "Open Immediately." Terrorism like this is perpetrated every day in the United States, and yet we don't see the buildings being emptied when Planned Parenthood receives threats, like we saw with the Senate and NBC. For information, we have to go to www.plannedparenthood.org.
We are outraged when women are stoned to death by the Taliban, and yet seven abortion providers have been killed in the last few years in the United States. We are shocked when Muslim women are not allowed to leave their homes and receive medical care, yet hundreds of women are prevented from entering clinics every week to receive medical care in the United States.
We decide to declare a "War on Terrorism," and everyone in America suddenly puts a flag in his car. But the national news organizations don't even carry the story when terrorism occurs in our own backyard. Whether you agree with organizations that include abortion services or not, it is a federal law to provide them.
Here's the kicker: The young women who received those letters at Planned Parenthood, receptionists and assistants, had already received training in how to handle an attack through the mail. They've been dealing with it for years.
Mary-Frances O'Connor
graduate student
UA host of liberal anarchists
I am writing in response to the article concerning the blood drive on page one of yesterday's Wildcat. I find the lack of response to the life-saving blood drive typical of liberal hypocrisy. The left-wingers in this liberal bastion known as the University of Arizona will not even give a pint of blood to save human lives, but they will riot for a squirrel's habitat. God save us from the anarchy the liberals would like to bring upon us.
Silas Montgomery
undeclared freshman
Armstrong column intolerant
I was disappointed at the total lack of tact by Mr. Armstrong in his "Prayers Go Ballistic" commentary. While it was admittedly witty, ridiculing someone because of his or her belief in God is unnecessary. "Tolerance" is the mantra of today's society and yet, for some reason, this seems to not include faith in God. Why, it doesn't make sense to believe in something you can't see.
Prayer is an important aspect of nearly all religions; obviously when a person believes in God, then communication, an integral part of all relationships, is desired and required. Whether you agree or not with the methods this group uses, are they harming you? Are they violating your rights and freedom? As a Christian, I have to make sure I don't pray in school because I might offend someone. I am made to feel defensive because I believe the Bible is the true inspired word of God, and I aspire to follow its teachings. I have to be careful whom I talk to about my faith so people don't feel I am pushing my beliefs on them.
But tell me, who's making sure I - as a Christian - am not offended? The government isn't protecting me from hearing Eminem at 150 decibels from a car driving down the street, because that's freedom of speech. Our society wants equal protection for everyone? The media should be setting the example by showing tolerance instead of mocking what you don't understand.
Chelsea Canale
family studies junior
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