Wednesday November 14, 2001

Kunnie commentary disappointing

I was disappointed yesterday when I saw that the Wildcat would invite someone to publish such stupidity regarding the war in Afghanistan in the prominent fashion Kunnie's piece was afforded.

I found his introduction quite hilarious: "How would [Afghan] children at soccer practice feel if they saw a U.S. Air Force jet overhead?" Well, Julian, with all due respect, I don't think there are many children playing soccer in Kabul, especially considering that the Taliban uses the soccer stadium primarily for public executions.

It is also particularly insulting that you would bring up the issue of the ration packets and cluster bombs both being the same color like we did it on purpose. Our government addressed this problem quickly by warning the Afghan people and even changed the future color.

Many people like Kunnie preaching relativism at this early and dangerous stage say we should look at the root causes. I find it ironic that a lot of Muslim governments are saying the same thing, since they ARE the problem!

Lastly, we have done the people of Afghanistan a great favor. True, innocents perished, though not nearly as much as the Taliban/Kunnie count, but that is war, and far more have perished in the ongoing civil war and under the Taliban's rule. Look what we have accomplished in conjunction with the northern alliance!

The road through Kabul is clear, and our friends press on. Now, the United Nations can deliver supplies effectively! International aid workers will not have to worry about being beaten by the Taliban or being thrown in prison for "preaching Christianity."

But this is immoral? Put the race card away before you hurt somebody, Julian. Why don't you go join your friends in the Afghan caves if you feel so worthy of judging what is moral and immoral? Leave the civilization saving to us infidels.

Denzel Chambers

Tucsonan

Americans should not resort to revenge

In such a short letter, Seth Peck managed to hit a lot of nerves and make a lot of really ignorant points. How incredibly disrespectful to assume to know the opinions and the type of people who died in those attacks. That group of people was as diverse as any other group of people and to say that a hunger fast is somehow disrespectful to their memory is disgusting. I'm sure there are families of victims in New York who support the bombing in Afghanistan. But I can also assure that there are many people who do not.

Losing someone you love can change your worldview in a matter of moments. And it affects each and every person differently. Some people will react out of anger at having someone taken from them so violently and unfairly and seek out revenge, even if it's not aimed at the right person or people, others will be angrier still that the United States is killing more innocent people in the name of their friend or family member who died in the attacks. The people that died in those attacks represented many walks of life. No one has a right to presume to speak for them. Not you Seth, not me, not anyone.

The people who fasted for 48 hours gave up their time, all of their energies, and all of themselves not for any kind of personal benefits, but to bring attention to the fact that 7.5 million people in Afghanistan are on the brink of starvation because of the U.S bombing campaigns.

No disrespect of any kind was shown for the people who died in those attacks. This entire country felt the pain and the horror of that day. You, me and everyone else I know.

What is disrespectful about not wanting to see more people suffering the loss of their loved ones? About not wanting to see the people of Afghanistan die at the hands of our government in the name of revenge? Does the fact that they aren't American matter? Because I can't imagine how else you might justify their deaths. This certainly isn't their fault. Talk about disrespect for victims and their families.

Meredith Smith

international studies junior

War protesters aid the Taliban

Exactly what do Mariam Durrani and the other American Neville Chamberlains think we're doing, carpet bombing the Afghan cities? If we wanted to kill civilians, there are a lot more economical ways to go about it. Does she think we have some sort of anti-Taliban ray that will annihilate only the Taliban and not disturb the pristine rubble surrounding them?

If the anti-war protesters really want to aid the Taliban more, then they should strap themselves to our bombs to screw with their accuracy, it's the least they could do for their effort (I'd pay for their plane tickets!). I do realize how inflammatory that last statement was and am fully willing to take all hate mail that will obviously be associated with it. It's how I feel, and if you disagree I really don't give a damn!

Tylor Brand

history freshman