Democracy is the freedom to criticize

This letter is in response to Gavin Murphy's, "A 'backwards view' of U.S. history" and is also a few ruminations of my own. I would first like to address the issue of communism. Currently in the United States, there is a gross misunderstanding of what communism truly means. A distinction must be made between the original writings of communist theory and what has actually been put into practice in China, the former Soviet Union, Cuba and elsewhere. I am not proposing that these examples are without fault, but there is a difference between the theory and the practice of communism in these instances.

I also think now would be an appropriate time to question what exactly capitalism has done for U.S. society. Moreover, what has capitalism meant for a majority of the world? Mr. Murphy, as quoted in the article, says, " ·she expressed disapproval that there is a law against advocating the overthrow of our democratic form of government." Unfortunately, there is no true democracy to overthrow in the U.S. but instead a representative republic. Even more unfortunate is the fact that those who own more, the "capitalists," have a greater representation in the government, while the working class, the "majority," has little true representation. Perhaps in the future, people will realize this and seek out means of eliminating wealth as a requisite to serving and participating meaningfully in our government.

I am not supporting one system of government over another. I only ask that each individual arrive at one's own conclusions about what is best for one's self-interests and one's country and to look at the facts of history and what those facts have to say about capitalism and U.S. foreign policy. It is shocking to see what has been left out of our history textbooks and now constitutes the "backward view of history." There is something to be said of the clichˇ, "History is written by the victors." It is time to face the fact that many people around the world consider the biggest supporter of "terrorist states," the greatest element of the "axis of evil," to be our own government of the United States of America. The United States is a powerful country, with the ability to pretty much do whatever it wants. The true greatness of the United States stems from the fact that we as citizens can criticize our government in order to improve our nation.

Chris Buja
religious studies senior

The 'culture we hold so dear'

I feel compelled to challenge anyone (i.e., Gavin Murphy's letter in the Feb. 8 edition) who "know(s) that our enemies are in our midst" and believes that "we could use another man like 'Tail Gunner' Joe (McCarthy) right now." The fears and uncertainties after Sept. 11, 2001 are justifiable, as they were in February 1950. But I do not know how Mr. Murphy's claim of "knowledge of true history" leads him to champion the ruthless exploitation of these fears by Republican Senator McCarthy (who was never a "tail gunner") for partisan political gain, not national security.

Since it is the 52nd anniversary of McCarthy's infamous Lincoln's birthday speech, where he claimed to have a list of 205 communists (the numbers changed often, down to 81, then 57, and finally "a lot") in the U.S. State Department, it is important to recall the "true history" lesson of what McCarthyism means, and why any appeal to its political efficacy must be rejected by all Americans.

The historical record shows that McCarthy never uncovered one communist, in the government or (otherwise). But his public accusations without evidence needlessly destroyed the lives of many innocent Americans. Finally, McCarthy overreached (as most power-hungry demagogues do) and accused the U.S. army of harboring communists, disgraced himself during a nationally televised hearing, was censured by the Senate and drank himself to death.

The last thing the United States and the world needs now is demagogic hysteria that dares to threaten the "elimination" of "enemies in our midst" based on different or unpopular ideas, politics, religions, or cultures. Since it is also Black History Month, and only a few weeks after the Martin Luther King holiday, we should not forget that the F.B.I. branded Dr. King and the civil rights movement as communist, and hounded him until his death. Fear and suspicion must be overcome by responsible leaders, not inflamed by the destructive forces of political opportunism by men like McCarthy or J. Edgar Hoover, or the historical reductionism of Mr. Murphy.

Things have - and can - easily get out of hand, and wreak havoc with the democratic values and culture we hold so dear. Be careful what you wish for. You might just get it. And that would be a tragedy for us all.

John M. Shaw
history graduate student

Letter writers lack Jewish understanding

I'm writing this in response to the (letter) in (last) week's Wildcat, describing the supposed ease that Jews have in converting to Christianity in comparison to the difficult process of leaving Christianity to become a Jew. Over the last week and a half I have read the radical ranting of people and their spiritual ideals, many of whom have no idea of what it is like to be a Jew. First of all, I would like to make some corrections to the recent editorial. The main separation of the Jews did not occur at the fall of Jerusalem, but at the time when Christ gained influence and attained a following. Now as for the smooth conversion from Judaism to Christianity that this article described, I think there are a few details that the author failed to notice or at least heed mention to.

There are different degrees of Judaism just as there are different degrees of Christianity. Each degree of Judaism involves even more customs and spiritual aspects than the one before it. Raised as a Conservative Jew (the middle of the chain), if I were ever to alter my spiritual perspective and convert to Christianity I would live with the knowledge that my Conservative parents were sitting "shivah" for me. Sitting shivah is the customary tradition that Jews follow when they are mourning a loss in their family. In other words, to my family, I would be dead.

Furthermore, the assumption that one may maintain the title and status of being a Jew while considering Jesus Christ his/her messiah is a complete contradiction of Judaism. Messianic Judaism is what most Jews see as an oxymoron. One will not find the teachings of Christ in the torah, or the tenach (the old testament), the spiritual texts of Judaism. Lastly, just as Christians develop a strong spiritual sense of self, so do Jews. Most of these articles seem to overlook that Jews too have a sense of identity. Jewish adolescents are raised to know who they are, especially as an American minority. Those who do not have this self and spiritual awareness are the ones most likely to convert. (This applies to any other following or religion). Last week, the articles on conversion exemplified a kind of ignorance that we as the future need to overcome. In the United States, where we are exposed to such a diverse environment, it is imperative that people get past their personal preconceptions and respect even those who take a different approach to life. Respecting other people and their beliefs means understanding them.

Clearly, the authors of last week's letters in no way understood what it means to be a Jew.

Naomi Garnice
English and creative writing freshman

No justification for killing

I wish to respond to Dr. Sheldon Clare's letter accusing that my facts about the Palestinian suffering are untrue and nothing more than "Iranian propaganda." Unless you think that BBC world news is "Iranian propaganda," your claim is nonsense. I would strongly recommend reading the facts for yourself (http://news.bbc.co.uk). Perhaps try something different than CNN.

You want facts, Dr. Clare, here are the facts. In my article, all I asked for was fair representation in an ongoing conflict between two sides. Your response was that Israel is democratic. Are you claiming that that is a justified reason to kill Palestinians? Where in my article did I support Saudi Arabia's unfair treatment of Christians, and more importantly, what was your point of even raising that issue? Are you in some way trying to say that that gives Israel the right to oppress an entire group of people?

It seems you are trying to put me into a position of defending one government over another. My point is beyond governments; my point is that killing is wrong, and if you read the news, you would know both sides have been in a cycle of killing and violence. My point is that neither side has that right or has any justification for killing innocent people.

Armand Navabi
computer science junior