Peace not on the agenda

Re: Mr. Michael Poulin’s letter on July 22 (“Let facts tell the story”). Mr. Poulin is either too young to remember, ignorant of historical events or perhaps doesn’t recognize the right of Israel to exist in the first place. In any case, it is truly sad to see such symmetrical moral equivalency applied time and again to Israeli actions.

Just to set the “facts” straight, the Israel Defense Forces soldiers recently abducted were all inside Israeli sovereign territory. The terrorists doing the abducting did so via incursions from territories recently unoccupied by Israel in a sincere effort toward peace.

Nor did Mr. Poulin recognize in his summing up of who killed whom the thousands of Israeli civilians killed because they were purposely targeted by terrorists who purposely hide among their own civilian populations.

Not until people like Mr. Poulin open their eyes and ears will they hear the clearly stated and official objectives of outfits such as Hamas and Hezbollah. It is not a fight to exist in a homeland of their own in peace as those choosing to ignore the real facts would have you believe; it’s a fight for the complete annihilation of Israel and Jews as they believe their God has dictated.

Eric Morris

Spokane

Israel not the bad guy

Two letters recently proclaimed Israel’s aggression against their neighbors. One even stated that “Israel has turned into Hitler’s Nazi Germany” (“Behind the learning curve”). Both letters appeared July 21 in this paper.

1. Aggression. Israel is not the aggressor! True, the U.N. gave them a piece of desert to live on, but since then they have had to fight off Arab aggression. There was no need for Hezbollah to cross the border and murder five soldiers and capture two, this after six years of peace along the Lebanon-Israel border. This was called by Syria and Iran. And who has the rockets?

2. Hitler’s army. I don’t see the Israeli army “goose-stepping” through Jerusalem or Bethlehem. But I do see “goose-stepping” armies in both Tehran and Pyongyang. Now tell me, who are the Hitler wannabes? If you are older, you should remember this part of history; if you are younger, I hate to think of what the area schools are teaching.

Fact: Eight Iranian-guided missile scientists were in North Korea on July 4. Were they there for a celebration of peace or a celebration of aggression? I’ll let you decide.

God bless America.

Cliff Borns

Spokane

Hope for Lebanon

I recently heard one of the Sunday morning political talk show hosts conclude his show by making a series of comments about the Middle East and ended each one by saying “because it’s the Middle East.” Perhaps this sounds simplistic but I can relate to it having worked and traveled in the region for four years in the early ‘80s. The Middle East is a world of its own and it is special with historical, political and religious connotations.

And now there is more upheaval with the situation in Lebanon. And President Bush and his team must encounter and resolve the situation. I certainly do not want to see the good people of Lebanon, some of whom I worked with, return to the condition that existed when I was in the region.

And I hope that this time our government forms its policy without input from the neocons. We are still paying for their input relating to Iraq, which some believe has resulted in a “fiasco.”

The only positive thing to happen so far is that Vice President Cheney is seemingly maintaining the same secrecy he did in regard to his energy group.

Mike McKinnon

Spokane

Human rights at stake

Complacency kills. Every day, I awake to news of the latest fatalities in Iraq and reports from our country’s leaders who arrogantly defend the atrocities we are committing. And now, we stand by as the Israelis destroy Lebanon once again, killing hundreds of civilians, destroying bridges and infrastructure. Let’s not forget the Palestinians, whom our beloved Israel is holding hostage.

Who cares? Apparently not this country because we provide billions of dollars of aid to Israel each year so they can turn around and buy their arsenal from U.S. corporations. It’s good for the economy!

When are U.S. citizens going to stand up for what is right? Our government is the most blatant offender of human rights. Get informed with news from the Peace and Justice Action League. Talk about these important issues. Nothing is more important. There is no time to waste.

Our country is founded on decent, honorable principles that the Bush administration is choosing to ignore. It’s good for the economy, you know. Doesn’t anyone care? Where is the passion and concern for humanity? I don’t see it. And, I am appalled at the lack of interest or concern. People, Bush is not “the decider” – we are!

Courtney Susemiehl

Spokane