U.S. meddling unneeded

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.”

These are the words, from probably the greatest work produced on our soil, that came to my mind as I watched citizens in Egypt and now across the Middle East protest against their governments. They do not say, “Unless America might lose a friendly tyrant.” They do not say, “With America’s permission.” The reason so many in the region hate us, Mr. Hall (Letters, Feb. 19), is precisely due to the type of meddling you suggest. Better to negotiate with clean hands.

Tim Hamm

Spokane