Cooper points out that the hijackers weren’t the poor, rising up against oppression. But so what? The American Marines, and the culture they represent, aren’t either. Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein — wacko fascists that they are — see themselves involved in a long struggle between societies, and believe they must use violence to get what they want. Just like us.
Finally, Cooper predicts that a socialist society in the United States would make the fanatics hate us even more. Does this mean we have to abandon the social safety net? And how does Cooper know this? Is he implicitly agreeing with President Bush’s war cry, “They hate us because we are free”? If so, why don’t they hate Japan, New Zealand, Hong Kong, India, France, Sweden, Canada, etc.? They hate us because we are imperialists disguised as Democrats. The kind of society Chomsky envisions would not use military might, as the U.S. has done for a century, to protect oil. In that case, maybe they wouldn’t hate us.
—Abe Fabrizio Long Beach
BOTH DEAD WRONG
So, Sara Catania thinks that outgoing Illinois Governor George Ryan is a hero because he commuted the death sentences of 167 inmates to life! [“The Accidental Hero,” January 17–23]. Considering the acts of brutality of these men, including torture and rape as well as murder, it’s hard to understand Catania’s position. It is impossible to accept it as moral. She says that Ryan is now spoken of in the same breath as the Nobel Peace Prize — along with mass murderer Arafat, no doubt. It is ironic that many of America’s liberals and progressives are out to save the skins of some of the worst killers in the world — Arafat, Saddam Hussein, even the common murderers who have terrorized our own communities.
Catania calls herself a “crime and communities” researcher. Going easy on murderers only endangers the very communities she ostensibly cares about. What next, amnesty for Osama bin Laden?
—Bob Kirk Los Angeles
Re: Steven Mikulan’s “Who Would Jesus Bomb?” [January 24–30]. What an asinine story. Iraq is who he would bomb. The Iraqis are non-believers, and their leader is a tyrant dictator who murders and rapes his own people. He hates Christianity and the Jews. He does not believe in the fact that Jesus died on the cross as a substitute for all of the human race. The article is written by a person who knows little about Bible doctrine, which is the reason our country was punished on 9/11. He can find out the truth at www.berachah.org. This thinking is killing our country, just as it did Rome. President Bush is a believer in God and an excellent leader. Liberalism is killing the country also.
—Brad Wilson Muncie, Indiana
DEAD RIGHT
Had Doug Ireland taken the time to research his article “I’m Linda, Fly Me” [January 17–23] like a professional journalist, he would have known that Northwest Airlines not only was nowhere nearbankruptcy, but has beaten analysts’ expectations continually over the last eight years. Northwest has been among the most profitable of the five major airlines in the U.S.
DEAD HEAD
I have no words to express my admiration for Marc Cooper’s article “The Real Thing” [Dissonance, January 31–February 6]. It’s an incredible relief to realize there are still people who can see where the Bush administration’s arrogant and ignorant attitude toward the rest of the world is taking us. Does anyone else see in his face the pure fear that I see? He is a scared child — with a loaded gun.
—Marcelo Coelho Los Angeles
MUD SLINGING
I was present at Ronnie Mack’s last Barn Dance, reviewed by Jonny Whiteside in the current Live in L.A. column [January 31–February 6]. I was truly dumbfounded by Whiteside’s assault on Randy Weeks’ performance, which read like a personal attack. My friends and I had a good time listening and dancing in the aisles to Mr. Weeks and band. Whiteside should keep his angst, frustration and jealousy (that’s what it sounds like to me) to himself and let those of us with good taste enjoy ourselves. Perhaps the reference to a “sun-dried mud pie” was really just a reflection he saw in the mirror while shaving.
—W. Kessler Venice
WHO’S SONYA?
Brendan Bernhard’s story on the miniseries Crime and Punishment [“Students Against Old Ladies,” Box Populi, January 24–30] comes with a photo of the actress playing Sonya. The caption says that it is Kate Ashfield, but I’m quite sure it is actually Lara Belmont.
—Steve Cindoyan Fairfax Station, Virginia
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