Letters

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Who Is to Blame?

I would like to commend Arab columnist Hazem Saghiyeh for his commentary "It's Not All America's Fault" [VIEWPOINT, Oct. 15]. Saghiyeh wrote that the Arab world has a "certain fixation on the past" and has not established the free press, trade unions and civil society necessary for debating matters related to the common good. Nor have we resolved the question of political legitimacy. We in the Arab world seem unable to fathom the principle that charity starts at home. Unrest is never our fault. It is time for us to realize that we have to fix our own world first, that we actually do have some control of our destiny and that the West is not our enemy. All proud Arabs must see harsh dictators and radical manipulators for what they are and not as heroes.
AMIN K. KAWAR
Amman

Saghiyeh and his compatriots could have used their money, Western education, expertise, talent and brains to build democracy throughout the Arab world. Japan and Germany built postwar democratic institutions. Even nations that were formerly part of the U.S.S.R. umbrella are doing it. Instead, the Arab leadership has spent and wasted gazillions in wars against Israel. Arab leaders use Israel and the U.S. as whipping boys so that their poor and uneducated do not have the time or energy to examine their own greedy rulers.
FRAN WEISS WALDMAN
Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Denouncing the Heretic

When Salman Rushdie wrote the Satanic Verses, which included a mild mockery of some of the verses of the Koran, the Islamic clergy in Iran were quick to call a fatwa against him. When Osama bin Laden made a barbaric mockery of the Koran by killing 5,000 innocent people, the Islamic clergy largely remained silent [VIEWPOINT, Oct. 15]. If ever there were a reason to issue a fatwa, it is for the acts of this criminal who perpetrates terrorism in the name of Islam.
OMER J. KOETS
Noordwijk, the Netherlands

Saudi Arabia's Riches

To billionaire Saudi Investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal al Saud, who urged the U.S. to "wake up, and look at what you are doing in the Middle East" [THE UNEASY ALLY, Oct. 15], I would reply, "Wake up, and look at what you are doing to your own kingdom." The prince chastises the U.S. for our imperfect policies and practices in the Middle East, yet the per capita income for a Saudi is $7,000 a year; the prince has more than $11 billion invested in U.S. holdings alone. Where did that money come from? Not from hard work, but rather from his fortunate birth into the ruling family. How about giving a little back to your own people, Prince Alwaleed? If the estimated 30,000 members of the Saudi royal family would plow their billions back into creating opportunities for Saudi citizens, there might be fewer conditions that spawn the likes of Mohamed Atta and Osama bin Laden.
DANIEL HELLER
New York City

To Win the War

Our American leaders talk about the new war [THE STRATEGY, Oct. 15]. They mention many fronts--financial, economic, intelligence--and the need for flexible and decisive military operations, diplomatic coalition building and humanitarian aid. An additional and equally important "weapon" is informed spiritual outreach and dialogue.

Theologians and clergy of all faiths in America need to articulate our spiritual values and ideals in a clear way. Spiritual leaders need to enter into serious talks with Muslim clergy around the world. We need to find a common ground. World War III will be won not by bullets and bombs but by ecumenical prayer and the best we can mobilize in the human spirit.
PETER OLSSON
Keene, N.H.

Lucky to Be Employed

Your report "paying to keep your job," about how some workers are taking cuts in bonuses and salaries to avoid being laid off [THE ECONOMY, Oct. 15], spoke to some important problems in today's economy. But I must take issue with your example of auto dealer Joe Torchia, whose business was down 27%. While I feel sympathetic about Torchia's loss of business and income, having to cancel a vacation and halt a home-remodeling project are not what I consider hardships, given that the recent economic downturn has put some people out of work and caused them to miss mortgage payments, which could force them from their homes. Torchia should be happy that he still has a job and a home.
VICTOR PEREZ
Schaumburg, Ill.

Time to Travel Light

You reported that U.S. airport-security screeners miss more than 20% of potentially dangerous items that pass through X-ray machines [NOTEBOOK, Oct. 15] and implied that higher wages and better benefits might significantly improve the situation. Though you noted that European screeners are twice as effective, that suggests they still miss about 10% of potentially dangerous items in spite of their superior wages and benefits. That's not much improvement for substantially higher costs. The problem isn't wages; it is that we allow too many items to be carried aboard planes. The more luggage that must be inspected, the greater the probability that dangerous items will be missed.
GABE WASHO
Cadillac, Mich.