Letters

(2 of 3)

Too Blind to See

Your article about how U.S. truckers and bus drivers are being enlisted to spot terrorists left me disappointed by the level of ignorance that prevails in the U.S. [July 5]. Training truck drivers to be watchful is sensible, but the lack of focus on cultural nuances and sensitivities is a big mistake. The truckers' parochial and prejudiced behavior like calling Indian Sikhs "Islamics"--reflects this ignorance. Not every Muslim is fanatic, and not every turban-wearing guy is a terrorist. Muslims from different countries embrace very different ideals. I am sure the Department of Homeland Security could do a better job of providing cultural-sensitivity training.
FAISAL SIDDIQUI
Bombay

French Resistance

Essayist Charles Krauthammer thinks that France's failure to help out in Afghanistan and Iraq is dangerous and deadly [July 12]. He asserted that the French vetoed the use of NATO's rapid-reaction force in Afghanistan because they are hoping to become the broker between the Islamic world and the West. France's behavior is just another result of Bush's failed foreign policy. Immediately after 9/11, the U.S. had the world's attention and sympathy. Had our President rallied our allies to send thousands of troops to Afghanistan, we would have not only crushed the Taliban but also sent a strong message to the rest of the world that freedom-loving countries will never allow foreign governments to harbor or assist terrorists.
EVAN GOULD
Jacksonville, Fla.

The reason for France's continued sabotage of U.S. foreign policy, especially with regard to Afghanistan, Iraq and terrorism, is a deep fear of the Muslim and Arab world. France will probably become a Muslim country in the future. The spirit of the Vichy government during the German occupation that Krauthammer referred to has been reborn today in the form of France's appease-the-Muslims policy.
VINCENT P. FLURY
Miami

Instead of fewer than 20,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan and more than 135,000 in Iraq, there should have been 50,000 in Afghanistan and none in Iraq. Krauthammer shouldn't blame France for the dire situation in Afghanistan; France had nothing to do with it. RAFAEL MIRABAL-CONDE Caguas, Puerto Rico

Bringing the War Home

Re "The Hidden Scars of Battle" [July 12], on the postwar psychological disorders of veterans of the Iraq war: I know too well the effects on a family of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). My father is 88 years old and a World War II veteran. When I was about age 5, I noticed my father's strange behavior, but I didn't realize what was going on until I became a police officer and dealt with PTSD myself. My father still suffers panic attacks and explosive outbreaks. He finally decided to get help at age 82, but therapy groups did not work. The wounds were too deep. Speedy intervention is most important. The longer one waits, the harder it is to overcome PTSD. ADA LANA-SIMMS West Henrietta, N.Y.