Letters for January 10, 2002

I am writing in response to Paul Morrison’s letter. Did he actually read the article or just stare at it for a while?

Nadiah Beekun, the Muslim woman in the article, made it clear that Muslim women actually have a lot more power than most people think they do. Because she is a devout follower of the Koran and Hadith, and has been practicing from what seems to be about her 20s, I think she would know a lot more about the Muslim religion than a white skateboarder.

From my understanding, it has been mentioned in a variety of news sources (as well as in this article) that the Taliban follow their own interpretation of the Muslim religion. They don’t follow the traditional interpretations most do.

There is no better time for understanding than now. I am in no way agreeing with what the Taliban has done, but we cannot hate all Muslims and hold them accountable for the actions of the Taliban. If people keep this kind of attitude about the situation and don’t educate themselves on what’s really going on (instead of what the media feeds them) and how things really are, it will only breed more hate and ignorance. Nothing will be solved then, and we’ll be right back at square one, mourning the loss of thousands of Americans.

Nicole Clark
Reno

Bring on Oil-Dri
More leftist, victim psycho-babble. A disingenuous argument against Oil-Dri is used by the eco-fascist Sierra Club, which wants to be rid of the 1897 mining laws, and the race-baiting PLAN, the “liberal” leadership alliance of Nevada. The argument by these crowds will in time prove futile. Theirs is a vile attempt to economically choke a level playing field for an already screwed-up tax structure.

Imagine $12 million from Oil- Dri Corp. in annual revenue to public coffers. Imagine telling this business that it is not wanted due to a race card in play and a hijack by leftist extremism.

A. Anderson
Reno

Airplane noise is evil
I am a 46-year-old working mother who recently bought a home in the Double Diamond area. This is the dream home I wish I could have bought years ago. Now I hear the airport wants to add a flight path right over my house. I’m raising four teenagers, so I have enough noise in my life. If I didn’t mind the airplane noise, I would have moved somewhere else. My husband and I work very hard, and when we come home, we greatly appreciate some sense of peace and security. Our home is our sanctuary. Please don’t invade it with the excessive noise, health and environmental concerns this proposed new flight path would surely bring.

Angela Gianola
Reno

Terrorism in Israel
Re “Why Defend Israel?” [RN&R Guest Comment, Dec. 13]:

I read Ira Hansen’s comment, and I think he has several of his facts wrong. All the founders of modern Israel were not terrorists. The official group called the Haganah was against terrorism.

The fact is that more money is given to Egypt each year than is given to Israel.

I am not defending many actions taken by the Israelis, but certainly the terrorist attacks in Israel, killing innocent children, should be condemned by the world. These are children who didn’t even throw rocks.

When Israel was created by a majority vote of the United Nations, all the Arab states attacked Israel and proclaimed a Jihad until every Jew was driven into the sea.

I think Mr. Hansen is your average anti-Semite.

Phylis Salom
Reno

Love you, love your ‘toon
I love your newspaper. It seems to be the only one worth reading in the area. Thank you for that and This Modern World which is consistently entertaining.

Diana Auer
via e-mail