Letters

Target: Osama bin Laden

"Remember that every agreement between Americans and Muslims is another rock on bin Laden's grave." MICHAEL M. ROSENBLATT San Jose, Calif.

In at least one sense, Osama bin Laden was not successful [THE WAR, Oct. 1]. One of the stated goals of his terrorist group al-Qaeda is to drive American "infidels" from Islam's sacred soil. But the attacks against innocent civilians on Sept. 11 only resulted in a large U.S. military presence in the Middle East and even greater U.S. resolve. PAUL A. FAWCETT Redmond, Wash.

Like most Americans, I believe it is right to punish terrorists. Our attempt to rid the world of them is proper and just. It would be naive, however, to think that we can accomplish this permanently. There are potential terrorists in the world who are not yet born. We all must share in this effort in the years to come. I am a Korean War veteran and strongly believe in a permanent military draft. All able-bodied young American men should spend at least 18 months in the service of their country. Military service will give them discipline, self-reliance and exposure to others from all walks of life that will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives. And they and America will be the better for it. MICHAEL KUHARCIK Strongsville, Ohio

The Osamas of this world, and those attracted to him, merely attempt to attach themselves to larger causes for the simple and selfish purpose of tearing others down. And as parasites, they must ultimately die or submit to more powerful, legitimate forces. The U.S. is not arrogant; it simply chooses good. It stands for justice and freedom. Those ideals cannot be destroyed by any man, power or principality. America had no choice but to rise up and destroy the malicious and illegitimate power of the Taliban. The sort of hatred practiced by bin Laden will be eliminated. M. SMITH-YEAGER Marietta, Ga.

The U.S. aided Afghanistan's people in a military conflict against the Soviet Union, only to leave when the Soviets were defeated in 1989. A consequence was the introduction of Taliban rule in 1996. The world cannot afford to make such a costly mistake again after the bombing of Afghanistan. History shows that elimination of a threat through a conflict without subsequent resolution ensures future misery. VINCE PESTRITTO Hershey, Pa.

For the first time in a long while, people don't think of themselves as Democrats or Republicans, New Yorkers or Californians. They are Americans. This sense of unity is exactly how it should be during a time of crisis. GAVIN THOMAS Colton, N.Y.

Was it wholly objectionable to put Osama bin Laden's face on the cover of TIME? Although we did so because bin Laden is the focus of the news and the terrorism investigation, plenty of you thought we made the wrong choice. "We have to live with the devastation and loss he caused, but we don't need to look at that evil face, big and bold on the cover of your magazine," wrote an angry woman. A California critic wondered, "Why, with the thousands of images of heroism and patriotism available at this time, did you choose him for your cover?" A Greeley, Colo., reader railed, "How dare you dignify this monstrous creature! Isn't it enough that we have to hear his name 50 times a day?" But a Pennsylvanian chose to indulge in some gallows humor: "Darts should have been included with your picture of the 'target.'"

Help Wanted

Who is Islam's pope John Paul II? Who is Islam's Billy Graham? Please step forward. We need you to condemn Osama bin Laden. We need you to advise the Taliban. We need you to comfort the Afghan people. We need you to help bring peace to this insane world. MICKEY MCGOVERN Woodland Hills, Calif.

Global Nervousness

I am an American pilot living in Kenya. I can understand the urge for revenge and the need to wipe out the terrorists [RETALIATION, Sept. 24]. They have attacked my country, my friends, my way of life and my profession. Military action, however, only breeds another, larger and more determined generation of fanatical, suicidal maniacs. The basic problem is not terrorism but poverty and loss of hope. Bombs and more death won't solve it. DOUG MOREY Nairobi

What Caused the Hate?

Thank you for noting the suffering of the Iraqi children in the story exploring the roots of animosity toward the U.S. in the Middle East [WHY THE HATE? Oct. 1]. When will the U.S. stop punishing the Iraqis with economic sanctions? Children do not choose where they are born. The sanctions won't be lifted until Saddam Hussein does what the U.S. wants. But what have the children in Iraq to do with Saddam's politics? LUC CASTELEIN Oudenaarde, Belgium

After reading "Roots Of Rage," I concluded that to make the Arab radicals happy, we would have to pull out of Saudi Arabia, push the Israelis out of the Palestinian territories, give Saddam Hussein free rein, distance ourselves from Egypt and Algeria and apologize for bombing Sudan--and for the Crusades of centuries past. While all this might have have been remotely possible before Sept. 11, it isn't anymore. And it never will be. ROGER B. RENSVOLD Hong Kong

"Roots Of Rage" was a well-balanced, objective analysis of the mixture of causes for anti-American sentiment in the Arab world. I liked the image of the concentric circles of animosity, describing the whole spectrum from violent fanatics to justifiably aggrieved Arabs. We can only hope that those who have the power to redress these grievances take this threat seriously and start addressing the numerous injustices before many more Arabs who are currently peace-loving get drawn in from the outer circle toward the inner core of violence. FELIX PAHL Berlin

Reciprocal Sympathy Needed

People the world over genuinely grieve with Americans for the civilians killed in the September attacks [WHY THE HATE? Oct. 1]. The problem is that U.S. citizens have little reciprocal feeling for U.S.-engineered human tragedy elsewhere. The U.S. needs to be aware that even among the countries it considers its subordinates and even within affluent nations the U.S. considers its compliant allies, there is growing resentment and impatience with American arrogance. Why do almost all Americans believe that their President is the leader of the free world? The U.S. should be careful how it proceeds. TOM O'NEILL Dublin

One Man's Plan

The war against terrorism will not be simple [LIFE RESUMES, Oct. 1]. Only with diplomacy and the joining together of all civilized countries' intelligence services can we fight this danger. The only thing I can do after Sept. 11 is to go on and try to be better than before. ALESSIO PEDRAZZI Cremona, Italy

Different Options

Should the U.S. have avoided meddling in the internal affairs of Arab countries and let Saddam Hussein take over Kuwait [WHY THE HATE? Oct. 1]? Should we withdraw our support for Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East? This kind of thinking reminds me of how "American imperialism" was blamed by communists for the Third World's problems. Today communist and ex-communist countries are applying the Western economic system and prospering. Those who still blame American imperialism are left a half-century behind. As President Bush said in his speech to Congress, the terrorists will follow their path "all the way, to where it ends: in history's unmarked grave of discarded lies." VICTOR H. ROTBERG Ann Arbor, Mich.

The rage felt by so many in the Middle East is deeply rooted in the failure of Arab and Islamic societies. All around the world we see societies embracing and enjoying the benefits of democracy, capitalism and freedom (especially freedom of religion). The exceptions seem to be in the Islamic world and large parts of Africa. Most of these countries have governments of questionable legitimacy. We do support many of these governments, but when the U.S. departs, things get worse. So what is the solution? Until the Arab world opens up and allows self-criticism, it will be stuck in an endless spiral of scapegoating. It will make no progress in creating viable economies and societies. ZACHARY L. ZANELLO Los Angeles

Despite what our politicians have told us, the terrorists don't hate us because of our freedom, democracy and way of life. They have specific grievances: U.S. support of Israel, our presence in Saudi Arabia and our backing of authoritarian regimes in the region under the banner of American democracy. But dishonest arguments will be used to advance a foreign policy that is bound to create more discontent in the Middle East. I am all for the U.S.'s protecting its interests in any way it can, but I am not for hypocrisy and lies. VARUN GUPTA New York City

Unequal Extremists

Writer Karen Armstrong's statement that fundamentalist movements in Judaism, Christianity and Islam are all "convinced that liberal, secular society is determined to wipe out religions" was misleading [VIEWPOINT, Oct. 1]. While there are extremists in Judaism and Christianity, the actions of this handful of marginal religious fanatics are almost universally repudiated by other Jews and Christians. By way of contrast, Islamic extremism includes thousands of adherents around the globe expressly trained and sworn to kill by leaders like Osama bin Laden. Except for a minuscule number of isolated individuals, Jewish fundamentalists act out their beliefs by railing against the modern world, prohibiting television in their homes and requiring the strictest possible interpretation of Jewish law, such as Sabbath observance. But they do not direct airplanes into the World Trade Center or the Pentagon. PHIL BAUM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AMERICAN JEWISH CONGRESS New York City

The Risks of Pacifism

I believe that every diplomatic option should be exhausted in our pursuit of the terrorists. I pray that peace can be achieved quickly [ANTIWAR MOVEMENT, Oct. 1]. Those who protest war and exercise their freedom of speech in the name of peace, however, fail to understand that this freedom is threatened. They enjoy their freedom solely because of those who were willing to defend it with their lives. Peace often has a price. War has been declared on our nation. How many more casualties will there be before the protesters recognize this? GARETT WOOD Santa Ana, Calif.

Pacifism is the way to utter disaster. Outrageous terrorism should perhaps be repaid in kind, in the present case by destroying Afghanistan, just as leveling Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended the war with Japan. This could be done without endangering the lives of our armed forces and will send an undisputed message to international terrorists. EDWARD G. NISBETT Navarre, Fla.

To the war protesters: get down on your knees, and thank the thousands of men and women who gave their lives for your right of free speech over all the years of this country's existence. JANET DETTLAFF Waukesha, Wis.

Hands Off Our Planes

RE the recent article mentioning the possibility of using crop-dusting planes to disperse chemical or biological agents [TERROR WEAPONS, Oct. 1]: I am a 31-year veteran agricultural pilot. Most of us are flying very expensive, turbine-powered aircraft and use global-positioning-system guidance devices. Your report that a crop-dusting manual was found in the belongings of a suspected terrorist was hardly noteworthy. If he happened to luck out and get such an airplane started, I doubt he could get it off the ground. It takes many hours of instruction in this type of aircraft to take off, much less land safely. Most of us pilots are down-to-earth, hardworking, patriotic Americans who would blow any terrorist to hell and back if he even thought about messing with us or our airplanes. PIERRE SMITH Louisville, Ga.

Monitoring Foreign Students

RE your story about the requirements foreign students must meet to get a visa to study in an American college [FORTRESS AMERICA, Oct. 1]: The Association of International Educators (NAFSA) has not "reversed its position" of opposing the creation of a database of all foreign students. We said we would withdraw our opposition in the spirit of national unity. But we still believe that monitoring the less than 2% of temporary visa holders who have student visas will do nothing to counter terrorism. MARLENE M. JOHNSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CEO NAFSA: Association of International Educators Washington