The Issue: President Obama’s speech last week on the War of Terror, a day after an attack in London.
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Paul Sperry’s opinion piece is a brilliantly stated bullseye (“‘You Will Never Be Safe,’” PostScript, May 26).
While extremism in its various forms is abhorrent to most Americans, there is a willful disconnect when it comes to Islamists. When Muslims commit atrocities, such as those in Boston and London, liberals would rather contort themselves into every shape imaginable than call it “Islamist terrorism” or “jihad.”
Indiscriminate and unrestricted war has been declared on us, but we fail to acknowledge it and even pretend it’s not happening, for fear we might offend someone.
We take no notice of the brazen duplicity when polls reveal many Muslims are sympathetic to and even justify and defend the actions of their fellows. Jim Autino
Floral Park
Even though our president refuses to admit it, we must realistically assess the threat from radical Islamic terrorism.
With increasing nuclear threats from rogue states, al Qaeda and Hezbollah, there is a greater existential threat today. This war is certain to continue for a long time.
Radical Islam’s long-term vision is the elimination of Western culture altogether, including its freedoms, women’s equality and religious tolerance. It continues to persist in pressing for the global institution of Sharia law and a unified government that controls and subjugates humanity.
To conclude that this war is over, as the president has, to relax our guard and to be unprepared to defend ourselves is nothing less than irresponsible. Bob Jack
North Las Vegas, Nev.
There is a simple explanation for the failure of our political leadership, along with much of the media, to acknowledge what Muslims really believe about jihad.
This head-in-the-sand denial is the direct result of the sacred-cow treatment of religion throughout our society.
In a nation that exalts faith as one of the highest virtues, and that increasingly looks askance on rationalism, secularism and skepticism, it should come as no surprise that there is great reluctance to cast aspersions on any religion, including Islam.
After all, the American people have a greater distrust of atheists than most other groups, even though atheists, to my knowledge, have not flown planes into skyscrapers, bombed marathons, engaged in honor killings or beheaded people in broad daylight.
Martin Brahms
Brooklyn
Al Qaeda has adapted and changed its tactics from centrally commanded, massive attacks to highly motivated independent contractors capable of inflicting numerous casualties.
The lack of appropriate response from the Western ruling elites is most disturbing. The near-total denial of the evil intentions of the Islamists encourages their pursuit of their goals.
Our so-called leaders will downplay every incident and infer that Western culture and values are at fault. Fundamental change is required on our part. The fault lies not in the stars but in ourselves.
Mark Nahmias
San Tan Valley, Ariz.
What Obama doesn’t understand, or more likely refuses to recognize, is that Islam is not only a religion, but a political and judicial system that is antithetical to all that the West is supposed to stand for.
The root cause of the terror we see almost daily, as it has been since the 9th century, is Islam’s being interpreted by successive waves of purists.William Fisher
Suffern
Exercise your right to free speech to condemn jihad that uses violent acts to desecrate God’s creations, especially if you are Muslim.
God gave us reason and expects better of us.
There should be zero tolerance for the attack in London. There should have been zero tolerance for the attack at Fort Hood. Now is the time to speak out. This will stop when those who perpetrate evil acts find they are not worthwhile.
Historically, radical Islamic terrorists recede when they meet violent ends or are controlled by despotic rule. Do we really have to repeat that history? D. Harvey
Valley Stream