The Issue: The Pakistani Taliban shooting of Malala Yousafzai, a 14-year-old advocate for girls’ education.
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Now we know what the Taliban are afraid of. Not drone attacks or bombs — but books (“Taliban Savagery,” Editorial, Oct. 14).
By their cowardly attack on Malala Yousafzai, a strong proponent of education for women, they have indicated to us how we can defeat them.
Rather than spending billions of American dollars on drone attacks, we should use this money to build schools and spread books in that region.
Let us join hands with a 14-year-old Pakistani girl and let the power of education, not war, defeat the Taliban.
Nasir Ahmad
Tinton Falls, NJ
In the entire vocabulary of moral condemnation, there are no terms even remotely adequate to characterize the attack on Malala.
This incident should galvanize even our most reluctant and grudging allies in the region into redoubling their efforts to eradicate all the components of the infrastructure that produces and protects the perpetrators.
In the search for historical parallels to the superhuman bravery of this little girl, only Joan of Arc comes to mind.
David Rabinovitz
Brooklyn
The Taliban are the real cause of drone attacks in Pakistan.
Pakistani politician Imran Khan, who opposes drone attacks, needs to review his party strategies.
How would Khan feel if Malala was his daughter?
The Taliban’s existence is dangerous for Pakistan’s sovereignty and world peace efforts.
President Obama should ask the Pakistani government to take immediate military action against the Taliban movement.
If they need help, we should assist them.
Dawar Naqvi
Yorba Linda, Calif.
I am pleasantly surprised that the Pakistani police have taken a step forward by arresting suspects allegedly responsible for shooting the 14-year-old girl who courageously stood up to the Taliban in defense of her right to an education.
The Pakistani police’s willingness to target the Taliban today is refreshing and is a step in the right direction.
Saad Karamat
Sacramento, Calif.
Edmund Burke once said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”
We see evil triumph because America has lost its way and its nerve. Evil rules the roost in places like Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The forces of darkness tried to snuff out the life of a young girl who dared to defy them by declaring she is a human being and she has the right to better her life.
Yet we have a president who wants to end the fight against darkness and who seeks peace at any price.
If the Taliban isn’t destroyed, Western civilization will be ruled by savages.Gary Schwartz
Fort Lee
I have a question for the United Methodist Women, who opposed pro-Israel, anti-savage subway ads: What word would you use to describe people who shoot a 14-year-old girl in the head for wanting to go to school?
Perhaps these women should travel to Pakistan and preach their message of love and peace there. John Lacey
Southold
While Malala’s shooting by the Pakistani Taliban for the sin of attending school was a cowardly act, people there should use prudence when sending their girls to school.
The fact of the matter is it is far too dangerous to send a girl to school in that area.
Tom Dilberger
Belmar, NJ