The Issue: The terrorist attack on a mall in Kenya that left scores of innocents dead and even more injured.
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The United States can no longer afford to be the world’s policeman (“Obama Calls Kenyan Mall Attack a Terrible Outrage,” Sept. 23).
I endorse military action to punish criminal entities that attack American interests and kill innocent people to make a political point. I applauded the military action taken to kill Osama bin Laden. I believe criminal entities like al Qaeda need to pay the ultimate price.
The United Nations must deal with criminal actions of the countries whose citizens perpetrate crimes against humanity.
Dana Stern Sr.
Canyon Country, Calif.
After a recent interview with a Post reporter, I wondered aloud to colleagues about how my remarks would be distorted, given the obvious Islamophobic slant of the questions asked (“Muslim Group: ‘Who Cares’ if US Terrorists in Kenya Mall Seige,” Sept. 24).
Well, now I know.
My clear repudiation of all forms of terrorism and religious extremism was turned on its head to falsely imply I don’t care if Americans took part in the horrific terror attack on the shopping mall in Kenya.
In fact, the article quotes me saying “terrorism is terrorism” and should be condemned no matter the national origin of the perpetrators.
As I said clearly — that is, to anyone without a predetermined anti-Muslim agenda — “the American Muslim community has repeatedly and consistently condemned all acts of terrorism, in whatever form they take and wherever they occur.”
Agenda-driven distortions by biased journalists are unworthy of any media outlet that wishes to be viewed as credible, especially when reporting on an important subject.
Ibrahim Hooper
National Communications Director, Council on American-Islamic Relations
Manhattan
What happened in the Kenyan mall is terrible. But I wonder if the citizens in, say, Chicago think it any different from the terror they experience every day — with thugs shooting and killing innocents, and the authorities unable or unwilling to do anything about it.
Sorry, but while what is happening in Kenya is sad, what is happening in this country is far worse, because while we recognize the source of terror there, we won’t recognize the source of terror here.
Barry Levy
Hawthorne, CA