VIEWPOINTS

Debating Pakistan Policy

U.S. Fickle With Pakistan

Pakistanis in the United States and back home have always denounced
terrorism, and condemn the attack on America.

President George W. Bush has put pressure on Pakistani President Pervez
Musharraf to join in the alliance for possible military retaliation against
suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden hiding in neighboring Afghanistan.
Pakistan has agreed to unconditional support for the United States.

Twice before during international crises Pakistan has cooperated with the
United States. First, against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan during the
1980s; but soon after the communists' demise, the United States neglected
its friendship with Pakistan.

During Desert Storm, again Pakistan fully cooperated. The United States
backed away from its friendship with Pakistan soon after its victory
against Iraq and even placed sanctions against Pakistan.

Now America needs its little friend's help again. Does America believe in
friendship, indeed, or just in need?

Mumtaz Zaman, Houston

Diplomacy won't work

Last week, we had all the latitude in the world to relentlessly pursue and
eradicate the terrorist groups responsible for the attack on America. Now
we have opened the door to diplomacy by inviting Pakistan to negotiate on
our behalf with Afghanistan to deliver Osama bin Laden and may have backed
ourselves into a corner to accept a half-baked diplomatic solution. We need
to immediately begin a ruthless offensive campaign, with the only goal
being elimination of all terrorist cells and those who harbor terrorists.

Michael D. Beck, Katy

No Nukes For Pakistan

Given the volatile nature of the Pakistani government, Pakistan's past
support of the Taliban and the large segments of the population --
including many in the military -- sympathetic to terrorists, it is simply
too dangerous to allow it to possess nuclear weapons. It is imperative that
the United States strip Pakistan of its nuclear capabilities.

Puneet Patni, Houston

Jensen's Words His Own

In his Sept. 14 Outlook article "U.S. just as guilty of committing own
violent acts," Robert Jensen was identified as holding a faculty
appointment at the University of Texas at Austin.

Jensen made his remarks entirely in his capacity as a free citizen of the
United States, writing and speaking under the protection of the First
Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

No aspect of his remarks is supported, condoned or officially recognized by
The University of Texas at Austin. He does not speak in the University's
name and may not speak in its name.

Using the same liberty, I convey my personal judgment that Jensen is not
only misguided, but has become a fountain of undiluted foolishness on
issues of public policy.

Students must learn that there is a good deal of foolish opinion in the
popular media and they must become skilled at recognizing and discounting it.

I, too, was disgusted by Jensen's article, but I also must defend his
freedom to state his opinion. The First Amendment is the bedrock of
American liberty.

Larry R. Faulkner, president The University of Texas at Austin

There's A Time And Place

The Chronicle should have used editorial license to delay printing Robert
Jensen's Sept. 14 Outlook article, "U.S. just as guilty of committing own
violent acts." Such extreme views should not be printed while the nation is
in mourning. It is not decent to argue at a funeral.

Joe Swinney, Splendora

Powers Broad Enough

Attorney General John Ashcroft and the Justice Department are calling for
broader wiretap powers. Law enforcement must go to a judge to get
permission to place a wiretap, which ensures that someone is looking over
law enforcement's shoulder when it is spying within U.S. borders.

We have already allowed the Fourth Amendment to be gutted because of the
failed drug war and we have gotten nothing in return. We must balance
liberty with security.

Christopher Young, Conroe

Hatemongers And Flags

Terrorists attacked America so now American terrorists are attacking,
threatening and harassing Arab-Americans, Muslims and Sikhs. In some eyes,
if you are an Arab-American, you are guilty by association.

Are American hate crimes any less despicable than the acts perpetrated by
overseas terrorists? Maybe one difference is that our homegrown hatemongers
wave their flags as they carry out their activities.

We won't tolerate terrorism, so why tolerate these bigots who pose as
God-fearing Americans?

Ron Lowe, Harlingen

Her Flag A Peace Symbol

I am acutely aware of how important the American flag has become and I can
understand why some people are offended by flag "disrespect." But I am
positive no one is purposefully disrespecting the flag right now, so it was
insulting that the Chronicle thinks Houstonians need to be concerned about
this only a week after the horrible disaster (Sept. 18 Houston,"Proper
Patriotism; Respect at heart of flag etiquette"). Wouldn't an article on
tolerance be more valuable?

I am making my own flag right now: It is red, white and blue and has a
peace symbol on it. It is my right to decide for myself how to be patriotic.

Penny Smith, Houston

Unpatriotic Headline

Shame on the Chronicle for its misleading and unpatriotic headline on the
Sept. 18 Page One article, "685-point drop sets a record." Our country and
our economic system needs our support. Why didn't you use the quote from
Rice University finance professor David Ikenberry as the headline: "Monday
was a successful day"?

Sue Brooks, Dickinson

Bush Rounds Up Posse?

I was troubled by the president's "dead or alive" rhetoric regarding Osama
bin Laden. At a time when we are anxiously trying to garner support for our
actions against terrorism, language like this can only alienate potential
allies and undermine our cause.

Matthew White, Houston

Israel's Biblical Authority

In the Sept. 18 Viewpoints letter, "Israel's 'right to exist'?," Joe
Stainton wanted to know in 25 words or less why Israel has a right to exist
and why we are committed to it.

God himself established Israel, gave them the land and promised that
whoever blessed Israel would be blessed and whoever cursed them would be
cursed.

Now do you understand?

Betty W. Chastain,

Montgomery