Are the Swiss immune to terrorism?
Re: “Reader reactions to Thursday’s terror attacks in London,” July 9 Open Forum.
Letter-writer Will Ropke asks, “Why didn’t the terrorists strike Switzerland instead of England?” This is so typical of the leftist drivel that often appears on this page. At the heart of Ropke’s letter is the “blame America first” mentality: the terrorists aren’t to blame; we made them to do it. What rubbish! I’ll tell you why the terrorists attacked London and New York rather than Bern. America, because of its superpower status, is much more of a symbol of Western civilization and its ideals than Switzerland; the UK, not only as our allies, but as the home of so many of our forefathers, shares in that symbolic significance. It’s Western civilization these terrorists hate.
Ropke seems to imply that if our government were more like the Swiss government, which “minds its own business,” then all would be well. That sounds like a naïve mixture of isolationism and appeasement to me. Neither will work in the global society we live in. Appeasing despots and fanatics is never a good idea. It only emboldens them. Unfortunately, the only response that can divert them is force.
Brian O’Boyle, Aurora
…
According to the Terrorism Research Center (www.terrorism.com), 47 people were killed when a SwissAir flight was bombed in 1970. According to the Swiss government, numerous banking accounts have been closed for involvement in financing terrorism. The fact is that the Swiss are not immune to the scourge, just less prominent targets.
If U.S. policies for good and ill were the only reason for terrorism, the U.S. would be the only victim. That’s not the case, so the causes of terrorism lie elsewhere. A more proper view looks at terrorists as neo-fascists. Even a few individuals can force an entire nation such as Spain to do their bidding.
Trygve Andreassen, Highlands Ranch
—————————————-
Power of homeowner associations
Re: “The rise of quasi-governments,” July 10 Neal Peirce column.
Neal Peirce writes of private neighborhood associations outnumbering America’s municipalities. He writes that some neighborhood association rules seem highly intrusive. I honestly believe that some people buy into such “controlled” neighborhoods without really knowing what they are getting into. Realtors do not really go into the details of the sometimes ridiculous rules buyers will have to follow. They receive these rules after they buy, and have no way out. Most HOA boards become quasi-dictatorships. Their rules are based on whims.
My advice to anyone buying into a “controlled” community: Get all the information on the rules and regulations from your Realtor before you sign anything. Don’t buy until you know exactly what you are buying.
Howard M. Botnick, Aurora
—————————————-
Language of war
I was impressed by the keen observations shared by letter-writer Naomi Rachel concerning the improper use of the term “insurgent” and the over-use of the phrase “American lives” while disrespectfully referring to the deaths of Iraqis as collateral damage or accidents (July 11 Open Forum).
I am also bewildered by the use of the term “suicide bombers” to describe those who use explosives to voluntarily blow themselves to smithereens in attempts to kill innocent civilians and members of the multinational military forces engaged in the conflict in Iraq. Wouldn’t it make more sense to call these maniacs “suicide murderers”?
Larry Sourbeer, Arvada
—————————————-
Nickel the buffalo
Re: “An eye on Denver’s bison herd,” July 10 Style story.
Thank you for Laura Watt’s wonderful article Marty Homola and the Genesee bison. It included a box, “Whatever happened to Nickel?” Your readers can follow up with a book that features Marty, his family and Nickel, “The True Story of Nickel, The Baby Buffalo Who Thought He Was a Dog,” or at www.nickelbuffalo.com. The book is the only one ever published about the Genesee herd. It is now in its fourth printing and is available in regional bookstores and gift shops. It was nominated for the Colorado Book Award and was also selected by the Colorado state librarian to represent Colorado at the book fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., three years ago. It was recently selected by the Library of Congress for its national service for the blind and physically handicapped.
Marty Homola embodies so many of the qualities we love about the West. His relationship with Nickel was extraordinary.
Nancy Savage, Golden
—————————————-
Alternative fuels
It’s refreshing to see Sen. Ken Salazar step out front in favor of developing ethanol as an alternative fuel. The truth, which is ignored by the camp followers of the oil companies, is that more than 2,000 buses in this nation are already fueled by alternative fuels. Phoenix has natural gas buses, Des Moines has ethanol buses, and New York and Los Angeles have hundreds of methanol buses. Other transit agencies use propane. When gasoline reaches $5 a gallon, maybe, just maybe, people will wake up.
James Warner, Denver
—————————————-
The victimization of Lisl Auman
Re: “Time served enough for Auman,” July 12 Diane Carman column.
As a member of the Denver Police family for 35 years, I have experienced the line-of-duty deaths of several officers, including Bruce VanderJagt. Personally, I object less to the media-motivated adjustment of her sentence than I do to the people lining up to praise her as the next Joan of Arc. Her contrition rings hollow and her motivation “to pursue goals and dreams that I’ve only been able to think about the past eight years” is an insult to the memory of VanderJagt.
Diane Carman has led the free Lisl Auman charge, which is not surprising given her bias against the police.
The true victims here are the wives, children and extended police family who confront the pains of our losses and the biased criticisms of our decisions.
David O’Shea-Dawkins, Denver
The writer is a Denver Police sergeant.
TO REACH OPINION EDITORS
Phone: 303-820-1331
Fax: 303-820-1502
E-mail: openforum@denverpost.com (only straight text, not attachments)
Mail: The Open Forum, The Denver Post, 1560 Broadway, Denver, 80202 or PO Box 1709, Denver, 80201
Letters guidelines: The Post welcomes letters up to 200 words on topics of general interest. Letters must include full name, home address and day and evening phone numbers. Letters may be edited for length, grammar and accuracy.
