Editor’s note: The following letters were written by students in Christopher Koch’s eighth-grade world geography class at Summit Middle School in Boulder. They have been edited for length.
The violence in Iraq is increasing by the day. I believe the U.S. should send more troops to stop the violence, because if this is to continue, many moderate Muslims may support the terrorists and slow the U.S.’s efforts to create a stable middle class and include the Middle East in the global community.
If the West can stop the potential civil war and save the country from being destroyed, many moderate Muslims will partner with the West and help us fight the radical Muslims. Also, we will save the country’s infrastructure, and in the long run save both them and us money. In addition, we will end the perennial conflict between the Shiites and Sunnis in Iraq. Together we can create a functional and active Iraqi government with the Shiites and the Sunnis working together.
The outcome of this conflict will determine whether the moderate Muslims will partner with the West or the terrorists. Even if this warrants a draft, the U.S. needs to resolve the violence in Iraq.
Chytanya Kompala, Superior
. . .
Recent blasts in Baghdad killed 32 people and wounded 80,. This, along with many other attacks, is hurting the people in the Middle East, the people in the U.S., and their economies.
I believe that the war in Iraq is not as effective as the U.S. hoped for.
The U.S. government should increase security and watch the suspected terrorists more closely. This will help prevent terrorism and also it will help the U.S. catch the terrorists.
After they take this step, I believe they should give money to the moderate Muslims. This way, they will not only realize that the U.S. is actually trying to help them, and then they will realize that the extremists were wrong about us and they will be inclined to overthrow their own government.
When the moderate Muslims get what they need from the U.S., they will stop helping the terrorists because they will have something to lose if their country breaks into civil war and also they will be more willing to help us. Through this plan, we will not only be sparing our troops, but we will be demonstrating our respect in their ways and that we are willing to allow them to do things their way as long as they are effective.
Jane Xie, Superior
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The war on terror will never be won militarily. Moderate Muslims are the key to success. By educating them, creating jobs, and lessening America’s dependence on oil, we will be able to build a stable middle class in a democracy without a place for extremists. Education for both the United States and the Arab world is very important.
Education leads to jobs, manufacturing, skilled workers, etc. One of the jobs needed is the building of infrastructure in the region.
When big American companies come in and build roads or telephone wires, and hours later they are cut or blown up, why should moderate Muslims care? However, if a moderate Muslim helping the economy is killed in a bombing of a new road, or building, extremists’ popularity goes down quite a lot. Anything necessary must be done for the respect and alliance of moderate Muslims.
Rebecca Shepard, Boulder
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A major story in the recent news has been about the possible grant of $143 million from the European Union to the Palestinian Authority. I disagree with the idea. The Western world should cut off all support for the Palestian Authority until Hamas steps down or changes their charter.
Once money is in an economy, it will stay there, and inevitably, Hamas will inherit some of the EU donation. If the U.S., EU and the U.N. donate to the Palestinian Authority, Hamas will very likely upgrade weapons to destroy Israel. But why do we care if Hamas gets money? Along with past terrorist attacks, Hamas states in their charter, “Israel will exist and continue to exist until Islam obliterates it.” Also, by fueling the economy of the Palestinian Authority, it sends a message to the voters that it is OK to vote for a destructive, Israel-hating, terrorist organization as leadership.
By clarifying Western disapproval of Hamas, the failing Palestinian economy will pressure citizens to tell Hamas to step down. Once this has happened, the Western world can support a respectful, peaceful, stable government, which could be a major breakthrough on the road to the Middle East peace.
Alan Seltzer, Boulder
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It would be a mistake for the U.S. and its Western allies to cut the aid currently given to Palestinians in response to Hamas being elected to power in a democratic election. Most of the aid goes to humanitarian causes. According to the BBC, three-quarters of EU funds goes directly to the Palestinian people. Out of the remaining quarter that goes to the government, much is again paid out to the people through salaries, without which their families would starve. We have to realize that cutting this aid may increase the number of people willing to become suicide bombers in exchange for pay to their families.
The EU and the U.S. called for democratic elections, but are now reluctant to accept the results. How can others be asked to embrace democracy when we do not accept the outcome? Also, Palestinians may feel that it would be unfair to cut aid to them, while Israel continues to receive aid despite their attacks on the Palestinian people.
Discontinuing the aid to the Palestinians would diminish Western influence, allowing Islamic extremists to gain power. It is quite possible that Hamas would not be hurt by the aid cut. The ones who would certainly be hurt are the common Palestinians.
Melanie Adams, Superior
To the point
A news anchor will be paid $15 million per year to read the news, but the best-paid school teacher, who teaches kids to read, gets paid as much a year as the news anchor will be paid per broadcast. That’s sad.
Larry McLaughlin, Aurora
In my mind, the bottom line on immigration is this: Are U.S. consumers willing to pay more for goods and services if businesses hire only documented workers?
Joel Lachance, Highlands Ranch
On the television news and in The Denver Post there have been images of immigrants, some legal and some not, demanding respect. These people need to understand: Respect is not a government-issued commodity. It must be earned.
Joe Y. Keller, Centennial
To all those people filled with hate: Have you forgotten that your great-great-great- grandparents came here as immigrants? We’re all human beings.
Jean Schurmann, Arvada
By bankrupting the economy, the Republicans have taken the wind out of the opposition’s sails. Unfortunately, they’ve taken the wind out of the sails of the entire ship of state. We’re adrift, people.
Jim Bernath, Englewood
