It’s disgusting the author of “Cuba detainees are being treated fairly” (SN 2/4) believes the al-Qaida and Taliban captives don’t deserve civil rights because they aren’t human.
It’s horrifying to read, “With God’s help, the government will eliminate every single one of them.” I’ve heard such sentiments before - from Adolf Hitler. Who does this person think he is to deem people as not human and want them exterminated from the earth? And in the name of God?
Before categorizing entire groups of people into good or evil, please take a look at your own soul. Yes, these people may feel the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians are justified in achieving their goals. But may I remind you that the civilian death toll in Afghanistan from U.S. bombings is estimated at 3500? The al-Qaida are people who’ve lived their entire lives in war-torn, impoverished chaos.
All their lives they were told those responsible lived in a bullying, ethnocentric, morally corrupt country far away. Like most Americans, they swallowed down every stereotype and piece of propaganda their countries fed them.
I believe it is better to try to change people’s stereotypes rather than reinforce them. The United States was given an opportunity to show the world what it’s really made of. We could have set an example by working for a more peaceful world. Instead, we did just what Osama bin Laden wanted.
Please don’t let the terrorists win. Please don’t support more violence and hate in the name of God. Please don’t support war.
Mara Wolke
journalism sophomore
