The Terrible Evil of Militant Islam

Having access, far and wide, to many things via the Internet provides enlightenment for many people. Thus, living in Atlanta, I can read and learn from interesting individuals writing for papers from all over the world, including writers from Torrington, Connecticut.

Coming across Edward LeHoskey's article, "More Reasons to Vote" [June 14], gave me pause and cause to write. Putting aside feelings about Israel, does he really believe that Arabs hate the U.S. because we support Israel? While that may add fuel to the fire, the fire was already there. It's called militant Islam, and as most—if not all—scholars in the field of Middle Eastern Studies know, it's not just an anti-U.S. sentiment, but an anti-Western, anti-Christian, and anti-non-Muslim hatred, as well.

A perfect example of this hatred is the blowing up of Buddhas—not just holy to Buddhists, but of value to a wider community of humanity—by militant Muslims in Afghanistan. There was, of course, no issue of Israeli support there.

Another outstanding example of this fierce and violent hatred of anti-Westernization is the Algerian situation. There, one sees the torture, mutilation and horrific murder not only of grown civilian men and women, but of children and babies, as well. Who are the murderers? Militant Muslims wishing to install a militant Islamic dictatorship are slaughtering more modern and more Western-thinking fellow Muslims and fellow countryman. No issue of Israeli support there, either.

There are also the numerous political assassinations and violent coups within Arab countries, none of which occur because the "target" supported Israel.

Mr. LeHoskey's focused hatred of Israel has blinded him to this fundamental truth, and puts him at risk for being labeled an anti-Semite. More importantly, perhaps, Mr. LeHoskey's confused thinking allows some Americans to blame someone else—in this case, Israel—in order to allow themselves to feel a sense of security. However, it is a false security because this kind of complacency, if it were to become too widespread, would leave America and Americans vulnerable to the terrible evil that militant Islam wants to visit on the world at large.