Letters to the Editor, June 30, 2004

For Israelis living in the Palestinian territories, the proper English word should be SQUATTERS and SQUATVILLES instead of Settlers and Settlements

The proper English word should be SQUATTERS not Settlers, Squatters are those who take my home, or put building on my property without my permission. Settlers are those who build on land not owned by others, or contested as stealing. I also suggest the word "squatville" to replace the word "settlement."

As you know words paint pictures in the mind of the reader, and reinforce his past thinking or cause him to reevaluate what he had originally thought.

I believe every time the word Settlers is used regarding the taking of Palestine land you are falling in to the Israeli big lie. And if you tell the lie long enough and it is supported, used by others it's believe by those who do not now the history or facts.

Safe Travels.

Ronald Douglas Kennedy

"In memory of my Friend Alex Odeh 1944 to 1985" Who believed in the Power of words. He was assassinated when a bomb ripped through his office Oct. 11, 1985 as he opened the office door (American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee), in Santa Ana California across the street from the Orange County Court house of Law.

Al Gore's speech (Al Gore: Democracy Itself is in Grave Danger , Al-Jazeerah, June 28, 2004).

I didn't realize how articulate Gore can be. I have a question:: who was the principal author of the DOJ memo that condoned torture and was then elevated to the US Court of Appeals?

Thanks,

Peter Lewycky

Editor: Any answers from readers will be appreciated.

Run Bremer, Run !

As soon as Mr. Bremer turned over (so to speak) the "sovereignty" to the Iraqi government, he jumped on a plane and left Iraq in a hurry........ Seemed like an escape to most !

No surprise to the rest of the world.... While Bush, Blair and Powell were sitting in Turkey with a smug grin on their faces.... Still counting on the NATO to fix the mess the US government has made of Iraq. While playing innocent and snotnosed.....

Angela Badelt, Germany

Honor Killings

I have read with great interest the information you have posted on your website. I am particularly grateful for your intelligent and plain-spoken discussions of Islam for an audience largely unfamiliar with this religion.

Of all the cultural traditions that might be found in Muslim nations, perhaps the most repellent to Westerners are so-called "honor killings" of sisters and daughters. Women violently killed by men in their families, sometimes for seemingly trivial reasons, seems indefensibly brutal and cruel. Are these honor killings supported by the Qur'an? Are they encouraged by teachings from within the Mosque? Or should a pious and reasonable Muslim repudiate such acts?

Sincerely,

Andrew Gray Dundee, Oregon

Editor:

Thank you for your question and here's my brief answer:

The Islamic Law, Shari'a, has to be observed by individual Muslims. However, punishment of offenders can only be administered by the Islamic state. The Islamic punishment for married adulterers is stoning to death, as it was also practiced by ancient Israelites.

But the Holy Qur'an requires strict conditions for the punishment to be exacted. First, the offender should come to the judge and admit adultery, asking for punishment. Second, in absence of admission, the Islamic Law requires the testimony of four eyewitnesses who should testify that they've seen the offenders in the act. Third, there should be evidence for the consummated intercourse.

Thus, honor killing is more likely to be as a cultural custom, rather than an Islamic teaching. It's usually committed by individuals, not by the state.

Finally, when some Americans commit crimes or deviant acts, does the media smear Christianity? Absolutely not. In fact, these issues are circulated in the pro-war media in order to smear Islam and Muslims in an indirect way to justify wars. Anyway, honor killing is a very rare practice.