Does Devine Dig Dictators?
To the Editor,Iraq's recent history is worth more than the cursory look that Dave Devine gave it in "Both Sides of the Border" (Tucson Weekly, May 22).
The conquest of Iraq has been repeated in no less than three separate events in the 20th century. The story has been remarkably unchanged: nasty provocation, conquest from the outside, civilized regime change imposed from the outside, rebellion from within, overthrow of the foreign puppets, rising dictatorship, nasty provocation ... etc. Round and round it goes. For Iraq in the 20th century, the routine of conquest began with the swan song of the Ottoman Empire. Today, America is the third contender, with the help from the British, who were the second contender.
Critics of Bush and Blair, like Devine, should be able to answer a simple question: Which part of Saddam's regime would you like to see restored? Do you admire the national pride, the order, the stability and the unity of a diverse people under dictatorship? Perhaps you do, but keep in mind a lesson of recent history. America's liberals in the 1930s were enchanted by the evident social virtues of Nazis and by the noncompetitive teamwork of happy productive citizens in Stalin's Soviet Union.
--Peter Vokac
Illegal Immigrants Don't Deserve Water Stations
To the Editor,Tim Vanderpool ("Drinking Problem," May 29) wants us to believe the federal government's undocumented immigration policy is the root of all evil. If I stood in front of a bank and handed out guns to bank robbers, you'd call me an accomplice. Yet assisting illegal entry into our country is painted as a humanitarian undertaking by the liberal media.
At this moment, a hard-up family secure in their living room is contemplating crossing into the United States. It's probable a smuggler's sales pitch to them goes something like this: "It will be a tough 30-mile hike in the scorching desert, but there will be water placed all along the route for us!"
The Humane Borders organization is contributing to the problem. Instead of stiff penalties for tampering with water stations, maybe we need stiffer penalties for illegal entry.
--James M. Eli
Devine's Number: 867-5309
To the Editor,So the "No Call" list is going to put Tucson into the financial cellar? I suppose that Dave Devine ("Hung Up," May 29) would also oppose the legalization of pot because it would put the drug dealers out of business! It's time he got a grip with reality.
People do not want to be bothered by uninvited solicitations while relaxing in their castle--especially while they are eating dinner. I always tell these jerks that I don't buy from telephone solicitors.
Devine did leave one thing out of his article: He left out his phone number so that we could all call him during his dinner!
--Glen R. Fotre
When Jews and Arabs Hate, It Isn't Racism
To the Editor,In Carrie Brown's letter to the editor ("Maass Should Have Explored Racism More," June 12), she claims that more attention needs to brought to the "racist" Israelis. These types of claims, that Israeli Jews are racist against their Palestinian neighbors, is factually incorrect.
Jews and Arabs are both Semitic peoples, which means they are racially similar. A Jewish settler may look down upon the Arabs, but he can't be racist against them, anymore then he can be racist against fellow Jews.
The disagreement and hate in the West Bank is based more on historical religious differences than on ethnic differences. Jews and Arabs are the same people; they happen to be followers of different (although similar) faiths and have vastly different histories.
This much-bandied-about idea that Zionism is racism is simply a foolish justification for hatred of the existence of the state of Israel. Carrie Brown and her ilk would do well to explain why it is that Jews and Christians are not allowed to live, pray or settle in Saudi Arabia. This is because of the hate of the Saudis for other religions. How is this different from the settlers' view? Brown seems to support the hate of the Muslims while faulting the Jews when they have similar feelings.
--Seth Frantzman
Mad Props for Downing
To the Editor,I enjoy Renee Downing's articles more than any other writers in town, and The Weekly is truly lucky to have her wit and intelligence in its pages.
Last week's article ("I Can See Clearly Now," June 12) just blew me away. Thanks for keeping her around.
--Jill Kitchen
