Middle East policies:
Our hypocrisy equals oil
Recent American concern for the tumult plaguing the Arab Middle East and its various populations illustrates hypocrisy. A fortunate part of our heritage is the opportunity for an education. Arab cultures were denied these benefits; they endured propaganda as their intellectual tool.
Middle Eastern instability is area wide; its fear of democracy endangers our purchase of ěblack gold.î The Muslim Arab nations selling us oil are not democratic and have made little or no pretense of reform, whether civil or religious. The current Libyan incident is illustrative of Arab non-participation for reform; Gadhafiís brutal power survived four generations of terror. Why the sudden concern for the Libyan people?
Only Qatar offered four aircraft to support the no-fly zone while others in the Arab League, OPEC, etc., have begun restraining Western efforts, through a ěcarrotî of controlling potential oil supplies. Neither Syria, Bahrain, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen nor the Gulf states, etc. has made the transition to democracy and yet …
Although we read about religious persecution of Christians and their declining numbers throughout the Muslim world, oil-happy Americans do nothing. Granted, such matters are internal considerations for the states selling us oil; when Christian missionaries violate Sharia, Islamic law, by seeking converts and are imprisoned or murdered, little is said.
Could the above be an extension of American political correctness? Is our government concerned with honoring foreign law and tradition because of a jurisdictional prohibition? I think not.
May I offer the reason for our actions? We accept whatever happens to prevent a disruption of oil imports. While other countriesí national policies look to the future for fuel alternatives, we pander to industries whose political sway allows them great profits through their political minions, despite negative consequences for our way of life, social, legal and economic.
ó Arthur Steinberg
Salisbury
Always call the police
Based on a recent experience, I want to advise anyone involved in an auto accident to call the police, no matter how minor the damage and no matter who the parties involved are.
In January, another motorist backed into my car in a parking lot. Since he was a local businessman, I was sure he would do the right thing. The problem is he gave me incorrect insurance information and now refuses to talk to me or my insurance company. Since there is no police report, my only recourse is to take him to court or pay for the damage myself.
Donít get caught in a situation like mine. Always call the police!
ó Kathy Norris
Salisbury