All American citizens need equal treatment

The Islamic world, and especially the Arab world, has suffered for the last 50 years from brutal and corrupt domestic dictatorships. The growth of radical Islamic fundamentalism has been fostered in reaction to the oppression these governments have produced. The main strategy pursued by these despotic regimes is to attempt to direct the anger and frustration they have engendered against others, most notably, Israel and the United States. I mention all this as background for my assertion that attacks on Islamic-Americans and Arab-Americans (Islamic or Christian) are reprehensible and completely unjustified. Many have fled the twin evils of repressive regimes and totalitarian Islamic-fundamentalism to share in the benefits and responsibilities of American democracy. They have thrown in their lot with their fellow Americans and do not cheer for, but indeed condemn hijackings, mass murder, suicide bombings, destruction of sacred sites and other terrorist actions in the United States and elsewhere. Patriotic Arab-Americans do not provide the treacherous financial support for these heinous crimes. There is absolutely no reason to question the loyalty of Arab-Americans and Islamic-Americans, who support efforts to defeat terrorism and eventually bring freedom to large parts of the earth that have suffered subjugation and deprivation from domestic dictatorships for decades.

David A. Sanders

Associate Professor

Students should respect cherished icons of freedom

Flag earns respect only after attacks

College-ruled paper ranks above others

Bomb threats waste assets, other's time

Sacrifices must come to prove our ideals

All American citizens need equal treatment

Student gives thanks to firemen, policemen

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