Hitting the archive for information on the history of the YWCA's Week Without Violence, I came across the Your View entry from Sept. 28, 2001. Letters posted for posterity after the jump.
Paper: Star-News (Pasadena, CA)
Title: Letters to the editor - Expect a backlash
Date: September 28, 2001
As our great country mourns the attack of Sept. 11, I find it outrageous that our Muslim allies now respond with absurd ultimatum. Our allies in Muslim countries tell us if the United States kills innocent Muslims, expect backlash ... well, when we were innocently attacked, innocent people of all religions and races were killed. Where is our backlash?
This attack did not go after specific groups, i.e. military, it killed innocent civilians that could not defend themselves. Is it fair for our Muslim allies to expect us not to backlash?
Teresa Moore Monrovia
God's not responsible I am impressed with so many of the letters sent recently to "Your View," most relating to the recent tragedy in New York. Those that composed them are to be congratulated on a fine job of expressing their views. One in particular, (Question of faith, Tues. Sept. 20), is written quite well, but unless it is done with "tongue in cheek," in my opinion, it doesn't put God in proper perspective.
God didn't cause this terrible occurrence, man did. We on this Earth are responsible for our actions -- not God -- and we will be called to answer for them.
The people who did this terrible deed have a totally different belief than we and have no qualms about killing and destroying to carry out their agenda. It is they that will answer for the awful things they are forcing on mankind.
God created us giving us the ability to think and rationalize, but did not create us to carry out such horrible atrocities against our fellow man. He wrote the Ten Commandments and expected us to abide by them. Isn't it idiotic to think he would do that and then make plans to destroy so much and so many people?
The letter says, "All of this, I am told, is because of your inscrutable plan that is compassionate and caring." You can't be serious and think that "God's plan" is to have men on this earth do these horrible things.
I agree, it is hard to accept a tragedy of this magnitude and it leaves us with certain doubts, but I can't and won't accept the fact that God is the one responsible.
As President Bush said in his address to Congress and the people, "The course of this conflict is not known, yet its outcome is certain. Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty, have always been at war, and we know that God is not neutral between them."
Paul Henderson Monrovia
An insult to snakes Re: Cartoon on Sept. 19, about a snake with the head of Osama bin Laden:
I am a 87-year-old Native American, and I say that cartoon is an insult to our native rattlers. Snakes at least give a warning before striking at any intruder into their territory.
Dora J. Jefta Glendora
A timely mission The Worldwide YWCA will begin its annual Week Without Violence on Sun., Oct. 14. A consortium of 12 Pasadena organizations will be joining the YWCA in conducting six days of activities that address personal safety, domestic violence, racism and hate crimes. We will also have programs that promote peaceful solutions for conflict resolution.
The importance of the Week Without Violence was brought into sharp focus when we watched with horror the deaths of thousands as the World Trade Center collapsed, the Pentagon flamed and the plane crashed near Pittsburg.
The YWCA Mission, which calls for us to work for "peace, racial justice, dignity, freedom and equality for all" could not be more relevant. The people of our community and across the nation have shown in recent weeks that we are indeed sisters and brothers.
Along with many other agencies, the YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley expects to increase awareness and sustain the call for the prevention of all forms of violence. We invite everyone to participate with us. For a schedule of events and workshops planned for the "2001 Week Without Violence," call the YWCA at (626) 793-5171.
Margaret H. Sedenquist President YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley
Keep the peace To all of you performing hate crimes and violence, remember that most of you are not native Americans any more than those that you attack and kill, but we are all children of God.
If people come to the United States legally, they have just as much right to be here as you think that you have, and are therefore Americans.
God created all of us, regardless of color or creed and no one has the right to take the lives of others except those that have been given that authority by law.
The United States has always been a nation of peace except when attacked. Let's all try to keep it that way.
God bless America and all within its borders and all other peace loving countries.
Marjorie B. Flint Temple City
Ready to serve -- again Terrorists beware!
I served in the U.S. Army Special Forces Group, Airborne (U.S. Army Rangers; U.D.T./Seals; Halo; different secret operations; S.O.G.) from 1957 to 1960. There are thousands of us U.S. veterans ready to serve our country again when needed, anywhere in the world, including right here in the United States of America! Remember you terrorists, you can run but you can't hide forever!
Dennis P. O'Bryan Pasadena
Rescind the tax cut It has become very clear to most of us that the $300 tax rebate that we got and spent did very little to stimulate our economy. So let's say we do something that's "right" for our country and perhaps for ourselves!
Let's ask Congress to rescind that $1.3 trillion tax cut and earmark those funds for our war effort against terrorism. I can't help but feel that most of our countrymen might look favorably upon this patriotic decision.
Fredrick A. Samaha South Pasadena
The spirit is back Ever since this country was formed, tyrants and terrorists have fallen to the spirit of America. We are indomitable simply because in every American flows the blood of those farmers who took up arms and won this country its freedom. From these patriots, the spirit of America has been engrained in all of our souls.
The spirit of America provided the mettle that pushed our doughboys over the trenches in WWI. It pressed our GIs onto the beaches of Normandy. It sustained us in Korea. During Vietnam, it held our soldiers together. This fierce determination for freedom and liberty drove us through Panama and the Gulf War. This same spirit of America will serve us in our campaign to root out terrorism.
Indeed, the spirit of America flows in all of us. So strong is our will to fight for freedom and justice that aboard United Airlines Flight 93 the passengers refused to cower and took action. These brave souls gave their lives to save others and possibly the White House. For their heroic and noble efforts, I believe all aboard that doomed flight deserve to be honored with Medals of Honor.
The terrorists who so callously attacked our soil thought us weak. They thought us too liberal, too decadent to stand up and fight, and maybe they were right. Years of peace and security led us to focus on trivial pursuits and grow complacent. But like the lazy lion that sleeps all day, we always awake when the hyenas approach.
Patriotism flows in all true Americans. Freedom breeds pride and courage. We are challenged and we rise. God "blessed" America. So fly your flags proudly. The spirit of America is back.
Daniel J. Nicoli Temple City
(c) 2001 Star-News. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Media NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.
