MAILBAG - June 6, 2007

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Intolerance is the real terrorism of the world

Russ Niewiarowski’s comments are the reason that there is religious hatred in this world (Sounding Off, “Embracing all faiths won’t bring peace,” May 29). He seems to feel “Believe my way (his version of Christianity) or you’re a terrorist.” That idea is the real terrorism and the same idea that permeates some parts of the Muslim world and other areas of the world where there is religious conflict.

God created many religious philosophies to help people behave in a Godly manner. We need to treat others the way we want to be treated.

That is the standard of moral and ethical conduct. God will reward Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, and others who make the world a better place. Mr. Niewiarowski’s version of God is not the only way to the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca and Rachel.

DARRELL NEFT

Costa Mesa

National security tracks more than just terrorism

In Pam Lawrence’s zeal to condemn Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (“Community is filled with intolerance,” Mailbag, May 27), she confuses him with Rep. John Campbell, who actually was the person who made a connection between illegal immigration, border control and national security, when he stated in reference to the proposed bill, “I will not endorse a weak compromise that will reward illegal immigration, jeopardize our national security and damage our infrastructure.” (“That’s Debatable,” May 24, 2007).

Lawrence’s error continues with her assumption that national security is concerned only with terrorists, when she sarcastically asks, “Just how many terrorists from Mexico have been arrested anyway?”

The fact is, national security refers to the requirement to maintain the survival of the nation-state through the use of economics, military and political power, and the exercise of diplomacy. That requirement encompasses, but is not limited to critical infrastructures, which describes material assets that are essential for the functioning of a society and economy, and facilitates for: electricity generation and distribution; telecommunications; water supply; agriculture; heating; public health; transportation systems; financial services; and security services (police, military).

True, much of the country’s focus is on terrorism since 9/11, but terrorism is only one of the many critical areas related to national security.

It doesn’t take a genius to deduce that uncontrolled immigration and the numbers flooding across our southern border, have placed an immense burden on many of the aforementioned national security requirements.

Beyond that is the fact that vast numbers, greater than any other time in U.S. history, are entering the country illegally. They do not speak the language, are not monitored for health conditions, and have little or no knowledge of U.S. history or culture, or really any interest in it.

In addition, most are unskilled and lacking the education to make it on their own, creating a permanent underclass and placing an unsurmountable burden on our resources, that if allowed to continue can only result in national disaster.

Many believe, as I do, that granting what amounts to amnesty in this proposed legislation will only add to the burden, by rewarding those here illegally and encouraging more illegal border crossings.

Other provisions of the bill are troubling as well. Who really believes that people here illegally are going to come out of the shadows, comply with the mandate to learn English, pay the required fees, and other required provisions as a condition for citizenship?

First, secure the borders. Stop allowing the corrupt government of Mexico to push its poor off on us.

“Filled with intolerance?” Yes, intolerance for conditions that if unchecked, will ensure a vastly different country in the future.

ILA JOHNSON

Costa Mesa