Understanding

Dear Republic:

In response to your article, “ We share common cause with the Islamist terrorists,” (Issue 118), as time passes, we hear many pseudo “experts” on the media, watch many “revealing” documentaries on TV and read “searching” articles, all aimed at making sense of the dark danger that is Islamic extremism. They are all wide of the mark.

Your article however, is the most lucid, profound and incisive piece of writing so far. In those few lines you have come to understand the dialogue that hereto only young Muslim intellectuals are privy to. Although the narrative differs slightly, you have captured the essence of the cause. I know not how you have managed to do this. But I salute you for it.

- Anonymous

No understanding

Dear Republic:

In order to spite the face of the USA, Kevin Potvin is ready to compromise Canadian values of compassion, equality, and freedom by aligning himself with the Arab fanatics who are no less of a menace to the region's Governments and populace than to the western world (Relax the human rights demands, Republic Issue 119).

It is naive to believe that  Islamic extremists have a soft corner for Canada or France. The whole western world is their target; USA and Britain merely make to the top of the list.

US-bashing is the favourite pastime and effective vote-reaping drum of left-liberal Canadians. But if the US economy collapses, can the Canadian economy survive?

Leftists' lack of understanding of the economy, as demonstrated by once-mighty Soviet Union to BC's own NDP Government, is nothing new.

What is revealing is that Canadian "republic"ans and religious fanatics are adopted (by Canadian-side) twins.

I shall be thankful if you publish this letter in the "Letters" column of your fortnightly.

- Bijan K. Basak, Vancouver

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