A Muslim American remembers post-9/11 acts of kindness; Gregory Rodriguez’s column on a cultural civics lesson; thoughts on the killing of a gay teenager

Coming together

The heinous acts of Sept. 11, 2001, committed by misguided Muslims, triggered a flurry of reactions toward my American Muslim community. While I myself have experienced some negative reactions, what I remember is the loving random acts of kindness from those around me.

One memory stands out. A week before 9/11, my family and I moved to a new home in a new city. I remember thinking to myself after the attacks, what would the neighbors make of us? It was an incredibly draining and turbulent time.

But not one week after 9/11, I received the following note from one of my new neighbors: “I am sorry we have not had the opportunity to meet in person. I know times are strange now, but when you are ready, I’d love to meet you.”

There are no words that could describe how I felt as I read the note. I stood there reading, tears in my eyes, and I felt reassured that things would be fine.

And as we approach and remember the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I take this opportunity to salute all of you who have looked beyond the stereotypes and prejudices; who were able to accept and interact with American Muslims as the human beings we all are. Thank you!

Noha Alshugairi

Newport Beach

The arts and public policy

Re “A cultural civics lesson,” Opinion, Sept. 5

I appreciated Gregory Rodriguez’s column suggesting strong connections between arts engagement and public policy. The National Endowment for the Arts conducted a study a few years ago that demonstrated a significant correlation between one’s cultural literacy and one’s propensity for volunteerism and community involvement.

The arts impart insights into the human condition and often examine tricky moral questions. As certain politicians invoke the invigoration of religious tenets into public discourse and the shaping of policy, it might behoove their more secular counterparts to advocate far more aggressively for a greater national investment in the arts.

David Burton

Glendale

I agree with Rodriguez on the need to address double-mindedness, empathy and moral engagement to get more of us (the common man) involved in civil discourse as well as increasing mutual respect for each others’ differences. But we are in a political crisis in our nation.

We (the average people) must demand that our politicians be honorable and not self-serving. We (the working class) must also demand that our news organizations present honorable and nonpartisan coverage. As American citizens, we must rekindle our sense of honor in ourselves and toward one another.

Susan Kogan

Oceanside

Making sense of middle school

Re “Lessons from a boy’s killing,” Column, Sept. 6

After my initial reactions of shock, horror and sadness following the shooting of Larry King by classmate Brandon McInerney at a middle school in Oxnard, I thought it pointed up the importance of two things: the need for strict uniform guidelines for all students in middle school, and the essential need for counseling for all students regarding tolerance and respect for everyone, including themselves.

Sandy Banks made several valid points about the pitfalls faced by all kids going through puberty and dealing with teasing and bullying, and the need for teachers and administrators to recognize and address the needs of

students who come from dysfunctional, sometimes abusive backgrounds. Those are special needs that should be handled by professionals trained in counseling and guidance.

It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s a start in the right direction.

Ellie Doud

Sherman Oaks

I can’t for the life of me understand why McInerney was put on trial as an adult. Only by delving into the mind of a 14-year-old boy can we possibly imagine the frustration and anger that caused him to commit such a heinous act.

Elvira Mastro

Los Angeles

Having followed the trial, I am disheartened by the atmosphere in the public schools. As a mother of four children who attended both public and private schools, I’m amazed that middle school teachers and administration allow this type of flaunting of sexuality and, by the same token, bullying of other students.

Banks hit the nail on the head when she said that middle schoolers benefit from less freedom and clear boundaries. I never heard a better argument for private schooling.

Mary Curtius

Coronado

Palestinians at the U.N.

Re “ “We are already at the U.N.,’ ” Q&A, Sept. 7

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat puts the lie to Israeli fear-mongering about the Palestinian bid for United Nations membership. Palestinians see U.N. membership as completely compatible with negotiations — not, as Israel asserts, incompatible. Nor is the Palestinian bid unilateral: Going to the 193-member U.N. is the essence of multilateralism.

The Obama administration is making a big error by working to kill the Palestinian effort. Such a move will set the U.S. back in its dealings with the developing world, especially in the Middle East.

Israel and the United States should support Palestinian membership in the U.N. as a step to finally resolving the conflict.

Jeff Warner

La Habra Heights

Erekat blames Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel for the lack of progress in peace talks in the last 20 years. Was he sleeping through the Oslo accords, signed exactly 18 years ago this month, which resulted in the Palestinians committing unremitting terror against innocent civilians?

Erakat’s bluff that the Palestinian Authority may disband if it is unsuccessful at the U.N. is just that — a bluff. The Palestinians in power would never give up their chance to further line their own pockets with U.S. and Israeli money, all the while keeping many of their people in poverty and using that to fuel their anger against the West.

Allan Kandel

Los Angeles

Not healthy

Re “Insurance practice unfair to shoppers,” Column, Sept. 6

For all the fears around “public health insurance,” people have no idea it typically means the public system provides you free access to all the drugs and care options available in case of terminal illnesses — no questions asked. I love my country — the U.S. — but have dual citizenship, French and American. My children have very good health insurance through my employer. But since they also have French citizenship, if they get really sick, I’ll buy tickets to fly to France.

Why does it have to be that way? This is a rich country that has spent plenty on healthcare. What we get as a result should be a measure of success; we’re not doing so well from that perspective.

Cecile Chalifour

Pasadena

Dog days

Re “San Jose’s new pickup line,” Sept. 5

I’m an avid dog lover and dog owner, and you know what? Just as it’s my responsibility to license my dogs and make sure they have their rabies shots, it’s my responsibility to clean up after my dogs.

I’m aghast that “some doggie devotees and open-space aficionados were aghast that San Jose had stopped fulfilling what they see as a critical municipal function.” Their argument — that supplying parks with poop bags is cheaper than hiring staff to clean up pet waste — is utterly absurd. Why should taxpayers have to foot the bill for your animals?

What would be far more cost-effective for the city is an ordinance requiring pet owners to supply their own bags and clean up their own pet waste. Violators will be fined. Now there’s a way to drum up revenue for the city.

Victoria Carlson

Burbank

On Al Qaeda

Re “Al Qaeda is down, not out,” Opinion, Sept. 7

Amy Zegart omits the single most significant reason that Al Qaeda and similar groups are down but not out. That reason is that the U.S. policies that produced Al Qaeda are still in force.

As long as U.S. foreign policy includes repeated wars on Muslim lands, there will be an Al Qaeda.

John R. Yates

Los Angeles