Opinion: Hey, Obama critics, how would saying ‘Islamic terrorism’ help exactly?

To the editor: I read former CIA officer Bryan Dean Wright’s piece thinking that someone with his credentials could adequately explain what was wrong with President Obama’s position on terrorism. Unfortunately, he failed in that endeavor. Obama has explained in great detail why he does not use the term “Islamic terrorism.” (“I’m a former CIA officer and a Democrat. Here’s what Obama still doesn’t get about terrorism,” Opinion, Dec. 9)

Those questioning the president’s position have failed to explain how labeling the current crop of terrorists as “Islamic” would help. Wright has added nothing to the conversation.

Wright states, quite rightly I believe, that Saudi Arabia has helped spread Wahhabism, which is behind the radicalization of some Muslims. Fine, but then what? Does the U.S. cut off relations with Saudi Arabia? Impose sanctions? Invade? These questions have gone unanswered.

Until someone can answer these critical questions, I will support Obama. I think it is Wright who “still doesn’t understand that.”

James Harley, Redondo Beach

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To the editor: Irony is a specialty of “progressive” intellectuals, but they are, no doubt, choking on it after reading The Times’ Friday edition.

On Page A6 there was a story about the abuse of openly Muslim women in New York; in the op-ed section there was Wright’s piece providing an honest appraisal of the threat faced by the West from rabid Wahhabist religious fanatics.

Blaming Donald Trump’s “rhetoric” for anti-Muslim abuses is like blaming the canary in the coal mine for killing miners with poison gas. Trump, many of us hope, will ditch progressive political correctness for reality.

David Schwankle, Riverside

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