Religion’s Role in Battling Terrorism

Mark A. Heller, in his Aug. 4 Op-Ed article, “A Bonanza for Hezbollah,” sounds much like the uncivilized cowards he tries to ignore. He is correct in labeling his method for dealing with terrorists as callous. He is unrealistic in hoping this nation will condone the hanging of our citizens by lawless, unjust apostates (or, for the matter, anybody other than ourselves).

Ignoring our problems with the Hezbollah is not going to make them disappear. We cannot expect the Hezbollah to one day become reasonable people willing to negotiate; we should not expect the Iranians to suddenly become nice guys willing to mediate for the release of U.S. hostages. Because “Government is instituted among us to secure certain unalienable rights . . . ,” which we possess abroad as well as domestically, our government must respond to get back our countrymen and protect these rights. Even though the various factions in Lebanon are not officially recognized as legitimate political groups, we have to actively respond to their endless murdering. Either overt or covert military operations are now warranted as an effort to recover the hostages. The time for talk is past.

BRIAN LIPPA

Sunnyvale