Hope for Afghanistan, Pakistan

Afghanistan could become a canvas for the more benevolent intentions of prosperous, civilized nations. If the right amounts of resources and attention are devoted to its prosperity, Afghanistan (its condition arguably sustained by the long Cold War between two powerful, belligerent nations) could receive the benefit of the competence that those democratic, free-market societies often presuppose. The work could be done transparently, delicately, in full view of those communities and nations that have been questioning democratic, free-market competence.

The burgeoning anti-globalization movement and the alarming growth of Islamic fundamentalism share parts of the same worldwide demographic: the economically and politically disenfranchised of the developing nations. Afghanistan is a canvas the size of Texas; prosperous, civilized nations need to assemble their most competent artists. These artists will need to be gracious in collaboration and understand the virtues of revision.

Mike Dragan

Fountain Valley

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Re “Political Shift Stifles Islamic Anger at U.S.,” Dec. 10: We Americans owe deep gratitude to our administration and armed forces for their near demolition of the Taliban bad guys. Their unpredicted and unexpected successes in Afganistan are without precedent. We all wish them every success in a triumphant conclusion.

Kim Murphy scoops all sources to bring to us an in-depth report on two possibly even more important events occurring in Pakistan: the virtual disappearance of the previous American flag-burning multitudes of protesters in Quetta, Pakistan, located 50 miles from the border with Afganistan; and the powerful inroads the Islamic radicals have made in creating 10,000 religious schools throughout Pakistan with the goal of controlling the government and its nuclear bomb(s).

While Pakistan is under the control of a dictator, President Pervez Musharraf’s decision to team with the United States against the Taliban can only be viewed as a hope for humanity.

Stanley C. Mellin

Rancho Palos Verdes

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I am puzzled by the cartoon that appeared on your Dec. 10 commentary page, by Dick Wright (“And in Washington, American senators are concerned about terrorists’ civil rights. . . . “).

What does it mean? Does it mean that we should have the same civil rights as the Taliban? Does it mean that if we are going to fight them effectively we have to give up our rights? Are civil rights somehow effeminate?

By the way, the two Talibs are listening to a radio with a wire hanger for an antenna; does that mean that they send out their robes to be dry-cleaned?

Walter Maya

Claremont