Berkeley Fallout Over Afghanistan Bombing

Re “Berkeley Is Reeling Over Anti-War Vote,” Oct. 26: I’m sure that those who have responded to the Berkeley City Council resolution opposing the air war in Afghanistan by boycotting Berkeley businesses and making ad hominem attacks against the council members would say that they, like the council, are merely exercising their right to free speech. And, technically, they’d be right.

But it troubles me that these folks feel the need to personally attack and punish others for simply disagreeing with them. Why can’t they write a letter expressing civil disagreement and respond to the council’s ideas with ideas of their own? Why do they have to boycott local businesspeople who had no part in the council’s action?

I fear that what we’re seeing here is the dark side of unity. I understand that people have strong opinions on this subject. But it seems that now, more than ever, we should be striving to talk and listen to each other, with civility and respect. And the bottom line is, in America, people should not be punished merely for holding unpopular opinions.

Steve Omlid

Upland

I am happy to see Northern Californians really flexing their monetary muscle by refusing to support Berkeley and its stupid stance on the war against terrorism. When the resolution demanding the end of bombing in Afghanistan passed, they were all full of themselves. The lone dissenter in Washington, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), was commended for her vote in Congress. Now, they are doing an about-face and telling everyone that they were misunderstood or misquoted. The majority of Americans want the bombing to go on until we can feel safe again in our homes or workplaces.

John Julis

Bellflower