Steeped in hate

Re “Silver screen or suicide vest,” Column One, Jan. 13

Reading about the stark, frank reality of Hiba Qassir was very disturbing and very scary.

As one of the producers of last year’s film “Rendition,” I was again reminded why I was drawn to the subject matter of the script, and also who the real victims are in these never-ending wars on terrorism: kids -- young, impressionable, easily swayed, wide-eyed and idealistic.

What a terrible shame to raise and instill children with such hate and prejudice, the same hate their parents were raised with. History does repeat itself.

Bill Todman Jr.

Los Angeles

The writer is the CEO of Level 1 Entertainment.

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Borzou Daragahi’s guided tour of Hezbollah’s martyrdom exhibit in Lebanon sent chills up my spine. The 18-year-old docent speaks of “logic” and suicide bombing in the same breath.

My guess is that The Times didn’t print the article to sell more papers. Hence, I continue to fear for Israel, and for the Western world.

Bill Aronis

Los Angeles

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While Arab teenagers like Qassir dream of martyrdom in bloody suicide attacks, Israeli teenagers dream of becoming doctors and high-tech entrepreneurs.

Could that be the reason the people of Gaza live in poverty while Israelis enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the Middle East?

No wonder Hamas is so intent on destroying the Jewish state; it’s a daily reminder of the failure of its ideology.

Eric Gardner

Redondo Beach

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Qassir personifies the extremist, sick, suicidal character of her fanatical Middle Eastern generation. It is no wonder Israel cannot make any progress toward peace when they think only of “paradise” after death.

Of course, her future in filmmaking is now extremely limited as few countries should permit her entry; she’s a ticking time bomb.

Alan V. Weinberg

Woodland Hills

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Extremists in religion love to brainwash the young. This holds true for all religions; it is just a matter of how much and how bizarre.

Karl Kamper

West Covina

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The Times has shown a complete disregard for responsible journalism. There is no irony to this story whatsoever. It is written as if Qassir’s “career choice” for martyrdom should be taken as seriously as if she were opting for a profession in accounting.

For a young reader, or even a daily subscriber who has become desensitized by your anti-Israel, pro-Arab bias, her story comes off as a seemingly viable option.

Michael Greenfeld

Encino