Mail Call: A Deadly Spree

ã€€ã€€For a great selection of excellent name brand footwear visit jordan after game basketball shoe,Readers of our Nov. four cover story on Washington, D.C.'s alleged snipers spoke out on gun violence, the rule of innocent till proven guilty and also the death penalty. One reader thought we had been too harsh on police officers. Blame those that took the lives of innocent individuals, she wrote.A Saga of EvilAs a longtime subscriber and faithful reader of one's magazine, I'm disappointed in your Nov. four cover (The Sick World with the Snipers, Special Report). By selecting to publish the photo with the two sniper suspects, you've given them preference over the innocent victims and the unsung heroes of this terrible episode. Your option will give fuel to losers like John Allen Muhammad and John Lee Malvo who're searching for quick fame and what passes for energy.Virginia B. LevyRockville, MarylandYour article around the snipers was stunningly great reporting, correct as much as the minute using the scuttlebutt about the jurisdictional melee. A big thumbs up to NEWSWEEK's team of crack reporters.T. J. PierceOakland, CaliforniaWith the ridiculous weapons laws with the Usa, it is surprising that this kind of an incident did not happen before. Instead of training its ostentatious anti-Iraq policy, the administration ought to look after the security of its personal citizens in their own nation. In spite with the almighty National Rifle Association, President Bush should introduce tougher laws on weapons control, otherwise we'll see more people becoming shot and much more relatives grieving.Martin MahleNeusss, GermanyI was shocked by your reference towards the Scarlet Pimpernel in the story on the Washington snipers. The Scarlet Pimpernel was clever and he did taunt and elude the French police and intelligence solutions. But he saved innocent men, ladies and kids from deranged and bloodthirsty revolutionaries, risking his personal existence to rescue individuals from the guillotine. He embarrassed and humiliated his pursuers, but he by no means killed anyone. I hate to determine a hero, albeit a fictional one, tarnished by an unfair comparison to coldblooded murderers.Carol ShapiroParis, FranceI happen to be a resident of Montgomery County for nearly 30 years, and I'm extremely proud with the task our law enforcement has carried out in apprehending the snipers. What I'm not proud of is the way local and federal prosecutors happen to be arguing more than who can kill the suspects the fastest.Jodi FinkelsteinOlney, MarylandThese trigger-happy snipers must face the full impact with the law for their gruesome numerous homicides. The U.S. legal system should view these acts of terror with grave concern; it should also revisit its laws on problems of jurisdiction on matters like this to prevent the judicial blunders that could be used by defense attorneys to totally free suspects beneath the guise of a fair hearing and on technical grounds. Remember Nicole Simpson? Not just is her murderer totally free, the situation died quietly after the prosecutors' blunders. The whole world will view the legal tussles and also the twists and turns that will ensue on the prosecution of those demented snipers who have been drifters in every endeavor except the killing of defenseless victims.Uwem AkangsonLagos, NigeriaI truly don't care whether these murderers and terrorists were or weren't victims of a bad childhood, and I don't truly care something about their previous. When you appropriately say that John Allen Muhammad was a run-of-the-mill loser, it is enough said. Tell us concerning the victims.Susan GrauerDenver, ColoradoOur nation was relieved to hear the news that the snipers terrorizing the D.C. area had been caught. Existence could return to normal--to the days when, on typical, 30 individuals in America had been murdered by firearms. The majority of these occurrences wouldn't receive reside, round-the-clock coverage--they could be relegated to small news items or short mentions on the nearby evening news. It didn't even take per week after the snipers were caught for another random shooting to take place--at a college in Arizona. Till we stop confusing civil rights with giving madmen the right to easily obtain high-powered weapons, and U.S. politicians stand up to the NRA, the snipers will probably be right: our children won't be secure anywhere, at any time.Valerie WeberDanville, PennsylvaniaCongratulations on a well-reported cover story concerning the Beltway sniper. Nevertheless, it's essential to note that John Muhammad was a member with the Nation of Islam, an American sect not affiliated with mainstream Islam. I'm a Roman Catholic, and think it is important for your media to obtain this kind of nuances correct, because there is a lot demonizing of Islam right now.Aly WaneChicago, IllinoisAccumulating Much less StuffI doubt that American materialism will subside and be a reason we buy less in the future (Consumers' Last Hurrah, U.S. Affairs, Nov. 4). Our whole existence continues to be built on the basis of overconsumption. Whether or not we require it or not, we've to possess the latest trendy thingamajig--a new car (even when our old one functions nicely), a newer or bigger home and the newest upgrade of everything--even though what we've perfectly serves our needs. The prospect of losing one's job is a prime cause to cut back on purchases. But additionally important is the fact that we're merely operating out of space at home and in our three-car garages to display, use or shop all the stuff we've accumulated.Claude M. GruenerAustin, TexasIt's a Dangerous WorldIn A Broad Globe of Trouble (War on Terror, Oct. 28), you accurately identify the global threat we face within the work to wipe out terrorism. But then you emphasize the daunting challenges confronting us rather than the national resolve we possess, that is our great weapon. It will get us through a possible war and assist us defeat terrorism.Jake ChandlerLake Forest, IllinoisI've discovered an additional discrepancy in how the Bush administration is handling the threats posed by Iraq and these by North Korea. North Korea is recognized to become selling its weaponry to rogue regimes and allegedly funding terrorist groups. While it's a struggle to convince those that Iraq is creating nuclear weapons and poses an instant risk to global security, there is little doubt that this really is accurate of North Korea. If Bush were truly severe about ridding the planet of security threats, Iraq would not be his first choice. You will find states sponsoring terror and instability that are more dangerous. Clearly Iraq is a danger, however the case made therefore far doesn't adequately demonstrate why it should be dealt with initial.Aliza RudnerOttawa, OntarioAn Imperialist LegacyYour post Saying 'Nyet' to Russian is a little lengthy around the Russian point of view and short on history (Europe, July 1). A few of the reactions towards the Russian language are merely reactions to half a century or more of Soviet imperialist policies, which included utilizing the Russian language as a tool for consolidating the disparate components of the empire in the cost of local languages. The 30 % of Russians within the present Latvian population did not just happen but was the outcome of those policies. When the Soviets first occupied Latvia in 1940, the Russian population was about 10 percent. The occupation-era immigrants didn't have to learn Latvian, and most did not. All official and much of public company was conducted in Russian. Little wonder that the titular nation now desires to re-establish Latvian because the official and public language and thus make up for injustices suffered throughout the years of occupation and colonization. Discrimination? What's discriminatory about insisting around the knowledge of Latvian as a situation of turning out to be naturalized? When I obtained my U.S. citizenship, I needed to demonstrate that I knew English. By the way, the language-testing law for political candidates continues to be revoked, as well as your reporter should have checked into that. But official business in our Parliament has to be carried out in Latvian, just as English will be the language within the U.S. Congress. Russian won't disappear in Latvia; Russia will merely need to accept the truth that its language is no longer a tool for imperial ambitions.Valters NollendorfsThe Museum of the Occupation of Latvia (1940-1991)Riga, LatviaEven in the risk of sounding undemocratic, I should sympathize using the Latvians who wish to eradicate Russian from their land. Unfortunately, it is not that simple. Throughout the terror under Stalin, millions had been executed, sent to particular death in Siberia, and starved to death within the republics that formed a part of the U.S.S.R. Ukraine lost more than 7 million individuals because of an artificial famine throughout 1932-1933. For a nation of 52 million, this was a terrible loss. They were largely replaced by ethnic Russians, who now happen to be part of the nearby population for generations. Present-day Ukraine is 22 percent ethnic Russian. The Russian language is heard as frequently as Ukrainian and, in certain regions, more often. The battle to recover the individuality of a nation, 1 which has been stomped out with unheard-of cruelty, is definitely an uphill one.Alex HorochowskiCordoba, ArgentinaYour references to Latvia within the post about Russian-language policies within the formerly occupied countries are outdated, inaccurate and misleading. Neither the OSCE nor the EU appear upon Latvian language laws as discriminatory, and have said so in their official statements. The Russian-language radio station was penalized not for broadcasting in Russian (numerous stations do so without restrictions in Latvia) but for the content of its broadcasts. And also the language needs for parliamentarians had been dropped months ago.Ojars KalninsDirector, Latvian InstituteRiga, LatviaIn Uzbekistan, the number of schools that teach solely in Russian has decreased, so it might mean students discover much less Russian, but it doesn't imply fewer college students who learn Russian. All schools are needed to educate Russian additionally to Uzbek. So, your reporter's assertion that a 20-year-old in rural Uzbekistan would not comprehend Russian is not correct. Living and teaching in rural Uzbekistan, I was always first greeted in Russian by schoolchildren and, yes, even by 20-year-olds. As for the statements concerning Karakalpakstan, grandmothers may decide to spend for private Russian classes but your readers should know that all education is free in Uzbekistan. Your reporter notes that this is one of the poorest regions, then why mention teenage girls carrying computer manuals? I've been to the Progress Language Center, and I never saw a pc manual there. Also, Russian is the main language utilized in the Progress Language Center. The fact is, the very best colleges in Uzbekistan are Russian, and mother and father of all nationalities, being aware of this, ensure that their children are fluent in Russian so they can attend these schools.Diego RiveraTashkent, UzbekistanNational languages unite countries like Ukraine, Latvia and Estonia, but Russian can nonetheless be spoken freely in these countries. But Tashkent, Bukhara, Lviv and Tallinn are now more than just the former Soviet territories; they are rapidly developing, thriving communities. Eastern Europeans whose fathers as soon as gave their lives for your opportunity to speak their national language and be free from Moscow's oppression reside in these nations. Looking now at these countries via Moscow's eyes would be to hark back to their imperialistic previous.Andrew IgnatovAmes, IowaThe greatest and the brightest from Latvia--tens of thousands of them--were killed by the Russians or deported to the gulags throughout the Russian occupation. Now, we Latvians are rebuilding our country. In the event the former occupiers discover it not to their liking, they are able to return to their homeland. Russians ought to realize that they can no longer go to any of their former occupied nations, bang their fists--or their shoes--on the table and spit on the floor and insist that these nations speak Russian. They are able to no longer pollute Latvian rivers, bring acid rain and build leaky nuclear plants. Their dogs can no lengthier poop within our buildings and they are able to no lengthier chop up mahogany paneling for firewood. Latvians aren't asking Russians to go home, we're assimilating them. They're protected under Latvian law. But the Latvian language, associated to Sanskrit, is among the oldest residing languages. Numerous Russian residents speak Latvian, and we think that cool.Irena Zommersby way of internet;Cool of dazzle jordan shoes for cheap.