black@pundit.DEC (DON BLACK DTN 261-2739 MS: NIO/N13 LOC: POLE C6) (07/02/85)
We all have cause to celebrate now that the latest batch of hostages is back in American hands. The Moslem world is gloating because they slapped the hands of the White Devils and got away with it. The Israelis are gloating because they only had to release political prisoners they were going to release anyway, and now the American public is even more convinced that the Arabs are the Baddies and the Israelis are the Goodie-Two-Shoes. So now Ronnie wants to close Beirut Airport in retaliation. Smooth move, Ex-Lax. How to invite more trouble in one easy lesson. If terrorist can't get at us in the Mid-east, they'll get us someplace else, like, maybe, Manhattan. The American people have to realize that Moslems are people, just like us. They have wants and dreams; likes and dislikes; loves and hates. The differences in the various sects are probably similar to the differences among Christians: one is more conservative than another. These Moslems took the aircraft and hostages in reprisal for the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and the unlawful arrest of hundreds of Shiite Lebanese. They don't have the military muscle necessary to repel the invasion, so they strike out any way they can. Since they believe America is controlling Israel, they strike out at us. (What they don't understand is that things are really the other way around.) If we intend to avoid future terrorism by the Shiites, we really should be paying more attention to the Moslem point of view. Maybe we don't have to give them foreign aid or arms, but we could at least have some sympathy. Then again, maybe we really don't have to give foreign aid or arms to Israel, either. Regards, --Don Black
tw8023@pyuxii.UUCP (T Wheeler) (07/08/85)
I would like to correct one mistake many posters are making concerning the recent hijacking. The terrorist's original demands had nothing to do with the 700 + prisoners in Isreal. The original demands were the release of terrorists being held in a Spanish jail, the release of others in another prison, and the payment of 2 million dollars in ransom. The demands changed during one of those several Algeria-Lebonan flights. Someone had to have pointed out to them the futility of the original demands. And, since it was probably already known that the 700+ were to be released anyway, this would be a better goal, plus it would cause a bigger fuss between the US and Isreal. I feel that there was a lot more to the change in demands than meets the eye. T. C. Wheeler