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Letters To The Editor

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 22, 2007

Administrative Folly

Regarding "Suppressing Speech On Campus Hurts University's Prestige" (Our Opinion, Dec. 13):

Your editorial criticizing the administration of the University of Florida for its efforts to suppress free speech was a model of excellence and courage. Thoughtful people everywhere agree on the reality of radical Islam as a very dangerous enemy. While most Muslims may be at UF to study, the three USF students associated with homemade bombs remind us that there is an enemy in our midst. American students have every right to express their concern about the violence associated with radical Islam.

You were painfully correct in asserting the dangers of multiculturalism and political correctness. These leftist ideologies profoundly affect free speech because most students are intimidated by the pressure to conform to the "correct" non-judgmentalism advocated by the administration. You again nailed President Bernie Machen for favoring "diversity" over truth-telling. Only exposure by editors like you and a threat from Attorney General Bill McCollum saved the day.

Worst of all is Telles-Irvin, the PC monitor at UF and a person with no clue about our Constitution's content. She, like hundreds of her university counterparts across this country, prefer "diversity" to truth-telling and critical thinking. She is too incompetent to be retained and your call for her dismissal was refreshingly courageous.

CORNELIUS J. TROOST

Tampa

Get Mad At Fanatics

Regarding "An Affront To Islam" (Letters, Dec. 14):

I'm sick and tired of reading about the latest insult to Islam. When will Muslims become insulted by the fanatics who strap bombs on children to kill other children and who use women and children as human shields? When will they become insulted about the barbaric practice of honor killing, as if there were any honor involved?

Will they ever be insulted by the religious fanatics who wanted to murder a school teacher who was trying to do some good in their country?

DENNIS BUSH

Tampa

Taking Offense At Words

The religion of Sherri Sujai and more than 6 million U.S.-based Muslims has been insulted by Leonard Pitts?

Sujai's response enforces the very purpose of Pitts' words; warm and fuzzy plus Teddy Bear suggests there are no written words that will not offend these people.

Sujai's concern for Sudan touches me. Sujai and those of the 6 million-plus offended Muslims should go and live there. Perhaps they could suggest that Sudan's Islamic government be warmer and fuzzier toward the people of Darfur.

ROBERT JAMES

Tampa

No Place To Visit

We must question the sanity of the poor teacher from England who was freed by Sudan after allegedly insulting Muhammad by allowing a doll to be named after the prophet. Her suggestion that the Sudan be visited is ridiculous.

The Sudan is an outlaw state and supporter of terrorism. It is where an ongoing genocide against Christians is taking place. It is where Osama bin Laden found refuge. Hassan Al Turabi, who was brought to Tampa by Sami Al-Arian as an "Islamic scholar," came from the Sudan. Sudan should not be visited in a friendly manner.

NORMAN N. GROSS

Palm Harbor

Good Use Of Law

Regarding "Parents Want Justice For Son After Arrest" (Metro, Dec. 15):

The article describes that the accused, according to his attorney, is being charged with a "little-used law." This is irrelevant. What is relevant is that it is a federal crime for someone in this country on a student visa to posses a firearm - period.

Further it is very disturbing to discover that this individual was at a firing range with the two University of South Florida students who are Egyptian nationals charged this past summer with transporting explosives. Fact is, birds of a feather flock together. Being granted a student visa to study in this country is a privilege, not a right and one would think that those granted this privilege would make every attempt to be model citizens.

USF may have to rethink its philosophy of "diversity" or truly risk being labeled as "Jihad University."

MERWAN HASSAM

Lutz

The writer is president of Promoting Responsibility in Middle East Reporting.

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