Letters: Sep. 11, 2006

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(4 of 5)

In spite of all the efforts by Western governments and Western news media to keep Pakistan from being branded "terror center" of the world, the facts just keep saying otherwise. It is understandable that the U.S. would want Pakistan to deal with the monster it has created. But sooner or later, Western governments will have to get involved in that nation's internal affairs. Only direct intervention by the West is going to eradicate the threat coming out of Pakistan. SURESH SHETH Houston

Muslims in Europe complain that they are suspect because they are Muslim. What do they expect? The people engaging in terrorism are advocates of radical Islam. BRONDI BEN-YOSEF Ness Ziona, Israel

Muslims in North America

It's nice to know, according to Peter Skerry's Viewpoint [Aug. 21], that Muslims living in the U.S. are mostly suburban "university-educated professionals," who thus lack an incentive to attack us at the moment. Ironically, having achieved success by virtue of the freedom offered by a country built primarily by European Christians, they maintain a deafening silence in the face of atrocities enacted each day by their co-religionists. As the widow of a good and decent man murdered in the Twin Towers, I find their apathy unconscionable. LESLIE DIMMLING Garden City, N.Y.

No Exodus

"The Brawl in California" [Aug. 7] gave the impression that litigation against the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine has created an exodus of stem-cell researchers from California. In fact few if any have left, and dozens have moved to the state because of supportive state laws and stable funding opportunities. In addition, our institute recently established a training program at 16 state institutions that will train 169 young researchers, including predoctoral, postdoctoral and clinical fellows, many of whom have come from out of state or from overseas. ZACH W. HALL, PRESIDENT CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE FOR REGENERATIVE MEDICINE San Francisco

Segway Seeks to Conquer

The Segway is a technological marvel [Aug. 21]. But here in Middle America it is seen as an expensive toy for the rich who live on the coasts. Perhaps if the company offered some discounted units to police departments or civic organizations, we could see one in action--and that just might help make a few sales. MIKE COLEMAN Union, Mo.

My daughter-in-law has multiple sclerosis and uses a Segway in the house. She had her car adapted for ease in getting the Segway into the back of her station wagon. She told me that it has made her life much more fulfilling. Now she can take the dog for a walk, go shopping, meet with her friends--in general, she's much more mobile. This is a miracle machine. JOE BLATNER Vancouver, Wash.

Dean Kamen could make his Segway the transporter of this century simply by sprinkling a few on college campuses across the country. Our young people would acquire another addiction, along with their iPods and notebook computers. Once indoctrinated, they would spread the seeds after graduation. DAVID P. BOGARDUS Portland, Ore.

A good set of feet can take you anywhere, doesn't require a parking place, can go up and down stairs, usually comes as standard equipment on a human body, isn't likely to be stolen and is allowed on a variety of surfaces in all 50 states. KENT JUDKINS Shreveport, La.

Below the Belt?