Letters: Sep. 25, 2006

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Skerry asserts that European countries have disaffected Muslim populations because of "the U.S.'s enduring emphasis on religious liberty." I do not believe Britain to be any less accommodating to people of faith. British people want Muslims to participate in our society. But a majority of Muslims in this country prefer to build walls instead of bridges and regard our culture with disdain.

TIM BECKERLEY London

Can We Be Secure Enough?

Your article about the challenge of living with the unforeseen risks of terrorist attacks [Aug. 21] made it plain that there is so much concern about what passengers cannot carry on airlines that we seem to have lost sight of the problem of cargo security. Since anything can now be secreted in a toothpaste tube, isn't there a higher risk of a small bomb's being placed in the cargo hold? A big bribe put in the hands of a baggage handler might be enough to do it.

CHADWICK HALL London

The U.S. government keeps Americans in a perpetual state of fear because citizens are more easily manipulated when they are in that condition. The same thing happens in Britain to a degree. As long as there is any kind of threat, our governments are going to seize the opportunity to pass draconian measures to control the population. As long as they can convince us that the threat is severe enough, we are going to willingly give up our freedoms. What they seem to have lost sight of is that government is there to serve the people, not the other way round.

GRIMBLE GROMBLE Melksham, England

You asked, "How much risk are we willing to live with?" I would feel safe if Britain detached itself from U.S. foreign policy; if Palestinians were given their own state and it was supported by the West to the same degree as the state of Israel is supported; if we opened a respectful dialogue with the states of the Middle East; if we stopped supporting corrupt Arab regimes; and if Muslim leaders in Britain were making it sufficiently clear in the public forum that the taking of any human life is evil.

JIM MCCLUSKEY Twickenham, England

Roots of Rage

TIME wrote about Islamic discontent fomenting in Britain [Aug. 21]. It is tiring to hear Muslims blaming terrorism on British and American foreign policy. That is the lamest excuse, and going off on some guilt trip, as some Westerners do, is unfortunate. As an African, my brethren and I did not find it tempting to engage in terrorism in the trying periods of apartheid, slavery, colonialism or the civil rights movement. It's time Western societies recognize an excuse when they hear one, otherwise the threatening boast of the mullahs--the forced Islamization of the West--will become a reality sooner than anyone can imagine.

BOMA GOGO Bonny Island, Nigeria The Other Two-Wheeler

I read with interest your recent report about the innovative Segway scooter [Aug. 21]. It is without a doubt an elegant invention, but I do not understand why I should spend nearly $5,000 on something that has no advantage over a good bicycle, which is inexpensive, environmentally friendly and provides good exercise, with no battery to charge.

ALBERTO FUMAGALLI Carugate, Italy