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Seeing the Trees and the Forest Your report on London's recent terrorism scare asked, "Can We Spot the Threat?" [July 16]. Of course we can! The threat is modern Islam — the newly born, power-hungry, fundamentalist metamorphosis of a traditionally moderate religion waging a holy war against the supposedly corrupt and decaying West. Many Muslims firmly believe that the virtually limitless funds streaming from the Middle Eastern oil wells and the tolerance in Western countries of militant Islamist propaganda are all by decree from Allah. Given the refusal of the politically correct Western leadership and media to recognize the true identity of this threat and effectively deal with it, it will keep surprising us time and again. Moshe G. Katz, Rishon Lezion, Israel

Under a Cloud, or Clear-Eyed? William Kristol's "Be Happy!" commentary about the U.S.'s misplaced pessimism began with this statement: "It's mass gloom that opens doors to outsiders like [Ross] Perot and [Mike] Bloomberg" [July 16]. This may be Kristol's view, but for many others the "gloom" is about improving the nation. America can be greater than a bunch of lifer politicians who view the world through the haze of their intoxication with power and privilege. Abe WalkingBear Sanchez, Canon City, Colorado, U.S.

Kristol touched on what he called the "adolescent moodiness" that pervades the U.S. in 2007. All is better than most of us perceive, he implied, but then he acknowledged, "The key question, of course, is the fate of Iraq." Other than that, Mr. Kristol, how did you like the play? Frank Murtaugh, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.

The country is not as bad off as we seem to think. But it's equally true that we shouldn't sit down and shut up. As Americans, we are vested by the Constitution with the duty and right to speak out against wrong and possibly criminal behavior by our government. As long as we're Americans, we will raise our voices in discontent when we recognize tomfoolery and deceit. Larry Gibson, Palm Springs, California, U.S.

Kristol provided an interesting portrayal of the national pessimism swirling through the U.S. and observed the same tendency in Europe. In Belgium we held federal elections one month ago. People expect that many of our new government's actions will improve social security and employment. I wonder whether this widespread pessimism is really justified. Globally, public opinion is becoming more moderate, and the kind of sheepish anti-American mentality is bound to disappear in time. If I hang the Stars and Stripes on my wall, it means I see it not as a symbol of oppression but as a symbol of freedom and equality. Mathieu Smeysters, Leuven, Belgium

In bold type, Kristol declares that "It may well be that no other people in human history have ever had it quite so good." He is probably correct, if he is referring to the upper class. But he is wrong if he believes that the 47 million people without health insurance and the working class in general have no reason to feel pessimistic. As Kristol stated, unemployment is low. But the rise in low-paying and insecure "McJobs" is not a sign that all boats are being lifted. As long as the income gap between rich and poor continues to soar, there will be increasing pessimism. Joe Burke, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.

Mr. Kristol, put down your book of statistics. Get out from behind your desk, and head out to where people are forced to work multiple jobs in order to make ends meet. America is stronger than ever — for corporate America and the top 10 percenters. The middle-class worker is steadily being replaced by the working poor. I owned a tire-and-radiator business years ago and took for granted that everyone could afford the best tires, monthlong vacations in Florida every winter and luxury vehicles. I was shocked into reality as this lifestyle declined over time. From then on, I let the less fortunate customers look through my used-tire pile. After I closed up, I stayed to mount and balance tires for free. We all have a tendency to overlook what's often right before our eyes. David A. Robinson, Brooksville, Florida, U.S.

Melee at the Madrasah Your story on the standoff at a mosque in Islamabad is of a radical Islam that will wreak havoc to uphold its ideologies [July 16]. But it failed to mention that the views held by those responsible for the siege of Islamabad's Red Mosque are not truly representative of Islam. There is no religion in the world that justifies the use of violence or promotes taking the law into one's own hands. The residents of the Lal Masjid compound have done both by forcefully occupying land and abducting people. If any of the victims involved stood accused of wrongdoing, the matter should have been taken up with the proper authorities. Islam teaches universal brotherhood and kindness to humanity — a view, alas, lost on those brandishing their weapons to uphold it. Faisal Ghani, Lahore, Pakistan

The tone of the article suggested that the believers in the Lal Masjid compound are victims and not common thugs. It is clear that they will not be happy until they force their beliefs on all of Pakistan. They would be committing more crimes if they weren't under siege. Scot Westwood, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.

Ann the Man? Re Ann Coulter's declaration that she's "more of a man than any liberal" [July 16]: She might have more testosterone than any liberal if that quality is based on the ability to make ignorant statements. But what she lacks, like any bully, is courage. Jerry McWilliams, Littleton, Colorado, U.S.

Apples and (Mandarin) Oranges "The Growing Dangers of the China Trade" [July 9] seemingly placed hope on Chinese consumers' demand for FDA-equivalent food-safety assurances from their government as a way to halt or at least lessen the export of dangerous and adulterated Chinese goods to the U.S. While it might be a small step in the right direction, I'm afraid it largely overlooks the principal obstacle in achieving that goal. Reverence for government and rule by law is essentially nonexistent in China. Many Chinese businessmen believe the government is just another business competitor that can be handled with bribery. It looks like American consumers are in for a long and precarious ride, especially if the U.S. government is going to continue its lax import-inspection practices. Anthony G. Trimarchi, Taipei

Superpower's Burden Re Peter Beinart's "America's Foreign Policy Trap" [June 25-July 2]: Is there a need for the U.S. to continue performing its "duty" as the world's only policeman? I suggest a definite no as the answer. For several decades, the U.S. has poked its nose in every corner of the world, especially where it is considered to be strategically essential for national, economic or political advantage. The U.S. is placing itself in an awkward and unenviable position, inviting not only the displeasure of the weaker nations but also the discomfort of the stronger powers. Aside from burning through billions of dollars on overseas military deployment, the U.S. has lost thousands of its troops in often futile and wasteful attempts to champion democracy and exterminate terrorism in other countries. What an unusually steep price to pay! The U.S. ought to begin to be more inward looking and put its house in good order first. Munn-Zie Chaan, Hong Kong