Europe's Muslims and Mistrust

Your cover story quoted European Muslims complaining about mistrust and discrimination [Feb. 11]. Mistrust is understandable: while most Muslims are not terrorists, most terrorists are Muslims. If moderate Muslims would condemn and speak out against terrorism, mistrust would vanish. Same for discrimination: Muslim women wearing head scarves are signaling, Look how different I am! Neither Protestants nor Catholics make such a show of their faith. If Muslim women chose to follow a less extremist interpretation of Koranic rules, they would no longer suffer from discrimination.
Nicolas Gessner, PARIS

Even before I read the cover article, i was offended by its subtitle about Muslims having to overcome prejudice. Muslims in Europe have encountered no more prejudice than those in the U.S. have — that is, very little. Muslims who have succeeded here have done so in large part because of the countless opportunities and tolerance of these societies. The article criticized an entire continent for misunderstandings and occasional prejudice. Ridiculous. If people believed they would encounter cruelty in Europe, they would not go to such great lengths to come here.
Goretti Mello Brooks, LONDON

So much the better if European Muslims are breaking through. However, their success should bring on a greater responsibility to inform Westerners of their ideals and encourage their fellow Muslims to advance. Too often, the moderate Muslim voice is not heard. European Muslims should more openly condemn the oppression of women and the use of terrorism in the name of Allah.
Margaret Pauquet, PARIS

Your article, while refreshing, hid many other truths not so glamorous. It's high time that second-or third-generation European Muslims embrace Europe's economic and social values. Unfortunately, Muslims have failed to integrate in France. Just remember the suburban riots two years ago: most if not all rioters were Arab and African Muslims. Secularist education and behavior are the keys. Muslim values are like any ordinary honest person's; Islamic values are not. Being a Muslim is not a flaw, but it's not a privilege either.
Eric Valette, PARIS

An Under-30 Uprising
I enjoyed reading your article "Why Young Voters Care Again" [Feb. 11]. It is great to see people under 30 enthused about voting in this year's presidential election. I hope they will stay inspired beyond this November. It is important to remember that politics does not end at the voting booth and that the President needs the cooperation of Congress to fulfill most campaign promises. Citizens don't have to wait until the next election to make their voices heard. Those who stay involved and make their wishes known influence what happens. It would be nice to be able to elect a President who would just run the country without any future involvement from us, but in a democracy, participation is the price we pay to ensure our continued freedom and way of life.
Robert Hanlon, CHELMSFORD, MASS., U.S.

Senator Barack Obama speaks of hope, and here is a generation of teens and twentysomethings finally listening and getting involved, realizing they can help shape the future. The hope Obama speaks of lies not only in the election of a new President but also in the mere fact that the youth of America care. They are our future leaders, and their political participation is just as important to the nation as the election itself.
Harmony A. Trevino, Program Coordinator, Hands of Hope, CYPRESS, CALIF., U.S.

The Surge's Shaky Success
Michael Duffy and Mark Kukis wrote an informative article on why the surge has worked [Feb. 11]. However, I feel that your reporters overlooked possibly the most important reason that the violence in Iraq subsided: millions of Iraqi refugees have fled neighborhoods to escape sectarian cleansing. Our military personnel have fought bravely and well during their deployment in Iraq, but much of the sectarian violence has stopped simply because in many Iraqi neighborhoods there aren't any enemies left to kill.
Jim Bettag, de soto, MO., U.S.

A Two-for-One Candidate?
Thanks to Joe Klein for his brilliant comments [Feb. 11] on what he called Bill Clinton's "solipsistic need for victory at any cost." The problems inherent in his often offensive meddling in what is ultimately Hillary's business are there to stay if she wins the nomination. If she goes on to win the general election, we will see a virtual dual presidency the minute she is sworn in. The dignity of the office could again be exposed to dangerous radiation. If you wish to understand this as an Obama endorsement, so be it.
Werner Radtke, PADERBORN, GERMANY

I have not forgotten the eight years of economic prosperity and relative peace in the world the Clintons gave us. How insulting to Senator Clinton to argue that she shows weakness in having Bill fight for her. The press has bigger issues than to demean these real contributors to our country.
Kenneth Bernstein, CENTEREACH, N.Y., U.S.

Italy's Political Garbage
Jeff Israely's article "A dearth of courage" depicted quite well the meanness and shortsightedness of Italian politicians [Feb. 4]. But it did not make evident the dramatic consequences arising from such a lack of courage and decisions. The last center-left government not only did nothing to slow the rising prices of basic commodities but also worsened the situation by increasing taxes. Everybody is struggling with meager salaries or pensions, while members of the ruling class enjoy enormous incomes and a lot of benefits. Everywhere one can feel the contempt that ordinary people nourish toward politicians in this mock democracy. The sight of the uncollected trash around Naples is a painful metaphor of the Italian mess.
Alessandro Berrini, SAN DONATO MILANESE, ITALY

It's depressing to read the headlines in the international press about Italy's economic and governmental crises, and Israely's article was no exception. But perhaps that's what Italy and its ever-changing ruling political class deserve. Since Italy's first steps toward democracy, each government has relied on countless small parties. More recently, the situation has been worsened by outdated political thinking that does not match the needs of today's younger electorate, which demands labor reform and efficient economic policies. As a result, most Italians no longer trust members of the old political guard, whose main interest has been to pass laws to increase their already conspicuous benefits. When elections approach, they try to shift blame for mishandling the political agenda away from themselves, amid endless cases of corruption, immoral behavior and wasting of public resources. Rome, it's time to change.
Giulio Cicconi, TERAMO, ITALY