Letters, May 22, 1995

TERROR IN OKLAHOMA CITY

"For those concerned over the erosion of personal freedoms, forget it. We've already lost the most basic one of all: freedom from fear."

Philip G. Plotica Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Thank you for your in-depth coverage of the bombing in my hometown [COVER, May 1]. But no words or pictures will ever convey the great, hollow sadness that we here will carry with us forever. Even though I understand the need to place blame, the political rhetoric about conservative talk shows and fingers pointed every which way seemed profane, even grotesque when bodies of babies and fellow citizens were still being pulled from the rubble. We citizens here, the victims and their families have nothing to do with Waco, with militias or G. Gordon Liddy. We simply went to work one day and found our lives and hearts blown to bits.

Jan Kordisch Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

This bombing, in the heart of the U.S., opened many eyes. Knowing now that no city is exempt from such a disaster, we can learn how to be on alert and maybe protect our nation from such a horrible thing's happening again.

Maggie Brown, age 15 Louisville, Kentucky

Tragically, we have witnessed in Oklahoma City the logical derivative of the rhetoric of Rush Limbaugh and his ilk. Please, people, "the government" isn't the enemy; the government is us. Attacking it attacks all of us. If it doesn't work, let's fix it.

Joe Morse Bellingham, Washington

Forget intelligent discussion on gun rights for individual citizens. Forget inquiries into the government's botching of Waco. Forget any rhetoric at all on ways to reduce the scope of government in our lives. For now and the foreseeable future, anyone (of any race, creed, gender or religion) who even brings up these topics will be accused of abetting baby killers. So we can chalk up another victory for the Oklahoma City bombers. In addition to being vicious terrorists and murderers of innocent children, they are mind-bendingly stupid individuals.

Rodney Stansfield Garden Grove, California

We have serious questions about the actions the government has taken attacking so-called white supremacist Randy Weaver, the Branch Davidians and others. The fact that Weaver was tried and acquitted in court is rarely mentioned by mainstream media. Yet those of us who raise legitimate questions about the moves against Weaver and the Davidians are met with accusations of racism and hate mongering as the government and media attempt to evade any accountability. And you wonder why we are frightened and suspicious of our government?

Melinda Monaghan Rough and Ready, California

Politicians ranging from the occupant of the Oval Office to the local dog-catcher agree on one issue: it's high time to put some additional teeth into the laws of the land to prevent evil assassins from committing their heinous acts. Nonsense! I am confident that sufficient laws are in place to incarcerate these criminals, when convicted through due process, for the remainder of their lives.

Robert W. Miller Jacksonville, Florida

I urge the government to fix the real problems that cause people to get this angry. If we eliminate the true violation of our rights, then all we have to fight is right-wing extremist paranoia, and we can save a lot of lives.