Reader addresses Middle East crisis

My mother said, "It takes two to fight." She didn't understand it takes only one bully to start a fight, or just kill another person. A bully lacks the moral obligation to treat other people with respect.

Most religions teach that our Creator is like a loving father, holds people accountable for their actions in this life, and expects people to respect the rights of all people. Any "religion" that teaches hatred and killing of other people from birth lacks basic morality, and acts as a bully!

While I practice using intelligence, compassion, and respect in dealing with others, I learned that a bully only respects brute force. If it is obvious a person is more than capable of self-defense, and has the reputation that defensive force shall be used if necessary; then the bully will back off, or be taught respect!

The different "religions" of the Middle East have been at war for centuries! The United States has been involved in Middle East wars since the 1780's! The current administration does not have a coherent or intelligent foreign policy. It has demonstrated it does not understand that our country's safety exists only if other countries know we have the right, full capability and determination to protect our peace and safety!

The above is not the position of a "hawk," but of a well-armed "dove"! If the problems in the Middle East are not resolved, the result may soon be nuclear World War Three! Any perceived weakness, or lack of determination, just escalates the current problems. The "War on Terrorism" is not over. It may soon be fought in North America, if we withdraw from the Middle East! This war shall not end until our rights are fully respected! We can't "magically" claim it has ended!

Thomas Fancher

Moses Lake