Views in brief

Obama's refreshing rhetoric

AFTER A scathing article in which Deepa Kumar points out blow for blow how Obama's policies are designed to further the goals of American imperialism ("Looking beyond the symbolism"), Paul D'Amato criticizes her for acknowledging that it is better to have President Obama rhetorically rejecting President Bush's vilification of Islam than continuing the racist campaign of Islamophobia that has served as the organizing principle (or at least the justification) of the whole "war on terror" ("A side-step in Cairo").

I find this strange. Of course, as socialists, we put no faith in Obama's foreign policy, but why shouldn't we seize the opportunity to use Obama's words praising the cultural and historical contributions of the Arab world and rejecting the racist scapegoating of Islam as a jumping off point to further our own aims? Isn't it better, "a step forward," to have a president who at least rhetorically rejects racism than one who fans the flames?
Todd Chretien, Oakland, Calif.

The bravery of Palestinians

I WANT to thank Laura Durkay for her very inspiring and touching piece "The ruins of Gaza."

It's hard to admit that reading about the horrendous atrocities that are committed against the Palestinians day in and day out can make one feel numb. The cruelest aspect of capitalism is that it can normalize the unbearable. Living under constant fear, brutality, and hatred is a nightmare I cannot possibly begin to understand.

What is remarkable is how the oppressed can maintain their dignity. The kindness and generosity that Durkay and her peers experienced despite the horror and hardship brings to light the bravery of the Palestinian people. The cowardice of the Israel Defense Force is also brought to light. Even with their massive killing machine (the fourth most powerful military in the world), they still fear the resistance of the Palestinian people.

We, in the United States, must continue to build a movement that will stop imperialism in the Middle East. When we defend the Palestinian people we will win dignity for ourselves.
Alessandro Tinonga, Oakland, Calif.

A different view of Palestinians

REGARDING "THE ruins of Gaza": This was touching and beyond sadness. It is a very different view from what the media normally paints: the Palestinians as a bunch of crazed terrorists and jihadists out to crush Israel and destroy Western democracy.

I can't imagine Americans or Europeans acting hospitability toward anyone, especially Americans and Jews, had we endured similar atrocities. As usual, thank you to SocialistWorker.org for providing another and more sympathetic view of the world to which we ordinary folks hardly have access.
M.B., Chicago

What's next in Iran?

ALTHOUGH THERE has not yet been the emergence of a revolutionary party specifically espousing the overthrow of the Iranian Islamist state, nor several other indicators of a potentially successful revolution, recent events certainly make me hopeful that we'll see an independent, democratic state (albeit probably bourgeois) in the Middle East.

I think for this next stage in Iran to really get underway, the reform movement in Iran will need to move past Mousavi, who, despite his reformist leanings, fully supports the current ruling class. Thankfully, it seems like that might actually happen, but the movement from below will need to organize itself into a revolutionary party to successfully build an alternative to the current system in Iran.
Chance Lunning, Minneapolis