Politics more important that common religious beliefs Re:”9/11 services show liberal politicizing of memorials,” Sept. 9
Granted, the clergy taking part in the 9/11 memorial service at the National Cathedral could have been more proportionally representative of the other Christian denominations, but there was only one rabbi for four major denominations of Jews and only one imam for both Sunnites and Shi’ites.
The sad fact that stands out is that although they all pray for unity, Christians today do not feel represented by other Christians at a worship service, and political affiliation is more important to many than their common Christianity.
For the record, the Church of England is one (and by no means the largest) of 44 regional and national churches that comprise the Anglican Communion; they are not synonymous, as implied by Ken Klukowski.
Gilbert Adams
Washington
Freedom-loving Americans are cautious, not afraid
Re: “America changed in a day,” Sept. 8
Michael Barone portrays fear as America’s post-9/11 legacy, but the evidence doesn’t support his claim.
Barone draws an analogy between America’s gallant response to Pearl Harbor and the invasion of privacy and decrease in civil liberties after Sept. 1, 2001.
However, to win World War II, America rationed food, gas and other supplies, enforced blackouts and curfews, and drafted all able-bodied men. Such rigid conditions, which we are fortunate to escape today, were recognized as necessary to win the war.
But what freedom-loving Americans are not willing to do is “endure seemingly pointless security measures with nothing more than a few murmurs of complaints,” as Barone states. After the extreme public outcry against “naked body scanners” and, in my case, a boycott of the airline industry, The Transportation Security Administration is phasing out the invasive scans.
Other security measures implemented after 9/11 are just common sense. Barone cites enhanced security at private companies, including those building technology for the government. But checking people’s IDs before they access classified information sounds like a good, patriotic defense strategy — not fear.
Jordan J. Estrada
Alexandria
Solyndra officers’ assets should be frozen
Re: “Feds investigate solar firm that got $535m U.S. loan,” Sept. 8
If proven, this swindle is criminality at its pinnacle and demands immediate action by freezing any and all of the Solyndra executives’ assets including, but not limited to, private residences, automobiles, bank accounts, etc., as well as disbursements made to the firm’s employees and its subcontractors.
The full investigative powers of the federal government should be used to determine where the money flowed and whether any laws were broken.
Bernard Helinski
Baltimore
