D.C. residents should demand a voice in their government Re: “A million expected to march in Cairo,” Feb. 1
Less than one month after stripping the District’s congresswomen of her right to vote, our erstwhile leaders are all over the airwaves and print media supporting the people of Egypt in their quest to secure a participatory government. Forgive me for not joining this bandwagon.
The regimes of Gamal Abdel Nasser, Anwar al-Sadat and Muhammad Hosni Mubarak were all solidly pro-American, sometimes to a fault. We should not interfere with the “revolution” occurring in Egypt, just as we have stayed out of the most recent crisis in southern Sudan after a peaceful election resulted in the people’s decision to secede and create their own country.
I applaud the citizens of Egypt for putting into action what we here in the District have, for whatever reason, proved incapable or unwilling to do. I ask the president and members of both houses of Congress to do the right thing with respect to full democracy for the citizens of our nation’s capital.
The world is watching.
Marvin E. Adams
Washington
U.S. should pick a foreign policy and stick with it
Re: “U.S. officials hoping Mubarak skips re-election bid,” Feb. 1
With the rioting in Cairo, America’s foreign policy, particularly in Arab nations, is in disarray. We have vacillated between support of democratic governments and allegiance to our allies in that area, no matter how repressive their governments have been.
Now is the time to define our position vis-a-vis democracy in that area of the world. The only problem is what such a policy will produce. Will it end up with a friendly ally or a government virulently opposed to the U.S., perhaps even a radical Islamic entity?
At this juncture nobody knows, but the odds are that we shall find many governments in the region less friendly to us than before.
Nelson Marans
Silver Spring
Bible affirms governor’s ‘politically incorrect’ statement
Re: “Robert Bentley,” Newsmakers, Jan. 20
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has the same First Amendment freedoms of speech and religion as everyone else. His Biblical reference disavowing fellowship with non-Christians was said in an ecclesiastical setting.
The Christian religion is itself exclusive. The Bible records that even Jesus Christ said that not everyone saying “Lord, Lord” to Him would inherit the kingdom of God, just those who did the will of God.
These Bible verses may be considered politically incorrect in the eyes of men, but they are true to the word of God.
Right on, Brother Bentley!
Lawrence K. Marsh
Gaithersburg
