Sir, - It is regrettable that the contributions to your newspaper in the aftermath of the September 11th atrocity, which initially comprised sincere outpourings of sympathy for the American people, should subsequently have taken the form of an almost abusive debate between contributors with pro and anti-stances vis-à-vis America's retaliation.
The normally benign Vincent Browne continues to rail against the Americans in this matter. This is not particularly appreciated by people with my background. These critics, because of belonging to a different milieu, are, most likely, not familiar with the phenomenon which was known locally as the "American Letter". This was not simply a letter posted in America, but one from a relative or friend there containing a few dollars which enabled the smallholders in these parts, who were not exactly enjoying a gala standard of living during the Twenties and Thirties, to pull through.
Because of this and, more particularly, because of the sentimental ties engendered by the massive emigration, we cannot stomach the harsh tone of the criticism by many of your contributors on this subject. To put it simply: when Uncle Sam hurts (as he did, grievously, on September 11th) we hurt too and we resent the current censure. - Yours, etc.,
J. DOLAN, Kilmacannon, Newtownforbes, Co Longford.
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Sir, - The ritual-style humiliation now being meted out in Guantanamo Bay to the captured "unlawful combatants" is obscene and over the top. It goes against all the norms of civilisation which the US claims to be defending in its "war against terrorism". It does, however, answer the question which I have been pondering since the evil events of September 11th: why does half the world hate the US with such obvious intensity?
This barbaric and demeaning treatment of human beings by fellow human beings can only be counter-productive and breed further terrorism. Remember internment without trial in Northern Ireland and its after-effects? Osama Bin Laden, wherever he is, must be laughing. - Yours, etc.,
L.G. KILGALLEN, Crosthwaite Park South, Dun Laoghaire.