Maya Abou Nasr's article "After 10 years in jail, Geagea's supporters demand a full pardon" (April 22)
All militia leaders during the civil war committed horrendous crimes against humanity and completely leveled Christian villages throughout the Chouf, without naming the leaders!
If the majority of these leaders are free, then all those in prison should be released immediately. Not one of those in government should object, for they are just as guilty as Geagea.
A. A. Ina
West Palm Beach, Florida, USA
Johnny Keirouz' article "A decade of innocence has made Geagea a unique figure" (April 22)
"Geagea is the symbol of freedom." Well said. Excellent article.
Paul Haddad
Ottawa, Canada
Letter "LAU journalism students respond to the responders" (April 23)
You missed a crucial point as future journalists. Freedom of speech is always a two-way street. Pick a subject that borders on controversy (especially the hint of religious or gender discrimination), though honest in intent, and you will feel the heat of those who oppose the view.
For example, I recently wrote a long Op/Ed piece published in the Houston Chronicle (online and hard copy) on the benign subject of "Globalization." As always, I authorized the publication of my e-mail address. By noon, I had received over 600 letters from all over the world, most in agreement with my premise, but many vehemently and very passionately opposed to what I had written.
Long ago, I learned "if you cannot stand the heat then you need to stay out of the kitchen" when it comes to writing. After graduating as journalists, you will learn that your biggest obstacle of getting your thoughts published is not freedom of speech itself, but editors with an opposite agenda.
Dick Fowler
Houston, Texas, USA
I don't believe I commented on the original issue before, but I am now because I feel the need to do so. I don't think that the standard and professionalism of the particular LAU students measure up to the standard of the other writers at The Daily Star. I believe that their articles can still be posted, but maybe under a section labeled "amateur writers" or something around that line. It's very obvious from the articles written by LAU students that they are rookies.
I must admit that some of the topics are interesting, because they revolve around sensitive subjects, but I won't go so far as to label those topics as taboos. Also it's fine to write about inter-religious marriages, but the writer had chosen bad words to express her point.
I think it wouldn't have been offensive if the author chose a title with carefully selected words, maybe something like: "Inter-religious marriages, do they work or not?" I'm not a writer, but you should get the drift. Like it or not, the article was offensive and this article "LAU journalism students respond to the responders" fails to prove otherwise. The words "vice versa," or "attending Christian schools," doesn't prove anything in your favor, and I think that if Ghinwa Yateem was truly secular then she wouldn't write what she wrote.George W. Bush decided to go to war and then tried to find evidence to prove he was right about his decision, and for Ghinwa, she had long decided not to marry a Christian and tried to justify her bigoted decision by some silly excuse or experience. Ghinwa, if you're truly secular like you claim, then you wouldn't have given up on the idea so quickly. People with principles stand by them no matter what, but it's clear that being secular is not one of your principles.
Karam Khayr
Miami, Florida, USA
While a bunch of the opinion pieces that are published here are quite nice to read, there are still some pieces that do not meet journalistic standards. I am a media student as well and I think I know what I am talking about. While it is fine to cover a broad range of subjects and give insider views on particular issues to your vast readership, it is not professional to make bold statements without substantiating them. It is also not professional to publish plagiarized material as was the case last month (an article that talked about Arabs and stereotyping). It is also not professional to waste your time on writing joke-like pieces (why the Lebanese suck, etc.) instead of trying to write smarter (funny and smart can go together) things you will be proud to show years from now, when you apply to graduate school or for a job with another newspaper. I would like to give you a thumbs-up for most of your work. The key to being a successful writer, however, is to accept criticism when it is deserved. Professional journalists get attacked constantly for the quality of their writing. I do not think LAU journalism students should be exempt from that. Keep up the good work. P.S. Please refrain from insulting your foreign readership by telling them they do not know what Lebanon is all about. Many of us only have an international address because we left Lebanon for our studies.
Loulia Mahmassani
Austin, Texas, USA
It's good to see that free speech is being promoted in Lebanon, and that you're open to the opinions provided by people living throughout the world. However, in America we've recognized for more than 200 years the dangers of religious intolerance and more recently of ethnic and racial intolerance. I hope that your country will work toward being more open and accepting of inter-faith marriage, just as we've worked over the past 40 years to be more open toward inter-racial marriage. Keep in mind that the strongest human society is the one that can work together. And working together requires the ability to be tolerant of others, who are different than you, and also to value and respect those differences.
Kirk Evenson
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
Jessy Chahine's article "In Lebanese politics, women still have a long way to go" (April 23)
It is a true and harsh reality that women need to work much harder to achieve higher ranks within the realm of Lebanese politics, especially for those with ambitions but no "special" family backgrounds and networks. It is also important to add that although many women do exist in the political scenes of other nations, they, too, have experienced continuous struggles in maintaining and obtaining these positions. We must not forget that Lebanon is a developing country with a lot of future potential. Therefore, we should not lose hope, but rather be determined and persistent to overcome any obstacles or glass ceilings.
Hana Sakkat
Toronto, Canada
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