Europe Too Soft on Terrorism?

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As a military officer and national security specialist, I see first-hand that the US is the world leader in the fight against Islamic terrorism. Calls for understanding and tolerance of Islamic extremists from weak European states, whose moral compass and sense of determination has been gutted by failed dictators, defeat in war, and years of multiculturalism and socialist rhetoric, only serve to highlight their fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of the enemy and war we face. To their echoing of Pontius Pilate's relativist assertion that "there is no truth," America answers that there is truth...and we are prepared to fight for it. -- J.C. Goff

Ambassador Timken is correct when he states that European leadership must be better prepared to deal with the menace of international terrorism. Greater multilateral contributions can and must be made by the Europeans in Afghanistan and Iraq, as the future of western civilization depends on strong international cooperation in fighting terrorists and nation-states that overtly and covertly sponsor terrorism. The time for getting their heads out of the sand has long past, and action is needed now, in the form of more European troops in Afghanistan, and greater EU civil aid contributions and investment for Iraq and Afghanistan. -- Scott Von

William Timken's believes Europe's stance on terrorism is not strong enough

Europe is soft on terrorism. The terrorists and the terrorist nations cannot be persuaded to reason by endless talk. They will respect only one thing, namely force. We delivered Europe from Nazism and Communism. Now it appears that we Americans have to deliver them from Islamism. -- Chacko Pulparampil, USA.

After events in Madrid and London, I think that Europeans are aware of the danger of terrorist attacks. The US itself could take additional steps that do not inhibit civil liberties. For example, more coordination and support could be established for emergency services. Any measure against terrorism must be made within the limits of international law and basic human dignity, and must be made without significant restrictions on liberty. I imagine the CIA does some very important work. However, I have found news of secret prisons, domestic wire taps, and various other domestic/international policies of our current administration to be disturbing. -- John Nelzen, Kansas, USA

The founding fathers of the United States would surely condemn a representative of the United States for espousing abandonment of the constitution. But Timken is just a token industrialist pawn of (US President George W.) Bush and his policies of personal enrichment and sanctioned state terror...We should pay him no mind. -- Jim Bartee, New Zealand

Ambassador Timken fails to take into consideration Europe's much deeper and much older experience and knowledge of terrorism. Mr. Timken reflects the kind of American politicians who rise not by cultural and historical knowledge but by naked capitalism and whose solipsistic views reduce the world to a shallow black and white. As an American, I stand with Europe in this instance. Mr. Timken has a lot to learn. -- Todd Myhill

As Ben Franklin said, "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." So much for Timken's claim that we Americans should get used to losing some liberties. -- R. Arnold

Homosexuality

Benedict XVI has taken a hard-line stance against homosexuality

The media and people always talk about the pope's views on homosexuality. It does not really matter what the pope's personal views are. What matters is the teaching of the Catholic Church. The church does not condemn the individual person who is homosexual or lesbian, and neither should any of us. The church only condemns the act of this particular lifestyle. The Catholic Church has taught from the beginning that the homosexual act is wrong, based on the writings of the Old Testament. This teaching cannot be changed. -- Doris Barrett, London, Ontario, Canada

I am astounded that the primary representative of the Roman Catholic Church continues to debase the homosexual condition six years into the 21st century. The head of the Roman Catholic Church had denounced Canada's legalization of homosexual marriage to a group of his bishops visiting from their home in Ontario. Perhaps Benedict is just continuing the church's attempts to distance itself from its child molesters (often confused with homosexuals). However, I am very familiar with the priests of the church and have personally known many who are active homosexuals. Benedict and his followers are simply hypocrites. -- Leon Van Dyke

Pope's visit

The pope's visit to Germany has caused both joy and controversy

The pope's visit to Germany was primarily a call to all of Europe to return to its Christian roots. His appeal was to both a renewed faith and tough-minded reason. His lecture at Regensburg University included an invitation for engaging in dialog with Muslims other religionists and secularists. The early Christian church did not shrink from engagement with those intellectuals who represented the opposing views of Roman and Greek societies. Neither does the church of our time. -- Reverend Denis C. Gray, Lutheran pastor emeritus

On a brief visit from England to Munich to visit our son, we were lucky to be able to attend the mass. Even to us who don't understand German, Pope Benedict radiated warmth kindness and understanding. He's a real father figure. His strength is a great encouragement in our faith. It was a wonderful occasion. -- Mary Eke

You are lucky to have a kind loving man just visiting Munich, the land of my ancestors. I envy you. But, my blessing goes to all of you. My hope is to see him here in California. -- Lily Weidlich