The readers’ forum

Punish perpetrators

Re Trudy Rubin’s Sept. 14 Other Views column, How should U. S. respond?: It was a mistake to try to impose democracy in the Middle East on people who have lived for centuries under war lords and dictators. They have no cultural concepts of freedom of speech or freedom of religion.

The United States should remove its troops immediately, cease meddling in these countries’ internal political affairs and allow these countries to have their own civil wars and political systems. We should neither take sides, nor support or oppose one faction over another.

At the same time, the message should be loud and clear that if American physical interests such as embassies and missions are attacked, then we will spare no effort to hunt down and capture the perpetrators. They should be treated as criminals and given long prison sentences.

Arthur J. Levin, Miami

Read more Letters to the Editor stories from the Miami Herald

The readers’ forum

‘First 48’ exploits victims of crime

Thank you for your recent coverage of the city of Miami Police Chief Manuel Orosa’s decision not to renew a contract with the reality show The First 48. For years the show’s film crew has roamed the streets of Miami’s urban communities searching for victims of homicide to feature on their show.
Spiritual or religious?

Martin Slater’s May 17 letter, Changing beliefs, responding to Myriam Marquez’s May 12 column makes the common mistake of equating religion and spirituality. While religions encourage the development of our spiritual sense, religious dogmas are unnecessary to cultivate one’s own sense of spirituality. Many nonreligious individuals are highly spiritual, keenly in tune with their inner-self and the concept of a creative universal force.
DCF is disgraceful

Re the May 21 article DCF deemed boy safe before he was left in vehicle: It’s unbelievable that the Department of Children & Families would do absolutely nothing about a woman who reportedly was drunk and driving, hitting walls and passing out while her young son was in the car untethered.

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