Edward C. Corrigan, 171-Queens Avenue, Suite 506, London. Ontario, N6A 5J7, Canada: Here is an interesting article on “suicide bombings” published in the New York Times (Sept.22, 2003). It notes that Muslims are not the main source of suicide bombers. The article by Robert A. Pape datelined Chicago says suicide terrorism has been on the rise around the world for two decades but there is great confusion as to why. Since many such attacks – including of course those of Sept. 11, 2001 – have been perpetrated by Muslim terrorists professing religious motives, it might seem obvious that Islamic fundamentalism is the central cause. This presumption has fueled the belief that future 9/11’s can be avoided only by a wholesale transformation of Muslim societies, which in turn was a core reason for broad public support of the invasion of Iraq. However, this presumed connection between suicide terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism is wrongheaded, and it may be encouraging domestic and foreign policies that are likely to worsen America’s situation. I have spent a year compiling a database of every suicide bombing and attack around the globe from 1980 to 2001 – 188 in all. It includes any attack in which at least one terrorist killed himself or herself while attempting to kill others, although I excluded attacks authorized by a national government, such as those by North Korea against the South. The data show that there is little connection between suicide terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism or any religion for that matter. In fact, the leading instigator of suicide attacks is the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, a Marxist-Leninist group whose members are from Hindu families but who are adamantly opposed to religion (they have committed 75 of the 188 incidents). Rather what nearly all suicide terrorist campaigns have in common is a specific secular and strategic goal: to compel liberal democracies to withdraw military forces from territory that the terrorists consider to be their homeland. Religion is rarely the root cause although it is often used as a tool by terrorist organizations in recruiting and in other efforts in service of the broader strategic objective.
Mark Weber, Director, Institute of Historical Review, PO Box – 2739, Newport Beach, CA 92659, USA: On Sept.22, I was a guest on the popular Jeff Rense radio show. This was my fourth appearance on the Rense show speaking about Ernst Zundel. Rense show broadcasts are routinely archieved and can be later be heard online through the Rense website. Click on: http://www/ soundwaves2000.com/rense. My recent two-part interview with Kevin Strom, broadcast on the American dissident voice’s series, dealt largely with the Zundel case. The text is posted on the National alliance website, where it can also be heard.
part 1 (Sept.13): http://www.natall.com/adv/2003/09- 13-03.html
part 2 (Sept.20): www.natvan.com.adv/2003/09-20- 03.html.
Ron Harold, USA: While it is commonly reported that Israel officially receives some $3 billion every year in the form of economic aid from the US Govt., this figure is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many billions of dollars more in hidden costs and economic losses lurking beneath the surface. Just published economic analysis says that US support for Israel has cost American taxpayers nearly $ 3 trillion ($3 millions) in 2002. “The costs to American taxpayers of the Israeli Palestinian conflict: $3 trillion”, is a summary of economic research done by Thomas R. Stauffer published in the June 2003 issue of The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. Stauffer is a Washington DC-based engineer and economist who writes and teaches about the economics of energy and the Middle East. Stauffer has taught at Harvard University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. (pobox1429@hotmail.com ).
Dr. Awatar S. Sekhon, Box – 60246, University of Alberta Postal Outlet, Edmonton, AB T6G 2S5, Canada: Sardar Gurtej Singh of Chandigarh says:
“The slave Sikh nation is under grave attack on all fronts by the cunning Brahmin-Bania gang. These fascist Hindus are using the Sikh look-alikes and so- called Sikh characters to pit Sikhs against Muslims. They have earlier used this minion Sunney Deol in many other movies like Gaddar etc. for creating enmity between Sikhs and Muslims. These slaves of their Bollywood Hindu masters will do anything to earn money and be in the good books of their Bharat Mata. I am surprised at the bankruptcy of the Sikhs who pay to get humiliated by the Bollywood (Brahmin autocracy’s movie industry) and who go watch shows of these minions here in diaspora”.
Instead of using a fake beard. Sunny Deol has grown a real one for his formidable Sardarji cop role as Nihal Singh in Pachisia’s Jo Bole So Nihaal where he plays the patriotic rebel cop who exposes hi-tech dreaded terrorist Shah Alam (Kamaal Khan). Deol will also use his Sardarji getup in his home-production Gandhi (nothing to do with the mahatma though).
Prof. P. Justin Antony, Loyola College, Trivandrum – 695 017: Hundreds of languages, numerous religions, very many races, entirely different cultures and finally casteism. These we find to be the results of human minds in our “great Bharat”. In no other country do they practice this casteism. No other land has this meaningless division of humans. We have the largest variety of diversity for which no other country can compete with us. In the name of wealth, colour and birth, there are commonly two divisions: Upper and lower caste. White collars are called the “upper caste” and the other Dalits. But the truth is that the Constitution of India got its life by a “lower caste”, Dr. Ambedkar. The Untouchables, have several grievances:
- Dalits should be recognized and treated as human beings.
(2) Since education is an important instrument for the change of lives, the Dalits by all means should be given free education.
(3) Dalits are made to feel like fish out of water when they approach the authorities for their basic needs.
In every field whether it is science and technology or politics or education, the group which occupies the 1driver’s seat is the upper caste. Our education must enable us to break away from the clutches of casteism and religious superstitions which break our unity. Look at the violence against Dalits. Modern world has become a hotbed of hatred, violence and terrorism. Civilization has not made many people different from brutal animals. The politically upward people divide the downtrodden for their benefits and make them kick and kill. One such form is the senseless killings of innocent Dalits. Anyone who has a gun and who lost the sense of balance takes it into the head that gun must be used against anyone, unmindful of whether the latter is a Dalit or any other low caste. Now-a-days, the hands of hatred and violence are towards the poor people, the Dalits.
Surjit Singh Gill, DDPO (Retd)., Shahid Jasdev Singh Marg, V&PO: Gill, Ludhiana – 141 116: This refers to your request for a Dalit Voice gift subscription to the Library, All-Nadwah College, Nadwah Nagar, Shoolgiri, Hosur Tq. TN – 635 117. (DV Sept.1, 2003 p.18). Please accept my DD for Rs. 250.
P.M. Krishna Rao, H.No. 21-6, Venkatapuram, Trimulgherry, Secunderabad – 500 015: I belong to the Mala community. My father was working at the DBR Mills, Secunderabad, as an oil man on a meagre salary. He could educate me up to V class. My uncle K. Narayan, a graduate and an Ambedkarite, advised my father to continue my studies as the Govt. Social Welfare Dept. was giving free textbooks. I was selected as assistant teacher at a govt. school, Injapur, on 5.9.1953. As I took up a rented house, I started facing caste discrimination. My headmaster hatched a conspiracy to drive me out of the school. He instigated five students of the fifth class to complain to their parents that the new teacher (myself) was beating them. A Muslim employee of the school saved me. I was transferred to Sahebnagar where the sarpanch gave me all sorts of trouble. I lodged a complaint against S. Venkat Rao, the sarpanch, alleging that they were practicing racism against me. Deputy inspector of schools, Secunderabad, Yadaiah and Babu Rao, sub- inspector of police, Sahebnagar, held an inquiry and the sarpanch confessed and tendered apology. Then I collected 150 students including SC/STs who were made to sit beside Hindu students. This was a memorable day (29.11.1953) in my life. This is only the first part of my struggle against Hindu racism, and I have lot more to say.
Haridass, CWC/8 – ONGC Colony, Makarpura Road, Baroda – 390 009: Remember the day when I met you at the Dalit-Muslim conference at Bharuch, Gujarat. I was highly impressed with your view regarding Dalit-Muslim unity which is very much possible as both have a common enemy. However, after the Bharuch meet, I see that we are going in the wrong direction. Our leaders are looking into their own political interests. Kanshi Ram, Mayavati and Ram Vilas Paswan are losing their grip. At present, nobody is capable of handling the situation and we are waiting for another Dr. Ambedkar. I was seen by you as the best follower of Dr. Ambedkar after hearing you and reading your books. Kindly guide us to achieve our goal.
You wanted us to become the leader. But leaders are made by the people. Leaders are not born, they are made. When the oppressed people burn in their hearts and get roasted alive by the oppressors, out of the ashes emerges a true leader. Only such a leader will be long- lasting – EDITOR.
Abhay Dongre, B-5/708 – Ratna Bldg.., ONGC Colony, Sabarmati, Ahmedabad – 380 005: One can see and read the recent news about Kanshi Ram’s illness and how various political parties and their leaders queuing up to visit him and calling him. This shows the power and organisational skills the BSP has built up over the past several years. Can any political party afford to sideline BSP and win without BSP in the forthcoming elections or any other election in future? This clearly shows the equation of politics in India in coming years. The parliamentary form of democracy says that majority should rule, and the majority are Bahujans (the 85% people of India). RPI leaders. Are you listening?
