Disarm both sides of Syrian conflict

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Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Disarm both sides of Syrian conflict

Our concern over the use of nerve gas weaponry on innocent civilians by the Syrian Assad regime has grown, since we are now aware of its lethal potential.

To complicate matters, this killing is a religious-based conflict. It pits Muslim against Muslim, Shiite against Sunni, fighting over theological whimsy and political power.

It is not even related to a democratic philosophy, which we are attempting to initiate. It is a form of autogenocide created by ignorance.

What is sorely needed, then, is to strive to educate people who are largely illiterate to tolerate a slightly different faith system.

We will find a way to disarm both sides of this conflict and halt the brainless killing. Our smart missiles and drones will search and destroy hidden arms caches. Boots on the ground then can mop up.

PETER SARJEANT
BEDFORD

Neither candidate talks of helping people

Re: “Step away from the mud buckets,” Sept. 3 editorial:

As I read this item in The Roanoke Times I could not have agreed more.

Neither of the candidates for governor is qualified for the position. Their campaigns are made up of degrading one another. You do not exalt yourself by putting someone else down.

It can only get worse as we get closer to the November vote. Neither of the candidates has expressed concern for the state of Virginia nor its citizens. The people are looking for someone to help the jobless, the poor and for better medical aid, among many other needs.

If the candidates would show more interest in the needs of the people and less interest in mudslinging, then people would care more about going to the polls in November. We have no one worthy of our vote.

LOLA D. CLIFTON
VINTON

Saturday, September 14, 2013