Syrian apologist performs disservice to Lebanon

Syrian apologist performs disservice to Lebanon
EDITOR:
"Danger in Pushing Syria Out of Lebanon" on Wednesday's How They See It page by former CIA analyst Margaret Kessler, totally misses the mark.
Syrian apologists like Kessler have dominated the CIA and State Department for decades. To them, the Syrian occupation is a "presence," the Syrian invasion a "troop movement," the Lebanese resistance against Syria a "civil war," and Syria's destruction of Lebanon's once-pluralistic and free democracy "stability." It is common knowledge that the Assad regime considers Lebanon a Syrian province, yet Kessler deceives your readers by portraying its near-annexation of Lebanon "reluctant" and somehow benevolent.
Lebanese patriot Michel Aoun described the true nature of Syrian treachery in Lebanon last year when he said in testimony before Congress that Syria is "both arsonist and firefighter. Syria starts fires in order to give itself a pretext to extinguish them and thus justify its continuing occupation of Lebanon." Aoun -- exiled like all who speak the truth about the occupation -- was sentenced by Syria to 15 years of hard labor for this testimony.
The "intertwined history" of Syria and Lebanon suggested by Kessler is a self-serving invention of the Syrian Baathists. The truth is, Lebanon has a proud history of constitutional democracy, and Syria has a regrettable history of dictatorial repression. But in spite of Syria's attacks, Lebanon retains the foundations of democracy, and democracy will flourish again when the Syrians leave.
And contrary to Kessler's claim, the Lebanese will accept no one -- neither Syrian, French, nor Americans -- as their overlords.
Kessler and her comrades encouraged the spread of Syrian-sponsored terrorism throughout Lebanon and the Middle East, and have thereby caused the deaths of countless Americans. We can only hope that most of her ilk have, like her, retired and can thus inflict no more damage to U.S. national security.
EDWARD T. SAADI
Youngstown
X The writer, a local attorney, is vice president of the Lebanese-American Council for Democracy, a national organization with offices in Washington, D.C.
Yes, the way is narrow
EDITOR:
A recent editorial on Issue 1, the Defense of Marriage Amendment, stated that "a narrow concept of what is appropriate behavior by individuals or what relationships the state's courts or individuals choose to recognize should not be inscribed in the Constitution."
As a Christian, I am both commanded and compelled to interpret appropriate behavior very narrowly. The Word of God says to us that "the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who fined it."
You seem to imply that Bishop Tobin's statement concerning God's designation of marriage is a weak believe because it is not universally accepted by all religions and faiths. Again, "the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it."
True Christianity will never wait on the majority before taking a stand on the truth.
You go on to say that "our society is a work in progress" and "that the issue of same sex marriage is a complicated one." Are you saying that as our society progresses we might some day arrive at the truth? Perhaps that same societal "progress" is what brought us to the point of legalizing murder of the unborn.
Jesus said, "My Father's Word is truth." We will never arrive at truth on our own; it has already been given to us in God's Word, the Bible.
It is particularly appalling that you justify your opinion based on how passage of the issue might affect the economy of the Valley since it might frighten potential new businesses which advocate diversity. What is the eternal value of progressing financial, when the trade off is to digress morally? I choose to have a narrow concept of what is appropriate behavior.
It is an honor to be considered "narrow minded" when my values have been shaped by the Word of God.
The Rev. FRED A. MAYHEW
Youngstown
X The writer is pastor of Trinity Fellowship.