Gen. Boykin Has His Say About Islam

Re “General’s Comments to Be Investigated,” Oct. 22: Any “investigation” into Army Lt. Gen. William Boykin’s comments with regard to Islam is an obvious sham. What’s to investigate? Boykin clearly made the comments and they are clearly offensive to the Muslim peoples whose hearts and minds we are allegedly trying to win over. Whether an Army general is allowed to make such comments is not relevant. What is relevant is the fact that Boykin serves as deputy undersecretary of Defense. He serves at the pleasure of the president, who is free to fire him for any reason at all. What is Bush waiting for?

Seth Masket

Los Angeles

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Apparently our highly vaunted civil liberties, including free speech, are not meant to apply to Boykin, who has spent a lifetime defending them.

John Elfmont

Torrance

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Boykin’s derogation of Muslims states that the reason why “they” hate us is because we’re a Christian nation. Tell this to the believers of other religions living in the U.S. and the soldiers of many different faiths -- Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and so on -- all serving in the U.S. military.

Saly Nasrat

Anaheim Hills