Columnist fails to realize importance of dialogue

How sad it was to see in print the bitter diatribe written by Diana West and printed in the April 22 issue of The Newton Kansan.

She reports she was sickened by the activity of former President Jimmy Carter who takes seriously the words of the One who said, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you.” Does she wish Carter would follow those who say “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”?

Isn’t it right to dialogue with the duly elected leader of a people? Isn’t it good to seek to find the path to peace each side can agree too? This is what President Carter is committed to.

Does Ms. West rejoice that our present administration has not put much effort into bringing peace to the middle east? The longer peace is delayed the more land the Israeli government will steal from the Palestinians.

Israel has ignored the previously negotiated agreements for they have continued to build homes on Palestinian land, and they are erecting a 30-foot-high wall that is the most crooked one can devise so they can create “facts” of ownership when they next find it expedient to again enter into dialogue with the Palestinians.

If Ms. West were a Palestinian whose property had been confiscated and home destroyed, I have no doubts the tone of her letter would be just the opposite of what she has written.

— David L. Habegger

Newton