Last week Janice Summers wrote an interesting letter criticizing Mr. Carter’s defense of the Muslim religion. She feels that all Muslims “...want us dead if we don’t accept their beliefs.” These are her words.

It is highly unusual that this level of ignorance slithers from its lair and presents its lesion-covered face.

In the fighter world we have a saying for wingmen (new pilots) with little personal experience with or knowledge of their new environment: “Never pass up the opportunity to keep your mouth shut.”

It is obvious that Janice is in a very confused moral and intellectual position. If ALL Muslims “want us dead,” why in God’s name are we training them in combat and arming them in Iraq and Afghanistan?

We are training their military in the art of war and law enforcement. We have sold Turkey, Pakistan, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia premier military aircraft: F-16s, F-18s, and E-3 Sentries. Why is this President arming and training people who “want us dead”?

As an instructor pilot I have trained Muslim pilots from Kuwait, Turkey, and Pakistan. They have been gentlemen, fathers, husbands, and in the case of Kuwaiti Major Talal Al Shamari, friend. They love their families and want a safer world for us all, a world free from extremists of every stripe.

Janice, if you had never written that letter, no one would have known how clueless you are about the world within which we are but a small fraction.

Muslims are our neighbors. They are business owners. They are friends and family. Many are born and raised right here in the USA.

Please take the opportunity to meet and know them that you might gain credibility and experience for your commentary.

There is much Mr. Carter could teach you, if you might only listen to what he says through nonpartisan ears.

Kevin King
Peachtree City, Ga.

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