Readers' corner

---

Click to view caption

Ghost of Stalin

Sir-- In 'War à la carte' ( Al-Ahram Weekly 14-20 August) it must be obvious to readers that Russia can claim to have been injured by a Georgian, Stalin, long before Ossetia became a burning issue. That's not to say that every Georgian is a potential "man of steel". Nor should it serve as an alibi for what Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin et al, through omission or commission, wrought upon their own countrymen. Perhaps it would be interesting to explore the extent to which "Asiatic despotism" still influences the mindset of that region's political class, if at all.

Anyway, excellent article. I learned more from reading it than from all the reportage about the matter currently flooding the mainstream media.

Christian Camacho
Florida
USA

---

Thank you, Bush

Sir-- I just wish to thank G W Bush and his gang for their world leadership ('War à la carte' Al-Ahram Weekly 14-20 August). The whole world is laughing at us, and the sole superpower status of years ago after the collapse of the USSR is no longer considered serious, no matter what blather this administration is putting out, which few listen to.

Russians aren't stupid, and they see the mess we have on our hands in Iraq and know how much the American people are outraged. We don't have the wherewithal or ability to defend our ally, Georgia. And where is the usual membership of the "coalition of the willing" except sitting on their hands and shaking their heads?

Alipac Titan
North Carolina
USA

---

Racist campaign

Sir-- Thank you for publishing James Zogby's courageous article 'An awful shame' ( Al-Ahram Weekly 14-20 August) exposing the anti-Arab/Muslim racism that drove Mazen Asbahi to resign from the Obama campaign.

What is also a shame is that the Obama campaign did not have the fortitude to take a stand for real change by refusing to accept Asbahi's resignation and instead exposing the racists for what they are.

Until individuals, groups, universities, institutions and, yes, even election campaigns for president -- perhaps especially election campaigns for president -- are willing to take a stand against racism each and every time it raises its ugly, bullying head, racism in America will continue to thrive.

Gale Toensing
Connecticut
USA