Dear Vin:
Thank you for responding. As you might imagine, this week’s column touched a nerve among some membes of the Albanian community in this country and in Albania. Except for two or three, the emails border on being hate mail. Yours is impassioned and thoughtful, and I appreciate that.
This week’s column was not meant to suggest that all Albanians are terrorists. In past columns I compared our nation’s war with terrorists with World War II when we fought Germans and Japanese. Not all Germans and Japanese were evil; only those who were trying to kill us. The same is true in this instance. Not all Albanians are terrorists; just those who maintain ties with terrorists, and who try to kill us.
Also, it is gratifying to see the quick response from leaders within the Albanian community in this country who condemned the alleged plans of the Fort Dix Six. The actions of those arrested damaged their families, friends, and community; however, I find it difficult to believe that no one in their families and in their Albanian community knew about their plans. The question becomes then: why did those who knew remain silent?
I appreciate you reading the column and taking the time to respond.
Bumping this thread on Sunday night....wish there would have been more replies