The fear factor is there, and it’s real

Re “How scared should we be, really?” Current, Feb. 4

Francis Fukuyama uses data that seem selected to support his untenable conclusions. The global economy, he said, is “driving ahead full speed.” Presumably this is based on each nation’s gross domestic product, which indicates how much is spent each year but has almost nothing to do with the health of a nation’s economy.

As a species, we are consuming the Earth’s resources and upsetting the ecosystem much faster than nature can rectify the damage we inflict. Fukuyama writes, “The United States remains a rich and powerful country, with plenty of margin to absorb setbacks and make up for mistakes.” Hardly so. We are, in fact, a major outlaw nation and will spend much of the rest of the century making up for mistakes, if, indeed, we even make the effort.

ROBERT SOLLEN

Carpinteria

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Fukuyama lists the bombings of London, Madrid, Istanbul and Bali in his article. However, he fails to mention the bombings in Mumbai on July 11, 2006. Considering that he has mentioned India’s annual economic growth rate of 9% and that Mumbai is the nerve center of the Indian economy, I find that a glaring omission. Are we to suppose that the deaths or injuring of hundreds of Indians does not warrant a mention?

SWATI DESHPANDE

San Diego

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I fear that Fukuyama overlooks the very real, very serious danger to the United States: terrorism’s effect on the liberty and constitutional rights of the American citizen. The Bush administration and a compliant Congress have made serious inroads to curbing our personal freedoms and right to privacy, contending that what they are doing is necessary to protect us from terrorism.

Fukuyama is correct: The terrorists are weak. But the fear they generate and the secrecy of their operations, two features that the administration uses to great advantage, are resulting in the erosion of our basic freedoms. Yes, we have choices, and we should take great care in how we respond to the threats of terrorism. At this point, it appears the terrorists may be winning.

THOMAS W. MCCARTHY

Chino Hills

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Fukuyama got the end of history wrong. Then he got the Iraq war wrong (way wrong!). I have heard no mea culpas or apologies. Why in the world would you think we should pay any attention to anything he has to say now?

JAMES W. TAYLOR

San Clemente