Us Versus Them

I really don’t think there is a logical connection between Terminalia and, as you state, political boundary lines between Mr. Ellison and Mr. Fine [“The Rituals of Boundaries,” October]. You suggest that Mr. Ellison and Mr. Fine should come together and find some common ground on Louis Farrakhan and his teachings. Some lines need to be drawn, and this is one: There is no room for discussion and compromise with someone who wants to behead every Christian and Jew. (Oh, if we could just sit down with them, try to understand why they hate us, and show them that we mean no harm, they will love us and we can share a feast together.) Terminus, where are you when we need you?
Are you suggesting that Western civilization and the Nation of Islam “celebrate” their common interests? Mr. Bartel, there are no common interests: If so, you would believe that if the Nazis and Jews got together in 1938 to share their common interests, war would have been avoided in Europe.
You have obviously studied ancient history at some point in your education; you might want to study recent historical conflicts and events that are more relevant to today’s conflicts than Terminalia.