It is too bad that the people of the US are forced to involve themselves in this war of genecidal reciprocity between Jews and Arabs in the Middle East, a war in which the actions of both sides seem to be dictated by extremist fringes.

Until we in this country find a way to cease our dependence on Middle Eastern oil, we will continue to support Israel as a "stabilizing influence" in the area. I deplore the killing of Daniel Pearl. I think, however, that to use the fact of his Jewishness as a reason for declaring devotion to the cause of Israel in its unlimited conflicts in the area is a grave mistake. Better we should see his murder as symptomatic of the unreasoning rage and hate that holds sway in the middle east, than that we should use it as an excuse to take part in it.