Letters for January 3, 2002

Reader gets through cover story!

Re “Searching for Osama” by Chrisanne Beckner (SN&R Cover, December 20):

I was reading your story “Osama” earlier today, and the amazing thing is that I got through the entire article! It was certainly a lengthy article but there wasn’t any moment during my reading when I was bored. This is probably the first and only article I’ve read completely through concerning terrorism or anything relating to it. In other words, you did one fine job of reporting this Altashi person’s story!

I rarely take the time to praise a reporter for his/her work, but in this case, I just had to. The writing was simple, direct, to the point, and very comprehensive as well. I appreciate that you put a lot of time, effort and careful consideration into the work (including writing).

Terrorism and Middle-Eastern matters are far from my interests, but somehow you amazingly managed to make such dull subjects interesting. Fine reporting, and you bet I’ll read future articles of yours. I’m telling my friends to read this article.

Hieu Tran
via e-mail

That bombing is a blessing in disguise

Re “Searching for Osama” by Chrisanne Beckner (SN&R Cover, December 20):

Without question, Osama Bin Laden and the Taliban are responsible for the Sept 11th attacks on America. Osama relied on the hospitality of the Taliban to execute his acts of terrorism. The Taliban refused to cooperate with the international community and they paid the price. Religion more than politics motivates the terrorism that plagues the Middle East and now America.

Afghanistan is the perfect breeding ground for Islamic fundamentalism. The country is poor, illiterate and tribal, sort of like Yemen, from where your beloved Osama Altashi emigrated. Yemen is a poor country with a slightly higher literacy rate than Afghanistan and a legal system based on Islamic law. Osama Altashi fits the mold for a possible international “sleeper” terrorist.

Osama Altashi knows whether or not he has something to worry about. If he has nothing to worry about he will be set free, a small price to pay for his new country. Many young American men and women are in Afghanistan putting their lives on the line because America called on them just as America has called on Osama Altashi.

The family of Osama Altashi believes he is innocent of any wrongdoing and he may be. The relatives of Mohammad Atta swear that he was just an average Muslim man, not interested in politics; however, he assisted other Muslims in an attack on innocent people on September 11th that claimed 3000 or more lives. An interpretation of his religion motivated Mohammad Atta, not politics.

As for the poor Afghan people being bombed by the US, they have more to be worried about. The people of Afghanistan worry about being executed in soccer stadiums, having their noses and lips cut off by their government for the crime of shaving. Women worry about being beaten for showing their ankles and wonder if their children will ever receive an education.

Because the US bombed the Taliban out of power, the country of Afghanistan can make a new start. Women can show their ankles and face without fear of being beaten.

Frank Tegtmeyer
Sacramento

Customer dis-service

Re “Don’t Bite the Hand that Feeds You” by Joyce Inderkum (SN&R Guest, December 20):

Joyce Inderkum refers to “the extinct adage of ‘the customer is always right’ ” calling it “absurd.”

She’s right about one thing, customer service has become extinct in many places. Proof that businesses are increasingly being run by people who may have an MBA but have no business sense. Old-fashioned business principles, including “the customer is always right” may not be taught at Wharton, but they have a sound basis in reality.

I worked in customer service for a couple of years. Even if the problem was the customer’s own fault, I knew my employer would call me on the carpet if I yelled back or refused to work with them to find a solution. No matter what names we were called, we remained polite to the customer—because “the customer is the person who pays your salary.” The company didn’t have to spend much money on advertising because our customers were satisfied, and one of the compliments they frequently passed on to their friends was that we had excellent customer service.

I don’t think of myself as a diva that “deserves” to be treated a certain way, but as someone who provides a service. And I know that if my customers aren’t happy, there are other people who’ll be very happy to take their business away from me.

Karen M. Campbell
Sacramento