Mr. Hume, I agree, Americans do have a dog in this fight, and it is absolutely imperative that this debate take place. It is long overdue.

Bin Laden said that the oppression of the Palestinians by Israel was a cause motivating his terrorist attacks. It probably was not true, but the point is, he thought he could get brownie points in the Muslim world by saying it. Clearly much of the anti-American sentiment in the middle east has to do with American foreign policy in the region, and in particular, America's support for Israeli policies with respect to the Palestinians.

Jimmy Carter is a great humanitarian, and the suggestion that he is anti anyone for their membership in a religious group is simply contemptable.