Time to let the Middle East be

Michael K. Casler, Las Vegas

Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012 | 2 a.m.

It appears as though many people in the Middle East don’t really mind being ruled by dictators, theocratic and otherwise; don’t mind living like people did a couple centuries ago; and are afraid to speak out against those who have hijacked the Islamic religion. Many also don’t like America or many of the ideals we hold dear. Why do we keep trying to change that?

We live in an electronic age. Let’s reduce our footprint in these areas and do everything we can remotely and electronically. Keep communication lines open but close embassies everywhere we can in this area. Stop providing financial and military aid. Have American policy be that our government recommends against traveling to or doing business in these areas. If Americans choose to do otherwise, as is their right, our government will not come to the rescue when things go bad.

We have tried to encourage change by being involved in these areas, and we are more hated today than ever. It is a cost we can no longer afford. It’s time to let these people be. They can be who they are and we will be who we are. We’ll leave them to their religion, their dictators, their ideology and their beliefs. We will be vigilant, but as long as they leave us be, all will be fine. If not, then we do what we have to do.