The Temptress at Barnes & Noble Hello Ms. Rizvi,

I just ran accross your article and, I must say, I was really impressed. It seems as though you have quite a grasp of literature, it will get you far in your education and your career. You will take DC by storm, and your mind and pen will be your weapons.

I want to add a couple of thoughts to the current discussion. First and foremost, after listening to Clinton`s speech explaining the bombings last week, one good thing did come out of his speech. He did dedicate a part of the speech to address muslims, and reminded his audience that Bin Laden`s actions do not accurately represent the views of all Muslims. He also was quick to point out that the `great religion of Islam` (as he put it) does not condone violent actions against innocent people.

Although this forum isnt an appropriate place to discuss the pro and cons, rights and wrongs of his actions, I think it is necessary to point out that a president (a philandering president, but indeed the president) of the United States of America (unarguable the most powerful man in the world) did recognize Muslims and Islam in a nationally televised speech. Has this ever happened? Did George Bush or Ronald Reagen specifically mention anything about Islam or Muslims when Libya was bombed, or Iraq was pummeled? NO.

The fact that this happend, shows how much progress Muslims have made in American politics within the last decade. Kudos to organizations such as the AMA to further Muslims in politics. If it wasnt for there effort, we would still be stuck in 1980 (remember the hostage crisis and how muslims were portrayed? ). They have made noise up in capital hill, enough to have there concerns of the people they are representing answered in a nationally televised speech by the president.

BUT (yes there has to be a BUT) Muslims have a LONG ways to go in order to have an elected Representative in congress and to have there say in the passing and creation of laws. Zehra and the rest of you political science freakos (loving term), continue to work hard in your studies and your career. Dont let any kind of negative responses from other people hold you back. I think our generation can get far, further then what we are now. At the same time I think teaching our kids is also necessary. We cant let them all do medicine or engineering. I think its part of your guys`s jobs as muslims in politics, to pass your beliefs on to your kids. We do what we can now, because we are young, I think our actions will be an example of generations to come.

NOW.. sorry to make this reply long and winding.. the subject at hand. Bookstores. I am an avid visitor of Barnes and Nobles and about every other book store ( I think used bookstores have been lost in the shuffle here, I find as though they have a great deal of appeal too, especially for starving students such as myself :) ). Nothing can calm the nerves like spending a full day at a bookstore sitting on the sofa and having a pile of books and magazines on hand right next to you. Well a cup of mocha is nice also, but our Barnes and Nobles does not allow eating or drinking inside, what a jip. Actually, listening to Dvorak at the same time finishes off the scene.

But my question is.. Why differentiate between a large chain bookstore and a small locally owned bookstore? A book is a book, contains many pages of words put together in such a way to appeal to the person who creaks open the covers. Does it matter what the words are about? Personally, I dont think thers a difference betwen Socrates and Peter Straub, between a book on Sufism and a book on Judaism. The reason Im saying this is because books are meant to please the readers, to expand there mind. I dont think it matters if Barnes and Nobles does not have outdated and rare books, I dont think it is selling out by going to one. A book is a book.

Oh before I sign off, hows this for an idea. Since we are having 2 seperate discussions about Politics and Bookstores, how about we all get together and start a book store chain in pakistan. What better to stop violence then opening a bookstore for people to go in there spare time. hell.. maybe we can even open a tikka stand right next to it. How does this sound? I noticed that karachi lacks good book stores to sit and read in. Im not saying that people are gonna go in to the bookstore, stay for a few hours and then suddenly throw away there pistols and hug there neighbors and form a ``hands accross pakistan`` line. (Although that would be nice, although a bit comical). But its an idea. How about it you guys?

Ill be looking forward to replies. Once again, terrific paper Zehra.

Khuda hafez

Nuclear Bomb for Sale A thoughtful article indeed, from someone who deems himself to be quite a thoughtful person. I just wonder how you, Professor, would define progress. Years ago, in Islamabad, I followed a letter writing campaign of yours being carried in a local newspaper in which you were blasting a foreign trained doctor for protesting about her daughter being able to cover her head in school, in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. You stated that it was individuals such as this who were plunging our country into `darkness`. Now, years later, as we flex our scientific prowess to the world, you think that this is a backwards step as well. I would love for you to enlighten us as to what the way forward is.

Sex Everywhere These stories take a stab at the self-righteous skin of our society and give a glimpse of the hypocrisy which exists underneath. We should try to distinguish two separate cases here...forced and consentual sex. Every society has its fair share of men who will not think twice before forcing themselves on someone as long as they can get away with it. And in our own society, more often than not, they can. One of the replies asked for a prescription...the article was not about solutions but was to make us look at a problem in our society we rather not address...one prescription is to take steps to make sure these people cannot get away. Consentual sex will continue to go on whether we like it or not...it is a natural instinct and it is probably better to accept it and be more open to it than to cry about it.