As various analysts discuss why America is hated in so many foreign corners and how changes in thinking are necessary to change that, we hear far too little from “the others” about what they think they can do to improve relationships.

Americans long have used the term “Judeo-Christian” in regard to their religious and cultural heritage. Members of the Islamic community stress, with good reason, that this needs to be expanded to “Judeo-Christian-Islamic” to more accurately reflect today’s makeup. Good point. Considering the growing numbers of Islamic followers the world over and in the United States, that is a valid point. A broader reference is in order now.

That alone won’t quickly improve the perception of America among those who envy, hate and resent us. But it is a start that needs to be made, and that should be included among a number of other changes in our personal and national philosophies.

But there is a notable change that should come, too, from the Islamics, who so often are mentioned in regard to terror and violence. It is time for Muslim clerics and their law-abiding followers to step forth to forcefully and consistently condemn acts of murder and destruction. In trying to decide what to do, the mullahs need to take into account that while not all Muslims are terrorists and insurgents, the vast majority of murderers and raiders ravaging the Middle East are Muslims. That was the case with the 9-11 tragedies and almost certainly will be the personnel format in any new atrocities.

Events of the past three years in particular have shown us that we have to adopt different attitudes and techniques in dealing with others. We have been lazy, arrogant and aloof for too long. At the same time, if the Islamic forces want to be accepted and respected, their good citizens should begin denouncing murderous activities by their people.

Americans are not the only sources of evil on this globe, even though there are regular efforts to project that image.

The term here should be reciprocity. Uncle Sam and his faithful need to be more open-minded and compassionate about others, but so should the Islamics alter their demeanor in a quest for, at least, detente. Many Americans would feel much better about the need for them to change if the Muslim community was more open in condemning its outlaws and showed it also wants peaceful coexistence.