To the editor:

Islamic radicals and the battered wife syndrome.

“What have I done to make him so angry?” “It must be my fault.” This litany is the bane of every social worker, psychologist and judiciary person involved with a battered wife who continues to return to her abusive husband. How is it any different from the world’s reaction to the continued abuse (physical battery) by radical Moslems? It is our fault they are that way. We know because they tell us so.

Perhaps, rather than engage the radicals in anything other than the “war” they have declared, we should engage and empower moderates in discussion and cooperation in controlling their radicals.

All the acts and actions taken by radical Islam are designed solely to intimidate and impose their view of the world on others. These are not people open to discussion or change. You do it their way or die. It is not religion. It is psychotic behavior justified in the name of a religion (and Islam is not the only religion to have had such a phase). Why do so many criminals, both in jail and out join the “movements?” How religious can a movement be when thugs, murderers and drug lords join in common cause?

Engage with moderates. Talk, listen and learn – both of you. Do not waste time on the psychotics. They will not, indeed they can not, hear anything but their own voice and drumbeat.

Robert McColl,

Lawrence