he was a nice guy
Reader comment on item: But he was good to his mother: Murdering for militant Islam

Submitted by mark jacobs md (United States), Dec 3, 2003 at 18:56

Mr. Pipes,

I've long enjoyed your editorials and respect your knowledge of the middle east. However, I must say that today's article misses the point that virtually every villain in history was nice to someone. The comment - "but he was a nice guy" - is not unique to Muslim extremists. In news reels, Hitler can be seen pinching the cheeks of little children. A well know Texas mass murderer, Dean Corl, was apparently well liked by his neighbors. They were shocked that their quiet, polite, and friendly neighbor had sexually molested, murdered, and buried about twenty young boys. How many Mafia Dons have been generous with donations at their Church or even supported local charities and causes? How many killers sitting on death row are still somehow supported by family members and friends who remember them apart from the heinous crime they committed? It's not an issue particular to terrorists.

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