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     Volume 4 Issue 76 | December 23, 2005 |


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Letters

On Tanvir Mokammel
Tanvir Mokammel (SWM 16th December) observes that the US government did not ban 'Fahrenheit 9/11' - comparing that with our government banning his documentary. Clearly, he is saying the former was a good thing, the latter bad. But what is the logical structure of his argument? Let us present it as an Aristotelian syllogism, complete with premises and conclusion.
Major premise- Whatever the US does is good.
Minor premise- The US promotes freedom of expression.
Conclusion- Therefore, freedom of expression is good.
Many a victim of demagogues will disagree with the conclusion; as for the major premise, a strong note of dissent by Harold Pinter appears on page four. No better refutation of the minor premise comes to mind than that provided by James Zogby of the Arab-American Institute: "When we do focus groups, Americans say, 'I know who the Israelis are, I don't know who Palestinians are.' And they sympathise and identify with the one they know."
Iftekhar Sayeed

Chintito's picture
Whenever I get the Star Weekend Magazine in hand, I start with 'Chintito'. In fact, the way the writer presents his topic before the readers, his subtle sense of humour has made his style of writing amusing and compelling and thus give my journey through the magazine a nice start. Taking the December 9 issue, I did not find 'Chintito'. Thinking that I might miss it someway, I turned over all the pages several times. Being a bit frustrated, I opened the first page to have a look on the index. Yes! 'Chintito' is on page 5. Being mentally prepared to go through it, I found on page 5, to my utter astonishment, the picture of the writer of 'Chintito', sitting before his PC! He was looking so 'Chintito' about replacing his old PC! As a matter of fact, it was an advertisement. The writer did not contribute to the last issue, but he did not deprive his readers of the amusement he gives in his regular contribution. I guess he did not want to miss having fun with his readers. He let an advertisement to be published on his page and that too with the picture of a person deeply 'Chintito' about something! That was indeed a good one!
Ferdous
Motijheel, Dhaka

V-day at a time of darkness
December, is the month that reminds the Bangalis about their glory of the war and the eventual victory. The victory that we achieved on December 16 led us to the historical birth of an independent Bangladesh. However, the freedom struggle caused the death of three million people and brought on untold ordeal to two hundred thousand women at the filthy hands of the occupation army.
The nation celebrated the day in a grim mood this year as we are gripped by fear of the dark forces, the religious extremism and its heinous bomb attacks that have already claimed many lives and enveloped the nation in constant fear of murder and mayhem. The nation is passing by its second most dangerous phase after 1971. Religious extremists like the JMB members are not only threatening the sovereignty of the nation but also devouring its glorious culture and heritage of peace, amity and the harmony of coexistence. They are out there to efface all the glorious acomplishments of Bangali people and the nation.
One doesn't need much wisdom to understand the fact that there hasn't been a single act of bringing the arrested criminals before justice yet. At this lugubrious point of time experts are of the view that people from all walks of life be united to fight the dark forces. There is, however, no doubt that evil will not come out successful, we fought them in 1971 and are ready to do the same any time it's called for. "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty".
Rafiqul Islam Rime
Agrabad, Chittagong

A reader's appreciation
It gives me pleasure to inform you that I am an avid reader of The Daily Star and its Star Weekend Magazine. I always make it a point to read the magazine cover to cover every week. Its worth a mention that I thoroughly enjoyed last week's cover 'Art Post-Independence' and found it quite different as compared to many of the other publications covering the Victory Day of Bangladesh.
Mohammad Anwaruzzaman
Comilla

On 'A living nightmare'
'A living nightmare' by Elita Karim published recently in the magazine was an excellent read. I would like to encourage the writer to update further on Saptarishi's condition.
It's a fact that nobody can take her mother's place, however, a little girl like Saptarishi needs proper care and affection from someone, just like all other little girls her age. I would also like to request the two families in question not to take any step, which will further demolish Saptarishi's life.
Shetur
Dept. of Political Science
Dhaka University


Submission Guideline:
Letters to the Editor, Dhaka Diary and Write to Mita, with the writer's name and address, should be within 200 words. All articles should be within 1,200 words. A cover letter is not necessary, but every write-up should include the writer's name, phone number and email address (if any). While SWM welcomes unsolicited articles and photographs, it cannot accept the responsibility of their loss or damage. SWM does not return unsolicited articles and photos. Response time for unsolicited write-ups range from three weeks to two months. All articles submitted are subject to editing for reasons of space and clarity.
All materials should be sent to: Star Weekend Magazine, 19 Karwan Bazar, Dhaka-1215, Fax: 880-2-8125155 or emailed to: <[email protected]>
It is recommended that those submitting work for the first time to the SWM take a look at the sample copy beforehand. Our website is: http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine

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