Polk Dillon’s letter “Fear Isn’t Always a Case of Bigotry” (Oct. 31) seems to be well reasoned, but it ignores some fundamental facts.

Dillon states, “Knowing that the people piloting the planes on 9/11 were Middle Eastern Muslims, you would have to be brain-dead not to consider that someone getting on your plane with a Middle Eastern appearance might be planning a similar action.” Ignoring the obvious flaw in logic inherent in this reasoning (there is no reason to worry about Muslims just because other Muslims have committed acts of terrorism, just as there is no reason to worry about white people just because other white people have committed acts of terrorism), it doesn’t make sense when one considers that the 9/11 hijackers were dressed in normal American attire, so as to fit in. The same is true of many other would-be terrorists who have attempted attacks on American soil in the past nine years.

So, arguments about bigotry aside, being worried about people who dress in more traditional Muslim attire really reflects a lack of understanding of an issue. Moreover, I’m afraid that this very much is a case of bigotry. Assuming that someone has ill-intent based on nothing more than their race, ethnicity or what religion they appear to be is the definition of bigotry.

Blindly accusing the media of being liberal while ignoring the issue does not change this definition.

On a final note, I’d appreciate it if people would stop using the pronoun “we” in such articles. I don’t assume how you think; quit assuming how I think. And just because I disagree with you does not make me “brain-dead.”

David Pferdekamper

Lakeview