Readers respond to Question of the Week: What is the meaning of worldwide chaos?

Chaos

When Marx and Engels published their manifesto, an endless collection of deadly sins was released from their Pandora’s Box. In the name of fairness, they created division and destruction, without compassion, that pitted humanity against each other based on race, class, gender and religion. Calling for equal results without merit is a fool’s end. It was false hope that last exited that damned box.

The manifesto was in direct conflict with the world’s best hope, the truths learned by Western civilization: religion, faith and Mosaic Law. It is the creative destruction taken by free-market capitalism that provides real progress and a better standard of living. Rewarding merit is the key to happier people. After the murder, Mangione remained consumed by his Marxist anti-capitalism demons. Daniel Penny said he would happily face one million days in court to save the innocent from murder. These truths speak equally to nations and individuals.

— Stephen Smith, Eagle Rock

Global chaos

Not an accepted answer but I am going with original sin and the deadly sin of pride. These guys all want to be our schoolyard bully. There’s no positive energy to occupy their minds, only negative energy that breeds false pride. I say Trump is smart to say fight your own battles. My plan would be to establish NFL franchises to drain off excess energy. Football is military in formation, plenty of physical combat and territory to conquer. Of course that would probably end up in massacres after the Greens and the Blues of Constantinople. Plan B: “Speak softly and carry a big stick,” as Teddy Roosevelt said. I’m sick of the lot of them, from BLM to Che Guevaras to all the two-bit punks of the world.

— Mary Emily Smiley, Lawndale

Media chaos

Perhaps the question should be “Why is the media so intent on convincing us that it is a chaotic and dangerous world?” The world is no more chaotic or dangerous than it has been in the past. In some ways, it’s much less so; we are just much more aware of what is going on. The media shares responsibility for this as we are exposed to a fire hose of information and misinformation delivered in breathless voices.

— Robert Richards, Long Beach