Re: A tale of two miseries: Palestinians, Israelis, and America's shameful neglect, March 28.
For his reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with impartiality, Gary Kamiya ought to be complimented. His keen eye as a compassionate, insightful observer sees with admirable sensitivity the misery of the Calandia checkpoint as well as the horrific footprints of the suicide bombings. Beyond that, however, his attempt to expose the root cause of the conflict begs to be re-examined.
The first glaring inaccuracy is Kamiya's assertion that Israel rules the Palestinians. A rule would imply the control of all governmental and judicial systems, and that has never been the case.
Next, to describe the suffering of the Palestinians, it would suffice to say that their tragic plight is the result of a deliberate, wanton neglect with which Muslims treat their Arab brethren. With their enormous wealth in money and resources, the 1.2-billion Muslims, for over half a century, let the Palestinians live in abject poverty. Contrast that with what the support of 12-million Jews strewn all over the world did for Israel.
Then there is putting the onus for the two miseries on Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, though to do so is to overlook the fact that he had been elected to protect his country from all enemies. Indeed, on close examination, in the face of daily deadly provocations, Sharon the hawk, with his fingers on the most awesome arsenal in the Middle East, has so far shown a remarkable restraint toward all the enemies of Israel. Those who blame the United States for somehow being unwilling to stand up to Sharon forget that all previous Israeli leaders - even the moderate Shimon Peres, with the help of several U.S. administrations - were unable to achieve peace with the Palestinians.
About the timid efforts of the so-called Palestinian moderates, the best that can be said is that they are abysmally ineffectual. The veteran Palestinian lawmaker Hanan Ashrawi tries, but her occasional meek and subdued pleas for moderation are drowned out by those inside and outside the Palestinian territory who want nothing less than total annihilation of Israel.
-- Jerry Rawicki, Seminole
Keen insight
Re: A tale of two miseries.
Gary Kamiya's column in Perspective was so perfect and "right on" that I recommend reading it to everyone interested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its significance in U.S. Middle East policy. Any attempt to paraphrase Kamiya could lead to a distortion or distillation of his powerful observations and keen insight.
Kamiya exposes that huge elephant that has been sitting right there in the middle of the Middle East - while being ignored by the Bush administration! We in the electorate had better make sure that whoever takes over the reins of our government next year heeds the advice of this brilliant writer (and editor of Salon magazine).
-- Nancy Hoppe, Largo
Misplaced fault
Perspective section readers were treated to an elegant, but inane article: A tale of two miseries, Palestinians, Israelis, and America's shameful neglect. This article exemplifies why Middle East peace is elusive and why terrorism escalates worldwide, but not for the reasons given. The misery is true; where the fault lies, however, is specious.
Blaming Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and the United States is silly. Sharon is the latest in a succession of elected Israeli leaders, either left or right leaning, who have sought peace since the death of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995. Unlike the sham foisted at Oslo, Israeli leadership demands accords that would ensure Israel's survival, consistent with the language of U.N. Resolution 242.
In stark contrast, Palestinians continue to be led by a despot whose true intention is worn on his sleeve, a patch depicting a Palestinian state inclusive of all Israel, not two states as Oslo conceived. Nowhere was this more dramatically demonstrated than in the waning days of the Clinton administration when Arafat refused the deal offered with Ehud Barak at Camp David, and without even a counteroffer. Yasser Arafat was true to his shoulder patch. Without a right of return, whereby Palestinians, with little or no valid claim, would control Israel, Arafat would not deal. So much for a negotiated peace with Arafat, or any of his inner circle. Yet the aforementioned article blames Sharon and the United States.
When the Western world speaks with a unified voice, that terrorism is not an acceptable form of expression and that there is no place in a civilized society for terrorist promoters; when clerics extol peace instead of calling for jihad; and when mothers teach their children love instead of hate, there can then be peace. In the meanwhile we should be thankful for Sharon and the United States for keeping the possibility alive.
-- Robert Weisberg, Tierra Verde
A terrible way to live
Re: A tale of two miseries.
I really enjoyed reading this article in last Sunday's paper. It was a very good, moving article. However, it made me very sad, knowing how bad the situation is in Israel. I hope this is solved soon as these people need a normal way of life. It's really a terrible way to live. God help them all.
-- Helen McKay, Pinellas Park
Misguided monument
Re: Freedom Tower builders fight the unpredictable, March 14.
Daniel Libeskind and David Childs' Freedom Tower is a monument to egocentrism and greed, the currently outstanding example of the irrelevance of architecture to the sentient life of a society. It will become a millstone around the neck of government that cannot afford to lose it. While those responsible for its safety and protection are focused on the tower, the most accessible targets will be those out of mind.
One of the first schemes offered by a group of New York architects was to use this opportunity to add new buildings and renew and revitalize a large area of that part of downtown New York as a reaffirmation of the city's meaning. This was dismissed out of hand. The two port authorities, the developer, the city and public demand for a "monument" has dictated this solution.
As for aesthetics, if you are near, you can't see it; if you can see it, then you are too far away to describe it. If you are in it, you can only see out. If you need an elevator, you will need more than an architect, engineer and developer to aid you. It will be the developer's problem to find lessees to occupy the top floors.
-- Harold Seckinger, Homosassa Springs
NRA is on the job
Re: NRA calls the shots, editorial, March 28.
Thank you for giving so much credit to the NRA for protecting our Second Amendment rights. Pawning a firearm is not a crime and this back-door registration would do nothing to alleviate criminal misuse of a firearm. If is wasn't for the NRA, I think your editorial staff would have a hard time keeping their jobs.
-- Robert L. Simister, Seminole
A power grab
Re: NRA calls the shots, editorial, and Gun range bill set to backfire, March 28.
Let's see if I have this right: Privately owned businesses are creating toxic pollution on public lands and they expect me (as a taxpayer) to clean up after them because of their "divine right" to shoot guns.
Your front-page story said that the "NRA's lobbyist... told lawmakers that gun range owners need to be protected from bureaucrats who are "drunk with power and they think they can bully anybody they want.' " Perhaps you misquoted her; it sounds as if she were describing the National Rifle Association.
I don't recall electing the NRA to anything. It is about time this organization concentrates on gun safety instead of bullying lawmakers.
-- Robert H. Williamson Jr., St. Petersburg
Clever and clear
Re: Headline award goes to Times copy editor, March 24.
I was delighted to read that Jim Webster has been recognized by his peers for his outstanding work. I remember being struck by the wit of each and every one of the winning headlines, and even put a few in a "darn good writing" file I keep at home. On the day you published McDonald's takes a quarter pounding, I brought it to the attention of nearly everyone with whom I spoke.
It's hard to write effective short copy. The judges' comment that Jim Webster's "cleverness never obscured clarity" is what sets this genius apart.
-- Lum Pennington, St. Petersburg
[Last modified April 4, 2004, 01:05:44]
