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Long tragedy in the Mideast can't continue

Re: Israel must strike at terrorist leadership, July 17.

Twenty-four years ago, in my letter to the editor, I agonized over the suffering of the Lebanese children during Israel's then-siege of Beirut. Once again, Beirut and Lebanon's innocent citizens suffer destruction and death, and the clock is ticking ominously.

Michael Oren doesn't mince words in this column when he points at Iran and Syria as the countries responsible for the bloodshed in the region. Their proxies - Hamas and Hezbollah - infect the Arab masses, and the spread of the disease is frightening. No longer can the world allow appeasements and cease-fires to lull it into a false sense of security, giving the aggressors time to regroup and strike again - and more forcefully.

Israel had never threatened its neighbors with annihilation. Far from being expansionist, Israel had ceded land to its implacable adversaries in exchange for peace. Arabs, as citizens of Israel, share the same fruits of their labor and freedoms as all law-abiding citizens. It is tragic that Arabs in their pathological hatred chose the paths of intransigence, obstructionism and armed conflicts rather than accommodation, and pooled all their assets for destruction of Israel. In contrast, Israelis rolled up their sleeves and, out of a barren desert, built a country with industries, commerce, arts, medicine and sciences that are the envy of the world.

Let's face it: There can be no more niceties or double talk. Whenever attacked, Israel is sure to defend itself with all the means at its disposal, and in the game of quantifying the degree of response or retaliation, long-range ballistic missiles are sure to be factored in. Because of such a scary scenario, I will end this letter as I ended the one you published on Aug. 15, 1982, under the heading Prayer for peace: I hope that the bloodshed in Lebanon will give way to an era where the Palestinians, Arabs and the Israelis will live as they must, as friendly neighbors within their respective borders in lasting peace.

Jerry Rawicki, Seminole

A response too broad

Yes, Israel needed to respond to Islamic kidnapping of its soldiers, but why in such devastating, general assaults as its attacks on Lebanon, and why not more localized?

Perhaps Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was trying to live up to Ariel Sharon's crushing legacy to show he was not weak. Or perhaps Israel is attempting to bring on a regional war that will involve Syria and even Iran and, therefore, very likely America as well.

W.H. Riddell, Tampa

Israel is doing what it must

To those who feel that Israel is overreacting to Hezbollah and Hamas attacks, let me recall the world's reaction to Hitler's Holocaust. The world expressed regrets but did not interfere until Hitler started to step on their toes when he bombarded London and sank American ships.

The surviving Jews in Israel learned their lesson. They are not waiting for the powers of the world to come to their rescue. The leaders of the G-8 countries recognized the right of Israel to defend itself against those who conspire to destroy it. Overreaction would have been a full-scale attack on land, air and sea against Lebanon, Syria and Iran. So we can see that the Israeli government heeded the warning not to overreact.

Those who would like to see an immediate cease-fire are the supporters of Israel's enemies, and there are many of them. They argue that Israel is creating animosity among friends. Well, true friends of Israel realize that Israel has to defend itself and not stop until Hamas and Hezbollah satisfy the conditions Israel demands.

Many of those who decry the innocent civilians who die in this war were laughing when more than 2,000 people died when the World Trade Center towers were demolished by like-minded terrorists

Francis N. Dukes-Dobos, Clearwater

Where is concern for civilians?

Re: Mideast on the brink.

Your July 15 editorial states, "Israel did not start this fight and it is justified in striking back. Sadly, Palestinian and Lebanese civilians are being punished for the crimes of terrorists."

I don't agree with your statement that Israel is justified in striking back because it didn't start the fight. Israelis claim the kidnaping of their soldiers is the reason they are fighting back. If that is true then why are they picking their fight with everyone living in Palestine and Lebanon? When a powerful nation like Israel targets airports, water plants, electricity and the food supply of a country, it is going after all of the people. It seems to me by Israel's actions that it cares nothing about the civilians.

I am just one voice and I know I can't really make a difference, but just the same I have called the offices of Sens. Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez and I have written to your newspaper to voice my opinion. I haven't contacted President Bush's office, but after hearing him blaming Iran and Syria for what Israel has chosen to do, I won't even waste my time.

Carol Pinson, Tampa

Diplomacy gains nothing

For all my adult life, more than 50 years, I have watched U.S. presidents and secretaries of state trotting around the Middle East playing the "diplomatic card." For 50 years they gained what?

The only time anything was accomplished was after Israel crushed Arab armies. Egypt, crushed, signed a peace treaty and got the Sinai back. Jordan was crushed and is quiet. Syria, crushed, now hides behind Hezbollah. Israel offered almost all the West Bank and was refused. The Israelis give up Gaza and get rockets fired into their towns. They pull out of south Lebanon and get shelled.

Now some want more diplomacy, and the United Nations talks about "peace keepers." The United Nations has had "peace keepers" in south Lebanon for years. A lot of good they do.

The only way of dealing with people whose only desire is to destroy Israel and kill "the Jews" is to destroy them. Peace will come when these terrorists are wiped out.

William Culpepper, Seminole

A clear picture of Israel's plight

Re: Rockets drown out life at kibbutz, July 19.

Thanks to Times senior correspondent Susan Taylor Martin for once again demonstrating responsibility in her analysis of the current Middle East crisis. Martin is one of very few to present the Israeli perspective in her description of life in Israel, which is being hit daily by terrorist Hezbollah Katyusha rockets.

On my own recent trip to Israel I heard a Kassam rocket fired near the northern kibbutz at which I was staying. Today more powerful Katyushas are being fired. These rockets frequently originate from Lebanese apartments sold to Hezbollah terrorists. Consequently Lebanese civilians paid the price.

Martin's description of Israel's suffering at the hands of terrorists reminds me of Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice where Shylock laments, "Don't Jews bleed?" We must understand that our reliable ally Israel is standing up to Hezbollah terrorists who have just called for the killing of Americans wherever they can find us.

Norman N. Gross, Ph.D., president, PRIMER (Promoting Responsibility in Middle East Reporting), Palm Harbor

Complainers need to reconsider

Re: Evacuation from Lebanon.

It is frustrating to see, hear and read in the media the complaints of some very naive Americans waiting to be evacuated from Beirut.

I spent 4¹/₂ months as a hostage in Kuwait in 1990. My daughter, our son-in-law and two teenage grandsons are currently awaiting evacuation from a small village above Beirut where they were teaching in an English-speaking school for the summer.

It is natural, in a stressful situation, to complain about apparent slowness and impersonal treatment by those officials attempting to facilitate the evacuation. However, those who are quick to complain should understand that the world does not revolve around their little axis.

While in Kuwait, I learned that the U.S. State Department does, in fact, care about its citizens. Their delicate handling of questions and the cares of families here in the United States was exceptional. During that long isolation, the embassy personnel in Kuwait did all within their means to advise and counsel hostages.

It is time for all of us to understand that this country is, indeed, in a serious situation. We are all at risk even within our cities. Yes, things are scary. Yes, we all care about our lives and our loved ones. But we perhaps have become a little self-centered and shallow in our larger picture of this world. It is a time for some personal introspection. Real peace begins with inner peace.

Ralph E. Montgomery, Indian Rocks Beach

Let peaceful people practice their faith

Re: Mosque should be opposed, letter, July 19.

I was greatly disturbed by the overt discrimination displayed by the letter writer, who wrote in opposition to opening a mosque in Pompano Beach. He mentions that Islam calls for the death of all nonbelievers, but does he know for a fact that all 1.3-million Muslims believe in that? After all, there are passages in the Judeo-Christian Bible that support slavery and public stonings.

I believe that the majority of Christians, Jews and Muslims are capable of independent thought to aid them in their path to enlightenment. Individual members of these religions who want to harm others for any reason can be prosecuted, allowing peaceable members to do what they wish within the law. There's no need to prevent peaceable people from practicing their faith.

The letter writer also fails to understand that being ostracized by a society often results in individuals turning to violence to make their views known. And if we preach freedom - especially freedom of religion -- as a reason why others should follow American democracy, then why shouldn't we practice it? Let's ensure that members of all religions can peaceably practice their faith.

Sorcha Sills, Clearwater

Support offshore energy production

As a resident of Florida and vice president of CF Industries Inc., one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer products in North America, I applaud House passage of the Deep Ocean Energy Resources (DOER) Act of 2006 and encourage our senators to vote in support of responsible legislation to develop our nation's natural resources. The DOER Act is projobs and proconsumer, helping to bring down Floridians' skyrocketing energy bills.

Equally important, the legislation gives Floridians new protection and control over energy development off their coast. Without this legislation, Florida's control ends at 3 miles from shore; with this legislation, Florida controls out to 100 miles. This legislation is good for Floridians, as well as sound energy policy.

For the nitrogen fertilizer industry, there is no substitute for increasing natural gas supply. That's because nitrogen fertilizers are used on virtually every crop grown in this country. Natural gas is essential for the production of nitrogen fertilizer, so there is a direct connection between natural gas supply, America's food supply and our food security. Strategies for reducing energy demand, such as conservation and incentives for fuel-switching, are certainly important, and we support them. But increasing access to natural gas is vital.

Florida is already the nation's third largest energy consumer, and forecasts show that in the next decade, its growing electricity needs will cause a 92 percent increase in our state's demand for natural gas. It is clear to me that not only our industry but also jobs, businesses, farmers, consumers and communities will all benefit from the energy available in the Outer Continental Shelf.

Please take a stand for the American farmer and your food supply and food security by encouraging our senators to vote for responsible legislation to provide offshore energy production in the Outer Continental Shelf.

Herschel Morris, vice president of phosphate operations, CF Industries, Inc., Plant City

No deal on offshore drilling

The deal Sen. Mel Martinez made on offshore drilling is bad for Florida. Why? Because House leaders have made clear that they have every intention of turning the deal into something more closely resembling the bill they passed last month, which includes a lot more drilling a lot closer to Florida's coast. Sen. Martinez should declare now that he is unwilling to let House leadership get their way. He should shelve his deal.

If Sen. Martinez refuses to advance his deal to a vote, this Congress will close with Florida's current, strong protections in place. If he moves forward with it, it will be decimated by House leadership. The choice is his, but sometimes the most strategic move is no move at all.

I encourage Sen. Martinez to stop his dealmaking on offshore drilling. His heart may be in the right place, but bad actors in the House have made clear their goal of drilling just 50 miles off of Florida's coast. It's just not worth the risk.

Patricia Kiesylis, Defenders of Wildlife, St. Petersburg

Honoring a generous spirit

Re: Philanthropist of grace and style, July 20.

Thank you for the wonderful article about Ruth Eckerd in Thursday's Times. Losing a very committed and generous member of the community is always poignant. However, times like this give us the perfect opportunity to hold up a shining example like Ruth Eckerd and say, "We need more people like this," not because of money but because of a realistic sincerity in their spirit of philanthropy.

Religious Community Services and most especially the RCS Food Bank are most grateful for the generous spirit of people like Ruth and Jack Eckerd. Over the years, the RCS Food Bank has been the recipient of the Eckerds' kindness and concern for community issues. We here at RCS are profoundly touched beneficiaries of their generosity.

Saddened as we may be that our community has lost such a generous patron, we must be humbled by her example, thankful for her generosity, and honor her spirit with the same vigorous commitment to building a better community.

Duggan Cooley, director of development, Religious Community Services, Inc., Clearwater

Don't jeopardize women's sports

Re: Colleges: Give men a sporting chance, by John Tierney, July 12.

Tierney's position in this column is outrageous. He focuses on the wrong issue and attempts to leave the impression that male college students have somehow been disadvantaged since Title IX was implemented. Misinterpreting the reasons behind Title IX demeans the good intentions that made it necessary in the first place.

It is true that women have benefited, since prior to Title IX, college scholarships for women were almost nonexistent, which, in turn, meant women had limited access to a college education. And now, according to Tierney, because women are doing academically better than some men Title IX should be removed. But the core intent of Title IX was to promote equality among male and female athletes in high school and college, which in no way supports Tierney's position to put women in the choir and men on the football field because that's where they excel.

Jocelyn Samuels of the National Women's Law Center writes in a brief that a study by the General Accounting Office shows that the number of male athletes has increased by about 5 percent since 1981-82, with men's baseball and soccer teams, among others, registering big gains. In addition, spending for men's sports still vastly outstrips spending for women's teams, with women receiving less than one-third of the dollars spent by schools to recruit new athletes and only slightly more than one-third of athletic operating budgets.

So, Mr. Tierney, men are still advantaged despite the passage of Title IX. And if these men choose to not take advantage of the academic opportunities offered to them because of their athletics and athletic scholarships, then shame on them. Financial equality for women's sports should not be jeopardized to make up for it.

Diane McSpiritt, St. Petersburg

Why be biased against braids?

Re: A dreadful drive against dreadlocks, July 15.

I am not naive but I was shocked to read about the various entities (schools, corporations, etc.) that ban individuals who choose to wear their hair in braids. What is wrong with braids? White people braid their hair, too, and they also have bad hair years.

I'm white and I will admit I have seen some pretty skanky dreadlocks, but rewrite the rules or something to accommodate the majority of neat braids. I am really stymied and angry for black people who are being discriminated against with such a silly, prejudicial, "keep 'em down" bias such as this. How would you feel if, among all the other prejudices you faced as a black person, your job or educational opportunities depended on your hairstyle? What next?

Elizabeth Keeley, St. Petersburg

Better hair care on the air

Re: A dreadful drive against dreadlocks.

Thank you for publishing this article. Now, let us address the current hairstyles (and I use the term loosely) of all races of female journalists, anchors, etc., who appear before the camera looking as though they just haven't had time to do anything with their hair. Along with proper attire, which most of them follow well, they need to be schooled on proper hair care. If their current "style" is loose, long and lanky, they should have it off their faces when the camera is on The constant swishing and/or throwing of their heads to keep said hair out of their faces is not dignified at all. That leads to more unsuitable body language, which leads me to suggest that if they want to appear sexy, then keep all that in the bedroom - not before the public on TV.

I, for one, will be happy when the pendulum swings back to the shorter, neater hairstyles. The messy hairdos I currently am forced to endure do absolutely nothing, even if these people have perfect makeup and a pretty face. Please, please, gals, do something about your image stemming from your sloppy hair!

Barbara Leary, Ruskin

[Last modified July 22, 2006, 01:22:34]