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Today's Letters: Don't be so quick to believe a spy

Letters to the Editor
Published November 20, 2007

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Diplomacy is the way to deal with Iraq Nov. 16, letter 

The letter writer takes the comments of former Israeli Mossad chief Efraim Halevy at face value - something very dangerous to do when listening to a spy. Columnist David Ignatius made the same mistake, but the spy told us exactly what we wanted to hear.

President Bush made the same error when he thought that he saw into the soul of Russian President Vladimir Putin. It is now clear that Putin is not a believer in democracy and not eager to support American policy, but a dictator who will fiercely oppose an independent Kosovo and veto any meaningful sanctions on Iran.

Halevy knows that the Democrats, whose base opposes war in the Middle East, are likely to win the next election. He also knows that the majority of American Jews oppose the war in Iraq and do not want war with Iran. But does this mean that Halevy really believes that negotiations with Iran will succeed? Israel supported our belief before the war with Iraq that victory would be quick and easy. I knew that there would be a fierce guerrilla war there and I suspect that the Israelis did as well. But they also believed that we Americans would persevere.

Israel believes that we will defend it against Iran if negotiations fail. What Israel truly wants to avoid is being forced to accept peace with the Palestinians under the terms that are now available - return to pre-1967 borders and repatriation of a substantial number of Palestinian refugees. Such an accord would be best for America.

Even if it were possible to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, the Muslim bomb already exists in Pakistan. You cannot trust Pakistan's dictator, Pervez Musharraf, any more than you can trust Israeli and Russian spies.

Arthur Volbert, St. Petersburg  

Seeing success in Iraq Nov. 16, letter

An elusive success

Without commenting on the use of words like "idiocy" toward people of differing views, I would like to comment on "success" in Iraq.

The stated purpose, or purpose of the month, of the U.S. troop surge in Iraq was, according to our president, to provide for an environment for political reconciliation. The fact that fewer people, ours and theirs, are being blown up and killed every day is wonderful, but does not reach the goal of success. The previous words about standing up the Iraqis so we can stand down our troops hasn't worked either. That was more of the "mission of the month" explanations for our presence in Iraq.

Whether we have 100,000-plus troops or police in the country, we can eventually provide less killing, but that does not mean we can ever enforce a military solution in that country.

I couldn't care less which party can run on which platform in 2008. I hope to see fewer of our people getting killed and coming home wounded, and let the Iraqis run their own country, which is what President Bush said would be "success" for the surge. So killing may be down, but the elusive success remains a long way away.

Bill Baird, St. Petersburg

Crybaby candidate

Poor Hillary Clinton, the boys won't leave her alone. She won't give any clear and concise answers to questions and she won't release any information from her White House years. So what else is there?

We don't really know what she thinks, or what she'd do if elected. Lately, she has resembled a broken weather vane or a waffle straight from Denny's, rather than a presidential candidate.

Think about it, people. Is this what you want in the White House?

Steven C. Atkinson, Spring Hill

States' rights Nov. 12, David Brooks column

Trying to excuse Reagan

On Nov. 12, the St. Petersburg Times reprinted this sententious article by David Brooks concerning states' rights and the Reagan legacy. Brooks notes that he is writing about a "slur," a left-wing distortion about a speech Ronald Reagan gave in Neshoba County, Miss., in 1980. As proof of Reagan's nonracial intent toward blacks, Brooks recounts how Reagan visited the offices of Jet and Ebony magazines, gave an address at the Urban League and visited Vernon Jordan in the hospital. All of this sounds nice, or it seems like something any good politician would do.

The Reagan I studied lived in a neighborhood that had a restrictive covenant against blacks that he signed in 1941, opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and also the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In fact, Reagan said "the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was humiliating to the South." Even Colin Powell, who considered Reagan a mentor, said, "Bush and Reagan were two of the closest people in my life" but added that on the issue of race, "they were never sensitized to it."

Neshoba County, near Philadelphia, Miss., is where three civil rights workers were brutally beaten with chains and shot to death by the police and local klansmen. The Neshoba County Fair is where Reagan decided to kick off his campaign for the presidency with a speech about "states' rights." Even Brooks admits, "You can look back on this history in many ways. It's callous, at least, to use the phrase 'states' rights' in any context in Philadelphia. Reagan could have done something wonderful if he'd mentioned civil rights at the fair. He didn't. And it's obviously true that race played a role in the GOP ascent."

Indeed, this is why I understand Ronald Reagan the same way that Colin Powell did, and why I find Brooks simply engaging in right-wing sophistry.

Dr. Keith Berry, Tampa

Laws against public spitting in Sarasota

First be respectful

I can't believe that people actually wrote letters supporting laws against spitting in public. One writer actually wrote this in support of this law: "Sarasota is a city with respectful and considerate citizens in mind."

If that were true, then they would not enact such a law. How about if we put signs all around the city entrances that say, "Sarasota is a city where - under fear of punishment - citizens are respectful and considerate."

Want to stop people spitting in public? Do so in a respectful and considerate manner. Anyone who supports such a law I would never define as a respectful and considerate citizen.

Steve Morrell, Bradenton

What to do with $40M? Nov. 5, story

Let the disabled play

There seems to be an extra $40-million that the Hillsborough County commissioners decided not to spend on Championship Park and now do not know what to use it for.

I just thought I'd toss an idea their way: How about a park that is designed to meet the needs of children and adults with disabilities? I'm talking wheelchair softball, wheelchair basketball and tennis. How about golf, soccer and rugby? Baseball for the blind and hosting Special Olympics events?

Kids with disabilities could learn a lot from adults with similar disabilities, and local teams would have a place to call home field instead of renting facilities for tournaments and practice. A lot of people probably do not realize the number of established wheelchair teams already in the area. When there is a public hearing concerning this issue, I'll be there with a lot of friends who could benefit from these ideas.

John Richmond, Crystal Springs

Her big man on campus Nov. 14, photo

Beautiful faces

The faces of the two central figures in the photo on Page 1B of Wednesday's Times are beautiful. We all know of all the good that Tampa Bay Buc Derrick Brooks does. His confidence, compassion and generosity just beam from his handsome face.

But the face of Anabelle Mahon is simultaneously angelic and impish - a lovely child who is obviously thrilled at her good fortune, but still a little shy. Just stunning.

Thank you for making an old man's day, even week, maybe.

Jack Wilhite, Clearwater

U.S. needs to pump up its diplomatic muscles Nov. 17, commentary by Donald Eastman

Depend on diplomacy

Thanks for including Donald Eastman's timely reminder. We as a nation do indeed need to make global diplomatic leadership a priority. Using primarily military involvements has not solved our global challenges but only made them greater. We must heed Eastman's wisdom and make diplomatic strength a priority if we are to survive.

Jean Lersch, St. Petersburg

Now we need leaders

Donald Eastman's commentary on emphasizing diplomacy is an excellent opinion. Let's elect a president and others who will pursue this course.

Richard Ellinwood, Safety Harbor

[Last modified November 20, 2007, 01:50:37]

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