Letters to the Editor
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
How To Prevent a Nuclear Iran
Problem: Russia is selling nuclear technology to Iran for $800 million. Suggestion: Pay Russia $1 billion NOT to sell nuclear technology [“Iran, Russia: Close to Nuclear Fuel Deal,” Foreign, October 11, 2004]. Rational: It is just like paying farmers not to grow tomatoes. The precedent is farm subsidies. The cost of letting Iran go nuclear could be $1 trillion. A billion dollars is a bargain if it will prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The cost of our war in Afghanistan and Iraq is hundreds of billions. Osama bin Laden claimed that the September 11, 2001, attacks cost the American economy $1 trillion. In contrast, paying Russia $1 billion to prevent a nuclear Iran is a good deal. Urgency: Russia will soon begin nuclear fuel shipments to Iran.
JEFFREY WEINSTEIN
Edison, N.J.
Israel’s Gaza Plan
The New York Sun’s front page picture under the headline “Israel Enacts Plan To Pull Back from Gaza, West Bank” shows young men in orange shirts crying out against the Sharon expulsion plan which would require Jewish soldiers or policemen to forcibly remove over 9,000 Jews from their land, homes, jobs, friends, schools, synagogues, and cemeteries [Benny Avni, October 27, 2004].
That cry of anguish resonated in me when I learned the results of the coerced Knesset vote, where Prime Minister Sharon threatened to fire any ministers who voted against him. Mr. Sharon won the vote and immediately dismissed Cabinet Minister Uzi Landau and Deputy Minister Michael Ratson, who had opposed him. All this despite the Likud Party referendum where Mr. Sharon lost miserably, and the party vote forbidding him to join forces with Labor. None of this appears binding on Mr. Sharon, who in pit-bull fashion is using manipulation and intimidation to force the victories he needs. Your reporter, Mr.Avni, tells us that “The United Nations’ special coordinator for the Middle East, Terje Roed-Larsen, supported the plan on the eve of the Knesset vote,” and “Hamas spokesman, Moushir al-Masri said that the vote is a victory for the ‘resistance’ forces in Gaza, who by their actions pushed Israel out.” Fear and trembling should be setting in when recognizing that the enemies of Israel are applauding the vote in the Knesset.
I will be going to Israel next week, and I will wear my orange shirt in solidarity with the courageous and remarkable residents of Gush Katif/Gaza, and Samaria, whom I will be visiting. I also hope to pray at the Tomb of Rachel in Bethlehem, and at the Cave of the Matriarchs and Patriarchs in Hebron, and to visit the Temple Mount in Jerusalem (Jews are not allowed to pray there). I know that the courage and conviction of the Jews living in the threatened communities will strengthen me. I also know that the will of the people will prevail against the political perfidy.
HELEN FREEDMAN
Manhattan
‘The Elusive Mr. X’
I take the opportunity to respond to Evan Edwards of Manhattan [“The Elusive Mr. X,” Letters, October 27, 2004]. Perhaps I am “strange,” Mr. Edwards, eccentric, definitely. You see, sir, I am a conservative Republican, proud of my views and unafraid to sign my full name to any opinion I express, for better or worse.
I reside in a heavily “liberal” area of Brooklyn, having relocated here approximately 6 1/2 years ago, from the largely Republican district of Eastchester, N.Y. And, I recall then seeing a sign on Kings Highway indicating the office of “Congressman, Charles Schumer.” That, of course, is ancient history.
This is America, Mr. Edwards and Mr. X, where God has blessed us all with the freedom to express our ideas. In fact, it is my unequivocal belief that such beautiful ability is tantamount to the continued greatness of this nation. Why hide? Do you really want to cringe like President Chirac?
I appreciate Mr. X’s expression of his ideas, God bless him [“What I’d Really Like to Hear,” Opinion, October 22,2004]. I had intuited a similar idea to his, i.e., a short respite for high school graduates during which they would have the opportunity to work in the real world, whether in a voluntary capacity for the community, or for private enterprise, particularly, should their families be in need of the income.
Such opportunity would benefit their ultimate adulthood, and any further education to reach their respective goals. The image was formed and expressed perhaps a year or so ago – my recollection being uncertain. Ergo, I took the opportunity to expand upon my own, if not synonymous, suggestions. If that is “strange,” so be it.
And, I shall proudly cast my vote for President Bush and Vice President Cheney, although by law that must be registered anonymously.
Lastly, I tend to distrust cowards, one of whom I deem to be Senator Kerry. Our president, and vice president, on the other hand, are just whom they appear to be; they don’t have to hide and I like who each of these gentleman is as well as I do their respective spouses.
Please do vote. Each of you can wear a Halloween costume saved from October 31.
NANCY JOYCE JANCOURTZ
Brooklyn
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