‘The Iranian Havel’

I would like to commend The New York Sun for your July 6 editorial titled “The Iranian Havel.” At last I am grateful to see the American press bring up the plight of such human beings as Akbar Ganji, who is an inspiration to us Iranians in our quest for an Iran that is free, democratic, secular, and a true republic that adheres to the principles of human rights.

Let us also not forget that there are many other political prisoners who are serving long-term prison sentences for defending the rights of the Iranian people, among them Abbas Amir Entezam, the longest political prisoner of the Islamic Republic of Iran, students Akbar and Manouchehr Mohammadi, attorney Nasser Zarafshan, student Ahmad Batebi, and many, many others.

MEHDI AMINI
Herndon, Va.

‘Bloomberg Buries’

Re: “Bloomberg Buries Rivals on Television,” Julia Levy, Page 1, July 5, 2005. While it is true that Mayor Bloomberg has much more cash to spend on television advertising than his Democratic rivals, the article states that “Federal Communications Commission rules require broadcast stations to offer candidates ‘the lowest unit charge of the station.’ “

The article goes on to define what that means and clarify the difference between preemptable and nonpreemptable pricing, which is critical to the broadcast rate structure.

Accordingly, only one thing is being overlooked: cable!

While broadcast TV is critical to a political campaign, as large an audience of people is watching cable TV as is watching broadcast TV at any given moment. Who, except those who don’t subscribe to cable, doesn’t see ads on both?

Further, the majority of New Yorkers who are watching the broadcast programs which Mayor Bloomberg is advertising on are watching via cable and, though much less so, satellite systems.

Time Warner, Cablevision, and RCN in New York City retransmit the broadcast signals under the “must carry” law just as Comcast, Patriot, Cox, and others retransmit to New Jersey and Connecticut. Since the broadcast signal of New York stations covers the entire tristate region, Mayor Bloomberg is getting only 40 cents per advertising dollar since 60% of the households that receive the local broadcast affiliates are outside of the geography of the campaign.

Had Mark Green used cable more broadly and broadcast more sparingly, he may not have won the election, but he would have gotten more bang for his buck.

WILLIAM STERNBERG
Manhattan

‘Blind Faith’

Re: “Lasting Tribute,” Natan Sharansky, Opinion, July 5, 2005. I admire Mr. Sharansky. I am aware of his courageous personal history as well as his advocacy for democracy. That seems to explain his grasp of some of the issues in his commentary. He does recognize, as set out in his own words, “‘Blame America’ proponents may take the ‘once sacred concept of human rights’ … and ‘twist it beyond recognition’ and use it to ‘bludgeon the free world.'”

However, from that obvious reality, he illogically comes to the conclusion that the Freedom Center “might go a long way toward injecting moral clarity back into the public discourse.”

I take this to mean that public discourse (discussion), of good (democracy) versus evil (terrorism), will make those who support terrorism see the evil of their ways and begin to appreciate democracy.

I regret to say I find this naive, especially from a man who has endured so much harsh reality in the Soviet prisons. Does he think public discourse will change the hearts and minds of terrorists, their supporters, and their willing propagandists in the United States who blame America for all the world’s problems? If Mr. Sharansky were to be consistent with his own past and his espoused views of democracy, the concept of democracy would not be subject to debate. It would be an irreducible, uncompromising truth.

Even if there were a possibility of a positive effect of such “discourse,” why would the sacred “burial ground” of terrorists’ victims be the appropriate setting for this shrill debate? Does a person, especially a family member, paying respect in mourning to those thousands who died, want the political hypocrites venting their foul, immoral breaths at the same site that entombed those heroic victims?

Mr. Sharansky also states that he has met “Tom Bernstein and his team” and, as a result, feels comfortable with the goals of the International Freedom Center. Unfortunately, in light of the leftist elements in this country, a la a well-funded George Soros and his followers, Mr. Sharansky’s optimism is not well founded. I am truly surprised he would “just trust,” thus sadly demonstrating truly, blind faith.

JOSEPH REICHBIND
Manhattan

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