‘Iraq’s WMD Secreted in Syria’

George Bush’s inability to justify the invasion of Iraq seriously damaged the Republican Party, as well as the reputation of our country throughout the world {“Iraq’s WMD Secreted in Syria, Sada Says,” Ira Stoll, Page 1, January 26, 2006].

If the administration can now prove that weapons of mass destruction, in fact, were in Iraq, it will be a tremendous boon to Republicans in their effort to retain control of the White House and Congress.

Even more important is that these dangerous weapons can, hopefully, be found and destroyed, before they can be used to inflict harm on any nation or group of people in the Middle East.

SALVATORE J. BOMMARITO
Manhattan

‘Icon of the Bronx’

A recent article by Andrew Wolf presented our community as snobs who would like to pretend the area is worthy of landmark designation when in fact it is composed of buildings built by a “hack” architect whose only talent was pleasing rich snobs [“Icon of the Bronx,” Opinion, January 13, 2006]. But what was even more disturbing was Mr. Wolf’s allegation that landmarking is motivated by a desire to exclude Orthodox Jews from Fieldston. I would like to emphatically refute both allegations.

As a long time resident of Fieldston, my husband and I brought up our four children here. I am proud that the Landmark Preservation Commission finds Fieldston worthy of preservation. As any walk through its winding, tree-shaded streets discloses, the architecture is varied and evokes a time when a home was an architect’s unique creation. None of the houses is in a development mode or a “cookie-cutter” style. Each has its own character and charm.

Having lived in New York City for more than 40 years, I cannot think of another neighborhood that compares to Fieldston. Above all, I object to Mr. Wolf’s claim that those of us who support landmarking are animated by bias.

I and my family are Orthodox Jews, and we have walked in Fieldston, on the Sabbath and the holidays, for the past 30 years. We have sunned ourselves in the backyard, and – surprise – we have had numerous barbecues and still have them with our children and grandchildren.

We are not the only Orthodox family in Fieldston that supports landmarking. We hope that the designation will help preserve the beauty and historic character of Fieldston for generation to come.

CATHERINE S. STADTMAUER
Bronx, N.Y.

Intel Finalist?

I am a lifelong New Yorker who has read The New York Sun eagerly since its birth, and was delighted with your premise: that you put news about New York in a prominent place (literally and figuratively).

So I was disbelieving and disappointed that yesterday came and went (I searched the paper today, too) without so much as a murmur, not to mention a kudo, about New York City’s lone Intel Science Talent Search finalist.

Big as life on Page 2 of the Daily News, in color and with flair on Page 23 of the New York Post, and exuberant on Page A9 of Newsday, the non-New York Times newspapers were delighted to trumpet New York City’s homegrown winner.

Two weeks ago, the 300 Intel semifinalists were announced at Stuyvesant High School downtown, a prelude to the awaited finalist announcement, which occurred just this past Wednesday.

New York City children had a great showing in the semifinals, and overall New York State’s children comprised an astonishing 40% of the 300 semifinalists. Not a murmur about any of this in your newspaper.

The finalist cut – down to 40 out of the 300 – was announced, and, contrary to all the years’ past showings, New York City only produced one finalist to go on to the final round of intense judging in Washington, D.C.

This lone New York City finalist, Sarah Kate Rapoport, 17, is a New York City resident and a student at the Horace Mann School in the Bronx. Don’t you think that’s newsworthy?

MRS. SANDRA RAPOPORT
Manhattan
Mrs. Rapoport is the mother of New York City’s lone Intel Science Talent Search finalist.

‘After the Election’

To put it simply: Hamas’s victory is the Free World’s loss [“After the Election,” Editorial, January 27, 2006].

The president’s “Roadmap to Peace” looks more like the “Roadmap to Nowhere.” So it’s back to the drawing board.

HERBERT STARK
Massapequa, N.Y.

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