Being too cozy with Israel won't bring Mideast peace

According to two April 13 news articles in the Post-Gazette, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon wants the United States to take tougher action against Iran ("Sharon to Bush: Press Iran") and he also dismisses President Bush's warning about further West Bank settlement growth ("Sharon Dismisses Bush Warning"). In addition, Mr. Sharon would like additional money to facilitate industrial growth in the Negev section of Israel and he will also need money to pay for the relocation of the settlers from Gaza.

This is not good news for the American taxpayers who have already contributed over $100 billion to the state of Israel. How have we benefited for our generosity? It has not brought peace to that area, but it has earned us the hatred of 300 million Arabs.

There are a wide variety of opinions in the Jewish community, but we tend to listen to AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) and similar organizations that blindly follow the lead of the Israeli party line even when it violates international law. The White House and Congress are more interested in campaign contributions and votes than doing what is right for their country and the world.

We should announce to the world that we intend to have a more balanced approach to the Middle East. In conjunction with the United Nations, we should insist that Israel begin an immediate withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza to the approximate 1967 borders, with NATO troops as observers and enforcers. We should also stop all aid to the Middle East and establish a fund to rebuild the devastated areas similar to the Marshall Plan. Arrangements should be made for a formal peace treaty between Israel and the Palestinians that would provide for final borders and security for both states that would be backed up by the United Nations. We would also make clear that we intend to maintain our traditional friendship with Israel, but that we would extend that friendship to all the nations that share our values and freedoms.

PAUL WAGNER
South Fayette

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No standing

The Post-Gazette did a disservice to readers by publishing Zig Dermer's letter on April 21 ("Iraq Timetable"). Mr. Dermer, a Quaker, suggests pressuring our government to affix an artificial timetable under which to withdraw our troops from Iraq.

Mr. Dermer is parroting the liberal ideology espoused by the American Friends Service Committee, the parent organization for Quakers in the United States. It has been opposed to the entire Iraq operation from the beginning and openly states that on its Web site. I would assert that Mr. Dermer, and virtually all other Quakers, are in no position to influence our military, considering that Quakers primarily serve as conscientious objectors during wartime, with the stray "friend" serving in non-combat roles. Since most Quakers sacrifice virtually nothing, and have acted to undermine the efforts of our troops, their opinions hold little weight.

Like so many other people from fringe liberal, anti-war (anti-Bush) groups, Mr. Dermer offers no concrete suggestions, only the same tired leftist whimpers. The AFSC Board of Directors drafted a statement in December 2004 which included, "...the troop presence in Iraq has lost the support of the Iraqi people and, by most accounts, the U.S. public." They add that "violence can only beget further violence."

The violence inflicted by the United States is nothing compared with the violence inflicted by Saddam Hussein on the very people to whom the AFSC refers. And for the Quakers to contend that most people in the United States don't support the troop presence in Iraq is nonsense.

JAMES CANNON
Mt. Lebanon

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Bad behavior

It was interesting to read that the small group of parents pushing to make Minadeo Elementary into a K-8 school is now employing guerilla tactics to get the attention of Pittsburgh school board members, sending mock threats via e-mail that coupled the threat of destruction with a promise of mercy ("Squirrel Hill Parent Group Uses Sarcasm to Make a Point," April 19). Ironically, not long ago a student was expelled from Minadeo for making threats via e-mail. Though the parents' intent was no doubt harmless, I wonder whether parents employing such a tactic might send a confusing message to children.

Additionally, as an involved parent of a student at Minadeo, I was ashamed by the behavior of this group at the public hearing on Monday. Their insulting and bullying tone toward board members by no means represents a consensus of opinion at Minadeo regarding this issue. Many of us understand that board members are volunteers who operate under constraints and who deserve respect.

This type of behavior, however, speaks to the need for a district-wide master plan, one developed with input from all stakeholders and that includes targets and timeframes.

JUDITH KADOSH
Squirrel Hill

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DeLay: dangerous

Regarding the April 14 article "DeLay Mum on Ethics": When I read George Orwell's novel "1984," I thought there is no way this could ever happen in the United States. Well, I guess I was naive. When I read that Tom DeLay said, referring to judges who ruled on the Terri Schiavo case, "The time will come for the men responsible for this to answer for their behavior," I cried.

If we do not have independent courts free to make lawful rulings without retribution from the government, we are lost. We will no longer be free.

Referring to DeLay, your article reported that "he subsequently criticized the conduct of judges and said that Congress should reassert its 'constitutional authority over our courts' -- raising the possibility of impeachment of judges or changes in the jurisdiction of the courts." How can judges be free to make unbiased decisions with the threat of impeachment hanging over their heads? No more checks and balances?

Before long, Big Brother will be making all the decisions about who lives and who shall die.

Thomas Jefferson said, "The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it always to be kept alive." This is the occasion. Speak up and demand that Rep. Tom DeLay resign, with love for your country and its people -- before our freedom is gone.

KAREN KATILIUS
Murrysville

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Ditch Rogers

Don't the editors of the Post-Gazette have any shame? Rob Rogers is not a clever, sarcastic cartoonist in the mold of Herblock. He is simply a vicious, bitter doodler. His April 21 offering with respect to the new pope doesn't rise to the level of bird-cage liner. What's next, rabbis at Passover? How about imams? Isn't it time to just cut him loose?

CHARLES L. DAVIS
Monroeville

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Poll watch

The recent Quinnipiac University poll, which purported to show the progress of the 2006 Senate race, was ruinously flawed ("Santorum Vulnerable, Poll Shows," April 21). Only two of the declared candidates, Robert Casey Jr. and Rick Santorum, were included in the survey. Chuck Pennacchio, the only pro-choice candidate in the campaign, has remained in the race after Gov. Rendell asked the other Democratic candidates to drop out to avoid a primary in which the voters would chose their candidate.

The results of this poll cannot be considered to be in any way meaningful, coming as it does a year and a half before the general election, and before most Pennsylvania voters have had a chance to learn about Pennacchio. I urge the Post-Gazette to use more caution in covering a poll that has such errors of methodology.

CYNTHIA CRISE
Beechview

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Doctor's orders: Make the Pittsburgh Zoo smoke-free

I appreciated that Dr. Jonathan D. Finder took the time from his busy schedule to write about the Pittsburgh Zoo needing to be smoke-free ("Clear the Air at Our Zoo," April 20 Midweek Perspectives). As a parent of a child with asthma, I agree with Dr. Finder that there's too much secondhand smoke at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium.

After my last visit there, I called the zoo and expressed my concern about the excessive secondhand smoke, but I didn't get a very positive response from the zoo employee I spoke with.

The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium should join the growing ranks of American Zoological Association-accredited zoos that ban smoking on their grounds.

CHRIS CRYTZER
Robinson

Just do it

Bravo, hurray and "you go, doctor" to Dr. Jonathan D. Finder and his excellent commentary about converting the entire Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium to a no-smoking zone

I, too, have asked people to put out their cigarettes in the Kids Kingdom and have often wished the rest of the zoo was posted smoke-free.

Please, Dr. Finder, don't give up. You can get results. I know, because I once won a small but important victory against smoking in a clearly kid-oriented outdoor area.

Several summers ago, when my son was small enough to enjoy the wading pool at our community pool, I was irritated by adults who would smoke in this separate, fenced-off area. Mostly I just tried to herd my son away from the smoke. But one afternoon, when I spotted an adult woman sitting half-submerged in the kiddie pool with a cigarette between her lips, I decided I had had enough. I wrote to my borough council and laid out my case. The next summer, there was a "No Smoking" sign posted at the wading pool area.

Now if only we could get smoking banned in all playground areas of city, borough and county parks.

LINDA FLETCHER
Forest Hills