What about Blago and Ryan?
Letters to the Editor November 12, 2012 7:48AM
U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (2nd District)
Updated: December 13, 2012 10:23AM
What about Blago and Ryan?
If the feds are going to cut Jesse Jackson Jr. a deal and let him keep his seat, they ought to bring Ryan and Blago back home to keep him company.
Chuck Tinman, Manhattan
U.S. should reconsider stance toward Israel
An Oct. 26 letter concerned Israel and whether the United States should continue to offer its financial and political support.
This is clearly an issue of much controversy, and as one of the United States’ few remaining allies in the region following the illegitimate invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, many are inclined to retain cordial relations with Israel.
However, there must be a time when an American administration bucks the historical trend and is prepared to condemn Israel, both in rhetoric and in practice, for its near genocidal treatment of the Palestinians.
It is often overlooked that the creation of the state of Israel in 1948 occurred following the provision of a British mandate which, following the unpardonable atrocities committed against the Jewish people during the Second World War and the apparent need for a “homeland” for the Jews, seemed reasonable.
However, this was clearly to the detriment of the Palestinian residents who are now without their own sovereign territory, thus the dissatisfaction felt by the Palestinian community is both natural and just.
Incidentally, this belief is not founded on any anti-Zionist or anti-Semitic personal sentiments — like the author of the article referred to at the beginning of this letter, there is no personal prejudice.
I would simply urge the Obama administration in its second term to consider the extent to which Israel is perpetuating its poor relations in the region, and whether the United States’ continued support for Israel has a moral or politically pragmatic foundation.
James Tracey, East Lansing, Mich.
