Israel would be better off not negotiating
Re: “Where are Palestinian concessions?” Nov. 18
As usual, Cal Thomas has hit the nail on the head. The problem with any peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, as well as the broader Arab world, is that a series of U.S. presidents have demanded unilateral concessions from Israel with no reciprocity from the Arab side.
This has been particularly exacerbated during President Obama’s administration, which has poured money into the Palestinian Authority while making an issue of settlements in East Jerusalem and adjacent population centers for 500,000 Israelis just trying to live a normal life. Israel has received nothing for its many concessions outside of the PO’s ephemeral promises, which are immediately ignored.
Israel would be better off not returning to the negotiating table if President Obama’s agenda is to wring further concessions from Benjamin Netanyahu without demanding any reciprocity from the Arab side, including Hamas.
Nelson Marans
Bureaucratic red tape strangles attempts at reform
Re: “It’s the government that is broken, not the immigration system,” Nov. 17
I have two words about Gregory Kane’s article: AMEN, Brother!
I have one word to explain why these things happen: Bureaucracy, commonly referred to as “red tape.” As a government employee and also a citizen, I have to admit that any transaction with the U.S. government takes, well, f o r e v e r. So unless the entire federal government does a 180 degree flip and reduces at least 80 percent of its bureaucracy, life will go on as usual.
Change? We can dream, can’t we?
Carlos M. Aguayo
Invasive airport screenings don’t make us any safer
Re: “Amid airport anger, GOP takes aim at screening,” Nov. 15
Janet Napolitano’s insistence on full body scans or gropings as a condition to board an airplane is misguided, insane and just plain wrong. This is a gross violation of our freedom and liberty, something this administration increasingly does “for our own good.”
Are we more safe? No.
Subjecting millions of obviously innocent travelers to this humiliating experience while ignoring the obvious fact that Napolitano’s department dropped the ball with the underwear bomber will not keep anyone safe. Profiling will.
Tracking and searching Muslim men and women who fit the profile will do more to keep us safe than any body scan could ever do. It’s long overdue.
Janet Ozarka
