LETTERS: Hamas in driver’s seat, backed by Iran
To the editor:
Mike Luckovich’s editorial cartoon in the Viewpoints section was totally in error (“Drawing Board,” July 20 Review-Journal). The cartoon portrayed Israel in the driver’s seat of the car, with the U.S. in the back and the driver stating, “Just ‘cause you provide the car and gas doesn’t mean you get to be backseat driver.” The cartoon should really have had Hamas in the driver’s seat and Iran in the back, and the statement still would have been appropriate.
Doesn’t Mr. Luckovich read the papers to see what is occurring in that region? When the three Israeli youths were found murdered, all of Israel went into mourning and not a single Palestinian expressed remorse or tried to find the perpetrators. When the revenge killing of the Arab youth was discovered, 600 Israelis went to visit the family and offer their condolences, and Israel immediately started an investigation resulting in the arrest of three Israelis. How did the Palestinians react? They rioted and Hamas began a terror rain of rockets.
What other country in the world would telephone a house telling the people to evacuate, because the house was a target? What other country would drop leaflets telling the civilians to distance themselves from rocket launchers? When offered a five-hour cease-fire for humanitarian reasons, Hamas refused. A cease-fire proposal presented by Egypt was approved by Israel and disapproved by Hamas.
Can it be that Hamas is only interested in the destruction of Israel and cares nothing about the welfare of the people living in Gaza? Let Mr. Luckovich think about that for a while.
MURRAY LEITNER
LAS VEGAS
Israel and Hamas
To the editor:
A statement attributed to a member of our local Muslim community needs to be addressed (“Vigil honors victims of violence in Israel-Gaza conflict,” July 18 Review-Journal). Andy Amid intimated that the media favor Israel. Does Mr. Amid believe that continual rockets bombarding Israeli cities, from a group seeking to kill as many Israelis as possible, should be ignored? Does he not see Israel deliberately provoked?
Hamas refused a cease-fire brokered by Egypt, instead choosing to carry on with its desire to slaughter Jewish civilians. Israel does all that it can to prevent civilian deaths; Hamas does all that it can to ensure its own people are harmed in order to blame Israel. The scene is crystal clear to the objective observer.
MERLE ROTH
LAS VEGAS
Gray-haired donors
To the editor:
I have no idea how old John Isaacs is, but I can read between the lines to see that I’ve been his age and he has never been mine (“GOP too dumb to take sound advice,” July 22 Review-Journal letters). I’m among those he described as “gray-haired donors who feel they’ve lost all control.”
I may lose control of my bladder, but I will never lose control of my vote. I’ve been a Democrat, Republican and now am heading toward independent. All because I listen to what comes out of a politician’s mouth. Every administration has flaws, but I have enough smarts to sort through what I see, hear and read in the paper.
I may be taking my dirt nap before Mr. Isaacs reaches my gray-haired age, but I hope he gets a little more flexible with politics, for the sake of our country.
NORMA ZANKOSKI
HENDERSON
Putin shaming Russia
To the editor:
Instead of ballet and beauty, Russian President Vladimir Putin sends bullets and death, and the civilized world is horrified. President Putin displayed to the people what he stands for. We are seeing a small fraction of the destruction this man represents to freedom. Had he not broken international law by entering Crimea, and had he not allowed a missile launcher into Ukraine, the shooting down of the Malaysia Airlines jet would not have happened.
President Putin has backed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, and no doubt the body count is now about 150,000 in Syria alone. So what’s another 298 lives — the number of dead on the jetliner — to him and his cronies? All with just one shot. He has shamed Russia. Hopefully the separatists picking up the remnants of the dead will see the results and be sickened by their actions.
Like Lady Macbeth, President Putin and his gang will find that the blood will not wash away. If Russia is to save herself from his clutches, they best be about it.
EILEEN SCHENCK
LAS VEGAS
