Letters to the Editor, March 24, 2004

Whatever Sheikh Yassin was, he was no coward, he only had one bodyguard and lived openly without obvious fear (contrast that with Ariel Sharon's bevy of bodyguards). He survived a previous assassination attempt and subsequently took no additional precautions. True, Hamas has orchestrated many reprisals against Israeli civilians, but any analysis, or blame apportioning, must recognize that the Palestinians have died at the ratio of 4 to 1 Israelis. The Palestinians are in the same position as the Red Indians were: their land has been taken from them at the point of a gun, and, just as the Indian did, they seek to resist their conqueror (dependants included, because reproductive age females make more mothers and soldier sons). If the UN were not the hollow-shell that it is, it would solve the problem by mandating a solution.

James K. Ruben, Gateshead, England

Jane Stillwater's hate phone call

As one who also has received such calls I would suggest that if she calls the appropriate agencies [first call her telephone company] they will inform her on ways to trace the call and follow up.

It is disheartening to witness that it is quite acceptable to give in to hate than consideration of others human rights. My advise to Jane is keep the hope alive. Cause even the haters will have their day of reckoning.

Regards,

Armand de Laurell

Famous Quotes about War & Peace #1

"All of us have heard this term 'Preventive War' since the earliest days of Hitler. I don't believe there is such a thing; and frankly, I wouldn't listen to anyone seriously that talked about such a thing."

Dwight Eisenhower

Charles A. Beers

Quinquireme of Nineveh from distant Ophir,

Rowing home to haven in sunny Palestine,

With a cargo of ivory,

And apes and peacocks,

Sandalwood, cedarwood, and sweet white wine.

Stately Spanish galleon coming from the Isthmus,

Dipping through the Tropics by the palm-green shores,

With a cargo of diamonds,

Emeralds, amethysts,

Topazes, and cinnamon, and gold moidores.

Murder-laden bombers from a clique in wealthy Washington,

Safe up in the skies in the Iraqi days,

With a cargo of smoking guns,

Cluster-bombs, ‘smart’-bombs,

Death and destruction, and cold hypocrisy.

John Masefield (adapted)

Phil G Hong

Earth, a planet hungry for peace

The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers (Ran Cohen, pmc, 5/24/03).

The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers in the West Bank (Ran Cohen, pmc, 5/24/03).

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