July 6: Dropped the ball

Dropped the ball
Sir, – I believe the July 4 Peanuts-like cartoon attacking the so-called Obamacare law (Comment & Features) to be an unwarranted and egregious interference in the American political experience. The constitutionality of the law is by definition what the US Supreme Court says it is, and not what political hacks and editorialists who do not have degrees in US constitutional law have to say.

To top it off, where do we get the nerve to pass judgment on a law that American “wing-nuts” decry as being “socialist?” Has your cartoonist not availed himself of his own equitable and superior health services, which are most decidedly socialist by any standards and would therefore drive some Americans rabid with outrage? I have been less than happy with the recent spate of political cartoons in the Post that comment on American events having no direct relevance to Israel. I think this to be a serious error on the part of your editorial staff.

The Americans are no less pleased with our putative interference in their affairs than we are with what we consider to be their interference in ours. We should also recall that we are outgunned when it comes to payback.

Good grief, Charlie Brown! You’ve dropped the ball again!

TREVOR DAVIS
Asseret

Brassy proposal
Sir, – With regard to “IDF facility for top brass heads to east Jerusalem” (July 3), as someone who grew up in the Diaspora (“what will the goyim think?”) I find our excessive concern with world reaction repugnant.

For those in our midst who have not shed their galut mentality, the proposed facility can be presented as another gesture of good will to the PA by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, touting it as a military college where Israelis and Palestinians can jointly learn to fight terrorism and radical elements.

After this college is built and the internal and external brouhaha has abated, it will be up to our admissions committee to decide on which students to accept.

SARA SMITH
Jerusalem

Our very own
Sir, – The Hebrew press and, indeed, large parts of Israel took immense pride in declaring Italian soccer superstar Mario Balotelli to be “one of us” (“Foster son of Jewish mom leads Italy to Euro soccer title match,” July 3).

Balotelli’s biological parents were economic migrants from Ghana who had “infiltrated” into Italy illegally. The question has to be asked: If Balotelli’s family had chosen as its destination Israel and not Italy, would he be an Israeli citizen playing for Israel’s national team, or would we miss out on such wonderful talent? Is there an Israeli Balotelli? I believe there is. He can be found among the children of the Eritrean and Sudanese refugees and the migrant workers. We just need a small change to our immigration policies and the will to find him.

ZE’EV PORTNER
Ramat Gan

Join the miracle
Sir, – I rubbed my eyes in disbelief upon reading “Head of Ponevitch Yeshiva says standard of living in Israel is ‘miraculous’” (July 2).

While I agree with Rabbi Gershon Edelstein’s every sentiment, I wonder how such a great Torah scholar would not draw the logical conclusion to his own statement.

It would be incumbent upon him to give thanks to the Almighty for the State of Israel and its achievements.

Further, it would be incumbent upon his students to take some role in the protection and welfare of the state and its citizens.

I call upon Edelstein and his fellow rabbis to look at the achievements of the state with an “honest eye” and understand that it is precisely because of the “miracles” we witness daily that their students must all contribute, whether through the IDF or National Service.

ALAN (SHLOMO) KOOR
Petah Tikva