October 27: Democracy, at last

With the move toward elections - albeit only as a last resort - the nation is finally allowing democracy to come into play.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
letters 88 (photo credit: Courtesy)
letters 88
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Democracy, at last Sir, - With the move toward elections - albeit only as a last resort - the nation is finally allowing democracy to come into play. For the last two years we have heard this refrain from senior Kadima ministers and others to their left: "And what's the alternative, elections - which means Bibi?" In other words, the nation's leaders have long known that government policy is being dictated by people whom the majority of Israelis see as unfit to rule, but have clung to their positions nevertheless, through repeated major crises ("The nation is headed for general elections," October 26). YEHUDA OPPENHEIM Jerusalem Sir, - If the election system is not reformed, how will we benefit from elections? Those idiotic "safe places on the list" ensure that the same party hacks remain on top indefinitely. When Ariel Sharon formed Kadima, opportunists from many parties jumped on the bandwagon. Sharon formed his government. Then, when he suddenly fell from his command position, what was left were subordinates without vision or destination. It was like a bus not going in any real direction, just changing drivers. In our very dangerous situation we need some reliable and trustworthy leaders - people like Benny Begin, Dan Meridor, Isi Leibler. Our current ones have been bitten by the appeasement bug, for which there seems to be no antidote. GAVRIEL ESKEL Maoz Zion Sir, - Tzipi Livni has probably blown her chance of ever being prime minister, and Eli Yishai has turned down NIS 650 million for poor people because Shas wanted NIS 1 billion. Who suffers? The poor, as usual. Even if a new government wants and need Shas, it could take nearly a half a year before the poor see any benefits from Shas's posturing. American author and essayist Edward Abbey said: "One man can be pretty dumb sometimes, but for real bona fide stupidity there ain't nothin' can beat teamwork." He also noted that "Reason has seldom failed us, because it has seldom been tried." AUBREY BLITZ Netanya Sir, - Years ago I attended a Gemara lesson, but it wasn't until Tzipi Livni decided to stand up to Shas and call for new elections that the rabbi's statement finally made sense me. He said: "The worst possible scenario is to have an honest judge in a corrupt system, because then nobody receives justice." P. BERMAN Shoham Just spinning... Sir, - More "magic pills" to cure the ills on our highways! ("GreenRoad, Mobileye help protect drivers from themselves," October 26.) I find it absurd that we are considering these sophisticated solutions in place of, and ahead of the most fundamental requirements for road safety that are currently not in place in Israel, such as: • lane lines maintained in reflective white paint; • old lane markings eradicated, rather than being painted over with shiny black paint which reflects "white" in the sun; • lane endings communicated far in advance to give drivers time to merge; • stop/go lights overhead, and not just on the sides of the intersections; • clearly marked street signs also overhead so drivers see them well in advance. The "honor system" obviously doesn't work. A legal presence must be out there to enforce laws and invoke penalties, especially at peak traffic times. Highway patrols are a must. What we need are improvements on the basics. Great working examples already exist in other countries. Why throw another gadget at the problem, causing even more distractions? K. BRONSTEIN Petah Tikva ...our wheels Sir, - Re "Woman killed in accident in north" (October 26): For over 20 years I've been submitting the following proposals to the various transportation ministers and road safety organizations, without gaining any satisfactory reaction. Realizing that every violator is a potential killer and that it will take a long time to educate Israeli drivers to change their negative habits, it is imperative that a six-month period of emergency be decreed, with the following provisions: • Any driver caught in a moving violation such as excessive speed, illegal overtaking, not allowing for proper room between cars, etc. will have his license automatically revoked for three months, and his vehicle for a similar period. • Should someone be involved in a second infraction of the above rules, his license will be revoked for six months. • In case of a third violation, the license will be revoked for two years. Only an extreme reaction will teach drivers to obey the rules of the road. It would be helpful if violators' names were published in the media. Undoubtedly, anyone thus inconvenienced personally and in his professional activity will learn to become a more law-abiding citizen. At the same time, steps have to be taken to periodically reeducate almost all drivers in road safety regulations: 500 deaths and thousands of injured annually must be drastically reduced. ELI KLEIN Kerem B'Yavne Involved & unafraid Sir, - Rabbi Leslie Hardman's political involvement seems to have been overlooked in the tributes published by the Post's chief editor and letter writers (October 17 and 20). He was a founding member of UK Herut in 1971, served as a life vice-president of the organization, and was very active in the Soviet Jewry campaign. I first met him during my emissary period to the Betar youth movement (1975-1977). Rabbi Hardman was an involved clergyman, unafraid of the elitist ideological persuasions prevalent in British Jewish society. He stood up for Jewish rights in a forthright manner. YISRAEL MEDAD Shiloh Lust for Last Sir, - I was unhappy when I opened my Friday edition of the newspaper to see that the latest column from sports editor Jeremy Last wasn't there. His articles are insightful and the main reason I purchase the newspaper every Friday. While I'm writing, I would also like to point out how much I enjoyed Jonny Hadi's football weekend round-up ("Asulin gives Mac Petah Tikva derby win," October 26). The Post's sports coverage seems to be improving! BEN GREEN Jerusalem Sir, - Jeremy Last's is the only English-language column that offers readers an original and sharp analysis of the goings-on in Israeli football. Hopefully he'll return this week. SHIRA LEIBER Jerusalem Editor's note: The Last Word will appear on Friday. 'There it is...' Sir, - Judy Montagu's "That's entertainment" (October 22) was great. Just a heads up, the shortest speech ever made was delivered by William Mullholland of Los Angeles, when he completed the famous Los Angeles aqueduct. His speech to the crowd when he unleashed the water was: "There it is, take it!" DANIEL POURBABA Los Angeles Sir, - Three smiles and two belly-laughs, all in one article. It was a great way to start the day. P. YONAH Shoham