May 21: A terrorist is a terrorist

Even a rudimentary reading of World War II shows us that when Hitler’s beer hall putsch failed, he chose “legitimate” and political means.

By JERUSALEM POST READERS
letters good 88 (photo credit: Courtesy)
letters good 88
(photo credit: Courtesy)
A terrorist is a terrorist
Sir, – I find it fascinating that John Brennan, an assistant to the US president for homeland security, considers some members of the terrorist organization Hizbullah moderates (White House official: US seeks to ‘strengthen moderates in Hizbullah,’” May 20). He cites as his logic for that conclusion that they are an “entity that now counts members in the Lebanese parliament and even cabinet posts.” Further, he states that he is pleased to see that “a lot of Hizbullah individuals are in fact renouncing that type of terrorism and violence and are trying to participate in the political process in a very legitimate fashion.”
I find this fascinating because even a rudimentary reading of the history of World War II shows us that when Hitler’s beer hall putsch failed and after his realizing he was not going to ascend to power through force, he chose “legitimate” and political means. He was duly elected by the people and “appointed” as the chancellor of Germany.An assistant in the area of homeland security would be well advised to open a high school history book and read these facts before being enamored by terrorists who try to accomplish their goals through “legitimate” means. He may wear a suit, and he may hold political office, but a terrorist is a terrorist no matter what other label you may attach to his name. Just look at Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.    RABBI ZE’EV     M SHAN DALOV    Ma’aleh Adumim
Name the judges
Sir, – Your editorial blamed various unnamed judges for the Moshe Ben-Ivgi furloughs that enabled him to flee to Argentina (“Moshe Ben-Ivgi and a tale of farcical furloughs,” May 20). As a former Chicago criminal defense attorney, I can unequivocally state that no Illinois judge would have released any maximum security prisoner on a furlough. Why? Because every newspaper would have published the name of the judge who allowed the release, and that judge would have had to explain his or her actions.
Judges, like (other) government bureaucrats, thrive on anonymity. It allows them to make decisions and not take any responsibility for them. It is the duty of our newspapers to name those judges who make decisions that endanger the public, and demand an explanation. The public in general, and Ben-Ivgi’s victims in particular, deserve no less.    DAVID GLEICHER    Jerusalem
Thank you, police
Sir, –This is to thank our police in Haifa for a very prompt reaction. There were two cars parked on Rehov Eder, where there is a senior citizens home, and they were parked in such a way that one could not pass on the pavement. Going down to the street for the purpose of just walking is dangerous, especially for those using canes or worse to enable them to do so.
When I phoned the police to give them the cars’ license plate numbers, the operator was most courteous and the police arrived within 10 minutes, which we all thought was outstanding.
Thank you in all our names to the police.     HANNAH BRAMSON    Haifa
Good decision
Sir, – Congratulations to Mayor Nir Barkat for his decision to cut off municipal services to the Mea She’arim neighborhood after rioting there cost the city NIS 1 million  (“Damage due to Barzilai-related haredi riots in Jerusalem estimated at NIS 1 million,” May 18). As the article stated, the city has invested millions of shekels into the neighborhood after various riots held there over the past few years. Municipal services should be discontinued until at least NIS 1 million worth of services have been withheld. How sad that the haredim can’t think of better ways to protest than destroying public property, and in their own neighborhood at that.    HANNAH SONDHELM    Jerusalem
Minority opinion
Sir, – Fortunately for the people living in the Middle East Larry Derfner’s call to “Let Iran go nuclear” (May 20) is definitely a minority opinion. Both the US and Russia, as well as Israel, have made it clear that they will not accept a nuclear Iran and they are still pushing for sanctions against a nation that is being led by a mad man. We have yet to hear from China. If it can be proven that Iran has a large arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in hand, it will make it easier for the US and Russia to call for a military strike.
What should be made clear to all is that the American and Russian decision to keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of the leaders of Iran is a decision based on what is best for the US and Russia.The fact that Israel will benefit from this stance is strictly a product and a good example of interlocking interests. President Barack Obama is trying to make some kind of order in the Middle East and a nuclear Iran will not make the task easier.
    P. YONAH
    Shoham