October 22: Real protection

A "consumer protection revolution" will only be effective under at least two conditions.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
letters good 88 (photo credit: Courtesy)
letters good 88
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Real protection Sir, - Re "A consumer protection revolution" (Editorial, October 19) will only be effective under at least two conditions:
  • that the law is made widely available to consumers. This requires that it be posted on the government's Web site in all relevant languages, and be easily obtainable by those without Web access (say, at post offices, or distributed with daily newspapers).
  • that implementation of the law is closely monitored. There is a failure by the authorities to implement laws in all areas, and by the press in particular to report on what is happening. HARVEY LITHWICK Metar Hardball vs soft Sir, - Instead of giving the terrorists 450 Palestinian criminals in return for Cpl. Gilad Schalit, would it not be better to grab, say, the 10 top Hamas leaders at large and barter them for Schalit's release? What is the point in playing softball when the other side is playing hardball? ("Peres: No progress made in Schalit talks," October 19.) DAVID LEE London Heavenly waitress balances hellish kids Sir, - A family here for Succot sat next to us at one of Jerusalem's fine restaurants on the intermediate days of the festival. To the parents of the four ill-mannered children from the UK, out on their own: They had no business eating out by themselves, especially since it was clear that they didn't know how to behave. When we asked them to quiet down, they replied, full of hutzpa: Yes, they should, because, after all, they were not Americans. We asked them several more times, receiving only more poor behavior and disrespect. When their mother finally showed up, the only thing she had to say was that the two older boys had had too much to drink - which was clear by the empty bottle of wine on the table. She did not even think it necessary to reprimand them and solicit an apology for us. We received that from the lovely waitress who took care of us! BONNIE EIZIKOVITZ Teaneck, New Jersey Memories of Yekaterinoslav Sir, - The Menorah Center, the massive Jewish community center being built in Dnepopetrovsk, looks staggering in the computerized rendition you published, courtesy of Chabad ("Planned Menorah Center to light up Ukraine city," October 5). And the myriad other construction projects planned in the city certainly could make it a hub for the local Jewish community and a tourist attraction, courtesy of helpful millionaires. I only wish the article had included the historical fact that Dnepopetrovsk is none other than Yekaterinoslav, the great city on the Dnieper whose original name commemorates its founder, the Empress Catherine II of Russia. My grandfather, Dr. Moses Umanski, graduated from the classical Lyceum there and went on to study medicine at the University of Kharkov, and in Berlin. He and his wife settled in Leeds, England, in 1890. They founded the Zionist movment there and attended the Second Zionist Congress in Basel in 1898, with three young children in tow. In 1899 my grandfather became one of the founders of the English Zionist Federation. RUTH RIGBI Israel Association of University Women Jerusalem Peace ambassador? Sir, - Jonathan Goldstein misdirected himself in spending his time describing the peace credentials of concert sponsor Arkadi Gaydamak ("Musical ambassador for peace," Billboard, October 17). He should be examining the peace credentials of maestro Valery Gergiev. Barely two months ago, Gergiev rushed back to Tskhinvali in Ossetia to conduct a concert to "honor those who died there." He apparently did not consider doing the same in Georgia, even assuming he would have been welcome there. This current, well-publicized gesture seems more like political partisanship than fostering peace. Musically, Gergiev may well be a successor to Georg Solti. As an ambassador for peace - no way. PETER SIMPSON Jerusalem Gigs bad and brilliant Sir, - I read with interest David Benkof's "How Jewish were the Beatles?" (September 25) because in Montreal on September 8, 1964, Ringo Starr had a bodyguard on stage for the only show the Beatles played there. The reason for this was that death threats were being made against Ringo. Some people had apparently decided to make an example of him as an English Jew. One major error, though - he's not Jewish. Nothing thankfully ever came of the death threats to Ringo, who called the show "the worst gig of my life." DANIEL RATNER Rehovot Sir, - Re Sir Paul McCartney's recent visit to Israel: A great concert? Indeed. A talented musician? Most certainly. A warm human being? No doubt. A historic event? A little perspective, please. G. GERSHON GUBBIO Jerusalem Dance, not destroy Sir, - It is a crying shame that the Acre Festival of Alternative Israeli Theater was cancelled. Such a lot of work went into the preparation, and thousands of people will miss the entertainment - including this very disappointed member of the public ("US performers dismayed after Acre Festival gets the hook," October 15). Dancing and music should be allowed to reach the local hotheads also, perhaps encouraging them to dance rather than destroy. LOU SCOP Netanya Sour juice Sir, - On my return flight to Israel last week with British Midlands Airlines, I had an unpleasant surprise. Curious about the Arabic writing on the boxes of juice being served by the stewardesses, I was appalled to see that they were from an Iranian company. I thought Britain was participating in economic sanctions against Iran! I have no intention of flying British Midlands again, regardless of their bargain prices. HELEN RAUCH-ELNEKAVE Ma'alot Write to me Sir, - I am 45, a teacher of English and German, in search of male and female friends in Israel and worldwide - Jewish, Muslim and Christian. I enjoy reading, movies, swimming and cycling, as well as collecting photos, stamps and postcards. I am waiting most eagerly for responses, which should be sent to Huygens Street, 10, D-04159, Leipzig, Germany. HANS KIEBART Leipzig Sir, - I'm a young Swiss, very interested in Israel. That's why I'm looking for penfriends aged 20-50 from your wonderful country. Please write in German, English or French to Aspermontstr. 19, CH-7000 Chur, Switzerland. VITUS CASTELBERG Chur, Switzerland Sir, - I am very delighted to write you this letter: I found your address at the British Council Library in Accra. I am a 17-year-old girl, a student. My hobbies are music and films, collecting postcards and stickers. Write to P.O. Box GP 18259, Accra, Ghana, West Africa. GIFTY DANDOE Accra