January 16: Let's see, now

Following surgery to lift [his] eyelids, can we now look forward to a distinct improvement in Ehud Olmert's long-term outlook?

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
letters to the editor 88 (photo credit: )
letters to the editor 88
(photo credit: )
Let's see, now Sir, - Following surgery to lift the eyelids "which had been impeding his vision," can we now look forward to a distinct improvement in Ehud Olmert's long-term outlook? ("PM undergoes eyelid surgery," January 15.) DAVID S. ADDLEMAN Mevaseret Zion Sir, - I hope the man doesn't frighten himself to death when he sees the mess his blurred vision got the country into. NICOLE MONK Netanya 'He's so popular' Sir, - Why would we consider freeing a man convicted of engineering three deadly attacks, murdering five Israelis? The deputy defense minister's reply: He is the most popular Palestinian leader ("Sneh: We'll have to weigh freeing Barghouti," January 15). Barghouti is popular because of, and not in spite of, his murderous past. What good will it do the Palestinians to be led into another round of suicide-bombings, terror and murder? As for us - what would be the point of supporting Barghouti, except a keen wish to see any peace effort fail? MARCELLA WACHTEL Jerusalem Triumph over adversity Sir, - Judy Siegel-Itzkovich's health columns are always valuable, and her interview with Prof. Sherwin Nuland ("Writing books on medicine can be therapy," January 14) was deeply insightful and a lesson for us all. She revealed the essence of a remarkable man whose life embodies the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. To have succeeded so brilliantly after so many years of pain, depression and bitterness is admirable. I have always believed, as he does, that writing is therapeutic. DVORA WAYSMAN Jerusalem Think again, baby Sir, - Your newspaper reported on the suggestion that responsibility for Tipat Halav (well-baby) clinics, most of which are now administered by the Health Ministry, be transferred to the health funds ("IMA asks court to stop 'dangerous' well-baby transfer," December 31). Having worked as a doctor in the Western Galilee since 1954, I know that all Tipat Halav clinics in the district have been run by the health funds since the mid-1950s - that is, for 50 years now. May I suggest that impartial enquiries be made into how successfully they have been run, and the resulting welfare of the children in the area? It would then be unnecessary to set up a pilot scheme, form a committee to examine its results, and present its recommendations to the ministry and the High Court for a legal decision. The Treasury has allocated NIS 50m. to this scheme. Maybe the money could be better used elsewhere. DR. B. BAR-NESS Nahariya Let us praise... Sir, - Absorbing all the tributes to the late Teddy Kollek brought to mind the quotation Si monumentum requiris, circumspice - If you would see his monument, look around. The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations says this is inscribed over the interior of the North door in St. Paul's Cathedral, and attributes it to Sir Christopher Wren's son. I cannot think of anything more suited to Kollek. SHARON LEVY Kiryat Motzkin Sir, - Daniel Doron's "Where Teddy's Zionism went wrong" (January 10) hit the nail on the head. You do not have to be blind, deaf and dumb to realize Teddy Kollek's legacy. His socio-Marxist mentality was one of the major reasons Jerusalem has been on a continual decline since his political demise. He erected plaques and memorials for his well-heeled Diaspora benefactors instead of providing a solid economic foundation and using his energy to provide quality of life for his citizens. As a transient resident of Jerusalem, one sadly observed the poverty-stricken economic, environmental and sectarian state of the city. JACK DAVIS Sydney, Australia ...great men Sir, - There are few really powerful people in high places we can emulate. So why on earth would we appreciate an article at this time on the things Teddy Kollek did wrong? Among his other wonderful attributes he was a man of integrity, so why this terrible urge to besmirch those who have served their country with honor? Perfection doesn't exist, and there are few people around who are half as valuable as Teddy Kollek was. Teddy made a positive difference to all our lives, not just Jerusalemites'. Leave us alone - please - to honor those who are worthy. MARGERY FEINSTEIN Jerusalem Computer glitch Sir, - The National Insurance Institute joins an illustrious list of government organizations that were unable to get a computer system to work ("NII scraps computer system after 7 years and NIS 30m., January 12). Among these are the FBI's Virtual Case File program, abandoned in 2005 after five years of development and a cost of $100 million. The British National Health Service computer system has breakdowns and delays in development that could cost taxpayers 40b. - more than double the project's original cost. Outsourcing will not solve the problem. How can we solve it? Organization staff should take control, demand what they need and not accept the latest gimmicks offered by computer technicians. YITZHAK BERMAN Bet El Cable's unable Sir, - As an ex-South African whose mother tongue is English, I feel that nothing on cable TV is anything like what we have on BBC Prime. For example, you won't find "Location, Location, Location" or "Escape to the Country" on any other cable channel or VOD. All I am asking is, please let BBC Prime stay ("Get tough on HOT, YES," Editorial, January 7). MICHELLE RAYMOND Eilat Sir, - If it's of any help, I'd like to add my voice to the protest against HOT's decision to remove BBC Prime as of February 1. Your editorial said it all. My sarcastic remark to the clerk at HOT that I was so happy I could now watch Chinese programs instead was wasted, but hopefully the threat to move over to YES will have some impact. GRETE ROESLER Nahariya Sir, - Desmond Stonely from the UK is "flabbergasted by the depth of feeling" here regarding the behavior of a cable TV company when there are "more pressing concerns" (Letters, January 14). This reminds me of the joke in which someone describes his family's division of labor: "My wife worries about balancing the budget and feeding the kids, while me and my mates discuss the important issues like who should be running the country." YONATAN SILVER Jerusalem Sir - I would be interested in Desmond Stonely's reasons for reading The Jerusalem Post, considering Scunthorpe's distance from Israel. He should also be "flabbergasted" at the rarity of fish'n'chips served in Israel, and the even rarer occasions on which vinegar is poured over the dish, rendering it soggy (which I happen to love). Now, back to tachles. Will those legal minds please come forward to help us against these cable dictators? STEPHEN POHLMANN Tel Aviv