letters@dailystar.com.lb

 

 

Associated Press

“Israel snubs UN call for public Gaza war probe”

January 27, 2010

 

Israel’s view is that the Jewish people are they chosen people of God. With that view they see all others as second-class humans who don’t enjoy the same rights as the Jews, the so-called “chosen ones.” 

Unfortunately force – whether in the form of military might or economic pressure, such as a boycott of the Jewish state – are the only way to get justice in the Middle East. 

Anyone who speaks badly of Israel is automatically labeled as anti-Semitic by Jews, because they think that they are God’s people and as such cannot be persecuted.

 

Robert Csanalosi

Miami, United States

 

 

Compiled by Daily Star staff

“Afghanistan allies back Taliban 

reconciliation efforts”

January 26, 2010

 

Yes, America is hooked on war, and although 

some Americans might not realize that, you can be sure that the rest of the world does, as it looks at Afghanistan, Iraq, and other places around the world where the United States has fought wars, threatened to fight wars, sent armed forces, or launched missiles in their stead. 

America spends more on its military budget than most of the rest of the nations of the world combined, and yet many Americans would tell you that the United States is a peace-loving nation that only goes to war to bring about peace, and that only uses its military to keep the peace. 

It’s like the novelist George Orwell said: “War is peace” to them.

More than that, though, war is profit to many US weapons makers and manufacturers, who make enormous amounts of money selling arms and material not only to the US government but to many others around the world. 

War is also power and influence to the US government. With the most powerful military in the world, it can intimidate others and get its own way a lot of the time, politically, economically, or in other ways that benefit US interests and allies. 

However, like many great nations and empires of the past, America has overextended herself. 

Her armies have gotten bogged down abroad while her economy and infrastructure at home are crumbling. In the past, America’s answer to this sort of problem has been more war, not less. 

It will be interesting to see what she does this time.

 

Ted Rudow III, MA

Menlo Park, United States

 

 

Mohammed Zaatari

“Sand quarries causing ‘ecological massacres’ 

in Al-Rihan”

January 25, 2010

 

The real problem is not the quarries. The real problem is the lack of political decision to regulate them and to enforce the laws. 

Big political forces are behind this industry: From 1993 until 2000 it was the era of the contractors, who were always complaining about any regulations: Sand had to be the cheapest.

The result was the quasi-distribution of permits by the Interior Ministry.

In 2000, with the withdrawal of the Israelis, the priority shifted: Sand had to be the cheapest to boost the return of the southern population to their villages.

The difference between the two periods is that while the total cost of sand used to build a building is less than 1 percent of the total cost, this percentage goes sharply up when it goes to popular houses.

In 2006, with all the destruction of the war, we were faced with a new demand and excuse for cheap sand, and again no regulations. 

And now the boomerang is starting to hit back. The cost will be much higher than our politicians can imagine, sorry, understand.

 

Sami Achcar

Beirut, Lebanon

 

 

This is a national disgrace. Those who have given out the permits and those who took the sand should be closed down and put in jail. The area should be re-landscaped and planted with trees at the expense of the criminals. 

Why do they go for forested areas and not the barren anti-Lebanon range? 

The quarries at Deir al-Baider or above Qabb Elias are literally taking down a huge mountain. What a crime against nature. 

Do these people own the land they are quarrying? Or is it owned by the government? 

Lebanon is scared for life and tourists don’t like to see the ugly holes carved into mountains. Wake up Lebanon, before it’s too late.

 

Alfred Ina

West Palm Beach, United States

The Daily Star

“Bad weather hits drivers and roads, allows skiers 

to take to slopes”

January 25, 2010

 

This is a great article. 

I wish that we could see more about articles like this that report on normal issues in the country, not just politics.

 

Anthony Youssef

Sydney, Australia

 

 

 Elias Sakr

“Tensions rise as Israeli Army stages maneuvers 

on border”

January 23, 2010

 

This just goes to show you that the culture of lawlessness, persecution and lack of accountability by Israel, still exists today. 

The world has not forgiven Israel, for its last, destructive act of evil upon the good people of Gaza, last year, and its last war on Lebanon in 2006. 

So what gives Israel the right to want to pick a fight with Lebanon?  

 

Danny Rapana

Brisbane, Australia

 

 

Reuters

“Sour words on Mideast peace as Obama 

admits setbacks”

January 22, 2010

 

US President Barack Obama still has not learned anything. Peace will only come when he forces Israel to make a just peace with all Palestinians, including refugees and their descendants. 

But instead Obama again focuses on pressuring the weak victims instead of the brutal colonial power.

 

Edward R. Brandt, Ph.D.

Minneapolis, United States

 

 

Mehdi Khalaji

“Use Iran’s people against the country’s

nuclear program”

January 22, 2010

 

Mehid Khalaji works for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, which was founded by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the coordinating arm of American lobby. 

 

Sal Z. Piuttosto

Las Vegas, United State

 

 

The Editorial

“Mitchell, bring out the sticks”

January 20, 2010

 

In reality the sticks are already there – they are the sticks that the Jewish and pro-Zionist lobbies bring to bear upon the politicians who dare to put even the slightest pressure on Israel under any circumstance, no matter how horrendous or ignominious its actions are. 

The sticks are there and they are terrifying to any US politician. US Middle East peace envoy George Mitchell says that the US is the only power that can make things happen in this conflict. No, it is not. It is in fact powerless. Its’ own electoral process has made it so. 

What we are witnessing is the “buying of time” because time alone will eventually destroy the Palestinian people. How much longer can they possibly survive under these conditions?

 

Roger Lafontaine

Youngstown, United States

 

 

Gamal A. G. Soltan

“Egypt tells Hamas: No more Mr. Nice Guy”

January 19, 2010

 

I love reading The Daily Star every day, and I appreciate the wide variety of opinions. I agree that Hamas needs to be made to feel the pressure after its refusal to moderate. But the world also needs to address the humanitarian problem in Gaza, where over half the population is under the age of 15. Build a border wall, but find a way to allow the passage of food and medicine to these civilians.

 

Nour Khalil

Arlington, United States

 

 

Agence France Presse (AFP)

“Dutch return plundered 4,000-year-old clay 

tablet to Iraq”

January 19, 2010

 

Nice to see that somebody is honest and respects culture from other countries.

 

Fernando Fernald

Montreal, Canada