Jun 24, 2008

Letters

Socialism's siren song

Dear Editor: Never have I seen a Guest opinion piece focused with such clarity, objectivity and truthfulness ["Intel punished for being too competitive," June 16]. When the Berlin Wall came tumbling down, socialism was vanquished in the former Soviet Union. Unfortunately it did not die. Like a tidal wave, it swept over Europe and has lapped up on the shores of America, taking over "the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party." Socialism thwarts innovation, resulting in moribund capital formation and a drastic lowering of the standard of living. Socialism may sound like the sirens to the naive and inexperienced but it will put the United States economy between Scylla and Charybdis.

Hank Lawrence,

Menlo Park



Teenage drivers

Dear Editor: I appreciate Mari Ju's interest in protecting the environment by carpooling to Gunn High School with three fellow students ["Teen driving law goes too far," June 10]. Why not carpool to Gunn with several dozen of your fellow students? The [Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority's route] 88 bus goes a few blocks from your house. Starting July 14, VTA will increase 88 bus service to every half hour as school starts and after school ends, and hourly in between. And you get to avoid the congestion at the entrance to Gunn as school starts. With strong ridership, service may even be increased more.

The VTA 88 bus schedule is coordinated with the start and end of the Gunn school day, so taking the bus may be faster than driving, especially since you don't have to find a parking spot.

So take the 88 bus to school and save your gas money. The planet you save might be your own.

Arthur M. Keller,

Palo Alto Planning and

Transportation Commission



Israel, Hamas

Dear Editor: The column [Thursday] by Nicholas Kristof about the mistake made by the United States and Israel in their dealings with Hamas had some very misleading comments. He alluded to the fact that Israel has made more enemies by cutting off Gaza, using the example of a girl who needed open-heart surgery but could not get into Israel. This was an unfortunate event, but a very rare one.

I refer you to a YouTube segment Feb. 27, where a doctor near Sderot speaks about all of the Arabs from Gaza that they treat. Another reference is from the International Herald Tribune of March 12, where they talk about a group of doctors in Israel (Save a Child's Heart) who have treated more than 900 Gazan children and more than 1,000 children from other Arab countries since 1996. How many other countries would do this?

His other jab at Israel was about denying visas to three Fulbright scholars to go to the United States to study, again a rare case. Before 1967, Jordan controlled the West Bank and Egypt controlled Gaza, during which time there were no universities in these areas. More than five universities were built after Israel took over. Rather than fostering moderation, they have become hotbeds for radical teachers and students, especially during the intifada. Is it any wonder that the Israelis are wary?

Saul Eisenstat,

Los Altos



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