Just To Clarify…
In response to last week’s letter to the editor regarding the June 13 In Memoriam tribute I’d written about my father, a”h, I would like to clarify the following.
Although I recall making copies and distributing the notes referred to by the letter-writer to some of the semicha students in our YU class, I was not the actual author of those notes nor did I ever claim to be. I am, however, flattered that he gave me the credit.
Joshua Rosenthal
(Via E-Mail)
Selective Outrage?
A couple of months ago Michelle Obama said she was “heartbroken” over the kidnapping of nearly 300 Nigerian girls by Islamic terrorists. She and her husband, she said, thought of their own daughters whenever they heard or read about the Nigerian girls.
The first lady even posted a Twitter photograph in which she held a sign reading #BringBackOurGirls.
But in the face of the kidnapping earlier this month of three Israeli teenagers, one of whom has American citizenship, Mrs. Obama has been painfully silent. What does it take to get a reaction from her? Do the victims have to be a certain gender and nationality?
Amy Wall
New York, NY
Subsidizing Palestinian Kidnappers
Your June 18 editorial “Reflections on the Kidnapped Students” noted that Secretary of State Kerry’s remarks about the kidnappings contained “not a glint of recognition of the irony inherent in the recent unity pact between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.”
There is more than just irony. The Obama administration’s recognition of the Hamas-Palestinian Authority government, and its continued financial aid to Hamas-ruled Gaza, in effect sent Hamas a message that there would be no serious consequences for its terrorism.
Why do American Jews have to quietly accept the Obama administration’s outrageous stance? A large majority of Jewish voters supported Obama in 2008 and 2012. Jewish donors contributed generously to both Obama presidential campaigns, as well as to the Democratic Party and many of its other candidates. The American Jewish community is thus particularly well positioned to insist the administration withdraw its recognition of the Hamas-Palestinian Authority regime and suspend U.S. aid to Gaza.
This would send Hamas a new message – that the U.S. will not subsidize those who kidnap Israeli children.
Moshe Phillips
Benyamin Korn
Members of the Board
Religious Zionists of America
Alfred E. Obama
Did you miss President Obama’s most recent fundraising stops at Manhattan’s Plaza Hotel and the home of actress Sarah Jessica Parker, co-hosted by Vogue magazine editor Anna Wintour? One event was hosted by the Democratic Senate Majority PAC, which accepts “unlimited donations.” The second was for $34,000 per person to rub elbows with Ms. Parker and other celebrities.
“Do as I say, not as I do” applies to Obama and Congressional Democrats. Bash the wealthy with one hand but get the big bucks with the other hand. Those in attendance included the usual 1% crowd along with Wall Street, lobbyists, trial lawyers, real estate developers, Hollywood celebrities, special interest groups, millionaires and the Pay for Play crowd.
What is that tired old refrain about the Democratic Party being the friend of the working and middle class, while those nasty greedy Republicans are the wealthy big buck fat cats? Seems like Obama prefers hanging out with the 1%.
Given all the current crises, one would think the president would spend more time at work. Mr. Obama reminds me of Mad magazine’s longtime mascot and cover boy Alfred E. Neuman, famous for saying “What, Me Worry?” with a big smile on his face.
Larry Penner
Great Neck, NY
Negligent Drivers A Danger To Bike Riders
Last week I attended the levayah for Leeor Devora Perl, a 13 year old from West Hempstead. She was riding her bicycle and had the light. A car that also had the light made a right turn and fatally struck her.