Israel Gets Hammered By Bombs and the Media

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Two recent articles show the bias in news coverage when it comes to Hamas and Israel. The first article tells of a "shaky cease-fire" coming to an end when Israel struck Hamas and killed 20 Palestinians. Israel is made to look like the villain when the report claims five children were killed.

It is not until the last part of the report that one finds out Israel was defending itself against terrorists and had to attack. The operation was strictly defensive. It is unfortunate that the terrorists hide in civilian areas. There is also no mention of rocket fire on Israeli towns on a daily basis.

The second article deals with former President Jimmy Carter meeting Hamas leaders. Hamas opposes peace negotiations with Israel and calls for the Jewish state's destruction. It has killed 250 innocent Israelis. Yet Carter has given this group legitimacy even after both the United States and Israel have branded it a terrorist organization. In return for Carter's visit, Israel continues to get more rockets fired into its towns and continued threats of annihilation.

Martin Plotkin. Richmond.

Motorcycle Noise Oppresses Neighbors

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month -- 31 days of politically correct pandering put on us by Gov. Tim Kaine and the Virginia Freedom Riders/Riders Against Constitutional Erosion. Biker's rights groups qualify for grants of no less than $100,000 per state. Our governor's Motorcycle Virginia Web site has an "Advocacy/Rights" section! VFR-RACE wants to "stop the persecution of motorcyclists, regain our lost rights, [so] we can enjoy our lifestyle as other Americans enjoy theirs" -- while many Americans can't open windows on nice days or enjoy conversation because of Harley-Davidson noise.

Biker businesses have played the persecution game since 1903 when, instead of facing folks whose business they disrupted with noise, they deployed PR on the public front and back-channel lobbying on the legislative branch. They're still at it. Congressional Quarterly cites "the political muscle motorcyclists enjoy, organized with military precision and employ[ing] sophisticated political tactics."

In the 1980s, the EPA Office of Noise Abatement was closed; Harley got a federal bailout; kept its noisy, old-fashioned engine; and marketed the antisocial tribal identity of the Hell's Angels to suburbanites as patriotic virtue. Brock Yates wrote: "At the very core were the Hell's Angels. Harley-Davidson masterfully mixed the bad-guy image of biker gangs with the independent, free-thinking, patriotic American cowboy loyal to the nation's core traditions." Newspapers fell in line, describing them as doctors, lawyers, policemen, and business owners.

People should be free to live without being disturbed. Must millions of Americans endure Harley thunder, cars and trucks with loud exhausts, and boom cars? When a child turns away from her studies as Mr. Harley rumbles by, a portion of her life is taken -- forever. Is this fair?

Mark Huber. Richmond.

War Is Always A Moral Crime

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

In his letter, "Bombing Hiroshima Saved Millions of Lives," Donald Strock justifies the U.S. atomic holocaust on Hiroshima and Nagasaki civilians, women, and children, because it may -- or may not -- have saved a million Allied uniformed.

He claims he was trained as a Marine to fight a uniformed enemy -- inferring not to include noncombatant civilians. Any country at war will justify its own cause and tactics. If the atomic holocaust of Hiroshima wasn't a war crime, it would be a heresy to declare that 9/11 was since both entailed slaughter of non-combatant civilians.

The Virginia Algonquin Indian slaughter of British colonists of Henricus in 1622 in principle was no different. "War crime" is an oxymoron since war itself is a moral crime, but one that is directly caused by aggressive land occupation by any group, nation, or country seeking to ouster or infringe the original occupants. Stolen land is not free.

Lyman Flinn. Richmond.

He Knew It Was A Bad Idea at the Start

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

I happened to be one of the curmudgeons who did not buy into the Chicken-Little rhetoric that led the U.S. to invade Iraq. Logic would dictate that if we could keep the powerful USSR at bay, why be concerned over a nation with a destroyed war machine?

The powers that put us into this morass are searching for a way out that would not reflect on their lack of common sense.

As soon as we found out that we were in the middle of a religious-based civil war our fearless leaders were offered a face-saving reason to get our troops and equipment out. Now we find that 1,300 Iraqis deserted rather than engage their own people. Another valid excuse to get out. Note that the Brits were smart enough to stay out of the middle.

To hell with the contractors, politicians, etc., and use some common sense for a change. Get us out.

Henry K. Manger Jr. Midlothian.

Barksdale Production Was Handled Quite Well

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

I agree, in large part, with the views expressed by letter-writer Chuck Miller, "Barksdale Production Promotes Immorality," regarding the current production of "The Little Dog Laughed." However, in fairness to Bruce Miller, he did give an interview regarding the play prior to the opening to inform patrons of the content of the production. Additionally, season-ticket-holders can opt to exchange their tickets for Barksdale with Hanover. Former directors have not been so forthcoming, thereby causing some of us to discontinue our season tickets.

Thank you, Bruce Miller -- and "Greater Tuna," here we come.

Peggy Chappell. Richmond.