Traffic Going in Both Directions on J Street. I would like to add my congratulations, to the many he has already received, to David Suissa for again having written an excellent, incisive and rational article, “J Street Needs Another Lane” (March 4) to complement his “Israel Never Looked So Good,” which generated a significant response.
John Mirisch’s critique of L.A.’s current transit plans (“Just What Is Jewish Mass Transit?” Feb. 25) is contradictory and uninformed. On the one hand, he faults Metro’s failure to provide sufficient park-and-ride lots for the Westside subway extension. On the other hand, he decries “big brother’s stick of eminent domain.” Mirisch can’t have it both ways: If you want more parking you may have to encroach on somebody’s property, which of course is perfectly permissible under the U.S. Constitution’s Fifth Amendment if the taking is compensated. As a city councilman, he should be aware of the takings clause, a long tradition in American constitutional law and urban planning. Mirisch seems to be looking for any excuse to put the brakes on transportation reform in a region that badly needs it.
Rob Eshman’s opinion piece “Just Say Yes” (Feb. 18) misrepresented a number of key points. 1) Our Federation’s Funding Policy on Israel Programming was the result of three months’ deliberation by a diverse group of leaders. It was built upon the foundation of policies already enacted by Bay Area institutions to help navigate potentially controversial programming choices.
Israel and the Egyptian Unrest. I wanted to take a moment to praise your journal and Mr. Suissa for his article, “Israel Never Looked So Good” (Feb. 4). Sometimes it is difficult to hear the voice of reason over so much shouting, but Mr. Suissa’s words ring out loud and true.
Janice Kamenir-Reznik is wrong to defend illegal immigration to Israel (“Israel Must Grant Entry to Asylum Seekers,” Jan. 28). It’s not about dealing without care for “asylum” seekers. It’s about Muslims infiltrating and undermining Jewish sovereignty in what the United Nations intended to be a Jewish homeland. Every non-Jew seems bent on taking away that right from the Jewish people, and some Jews also support “multiculturism” and liberalism or other “isms” but betray their Jewish destiny. Those who reject the Jewish character of Israel or wish to harm Jews have no place in Israel.
At last, a Dennis Prager article that I can completely agree with (“Honor Your Father and Mother,” Jan. 21). Not one word about how the nasty left is destroying Judaism. Just a beautiful “drash” about the fifth commandment, and the incredible wisdom of its construction. Yasher koach.
Jewish Life Exists in San Gabriel, Pomona Valleys. I was pleased to read the Jan. 7 article “University of La Verne Hires New Jewish President.” The University of La Verne is a wonderful asset for the greater Los Angeles area, and now, with Devorah A. Lieberman as the incoming president, there is a special connection to the local Jewish community. However, the story failed to acknowledge that there are Jews living in the area and community where the University of La Verne is located. The Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys provides programs and services that meet the needs of the Jews living in our community — an area from Glendale in the west to Rancho Cucamonga in the east and south to Whittier; an area that has an estimated Jewish population of 40,000 to 80,000.
David Eisner’s opinion piece (“Caveat Conlator: Funder Beware,” Jan. 7) criticizing the American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU) for honoring Frank Gehry was misleading and inaccurate. Let’s set the record straight. AFHU and the Hebrew University are on record opposing boycotts directed at the State of Israel.
Green Cars Benefit Earth, Israel. Kudos to The Journal for the Dec. 3 cover story on ways to reduce consumption (“My Chanukah Miracle\” target=\”_blank\”>My Chanukah Miracle”) and for Rob Eshman’s Dec. 10 column on the new Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid (\”The Home Front\” target=\”_blank\”>The Home Front”). We should strive proactively to reduce our environmental footprints. Mark Shapiro (Letters, Dec. 17) complains about the cost of a Volt compared to that of a conventional gas-burning car. What Shapiro didn’t mention is that the price of a conventional car and the oil it runs on are greatly subsidized — these prices do not include the cost of exhaust pollution on human health, military protection of access to oil (think Iraq and Afghanistan) and deadly oil spills (Gulf of Mexico).
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