Letters for June 28, 2001

Re “Israel’s Actions Are a Censored Story” (RN&R Letters, May 31) and “Another Letter Criticizing Israel” (RN&R Letters, June 14):

Two recent letters accused Israel of “genocide” against the Palestinian people. One writer, Robert Kern, was concerned that you did not include this topic in your “Censored Stories” article.

Obviously, it wasn’t included because, one, it isn’t true; and two, [the mainstream media have] higher standards than to write the racist, anti-Semitic diatribes in which this writer seems to excel.

Robert, get a life, or get the facts. You spread the very virus of division against which you pretend to rail, with your anti-Israel venom. Such hate thought would be pathetic if it weren’t so dangerous.

Patty Vinikow
Reno

Palestinians have a hidden agenda

Re “Israel’s Actions Are a Censored story” (RN&R Letters, May 31) and “Another Letter Criticizing Israel” (RN&R Letters, June 14):

As an ex-Israeli living in Reno, you could imagine my reaction to the two letters in your paper regarding censored stories. Let me assure you that the censored story here is the Palestinians’ constant attempt to destroy Israel, not only by using terror against civilians on a daily basis, but also by using the media.

As a child, one of my best friends was a Palestinian attack survivor. She hid in a closet while two terrorists killed her mother and three siblings (one was a six-week-old infant). My neighbor was a coach who was murdered during the 1972 Olympics in Munich.

Ask: Why do Palestinian citizens cross the border into Israel daily to seek employment and medical care? Why doesn’t Arafat address those issues? I’ll tell you why: This will legitimize him and make him a head of a nation and a diplomat, not a so-called “freedom-fighting underdog,” which he would rather be. Do not be misled! The censored story here is the Palestinians’ hidden agenda against Israel.

Name withheld
Reno

Thanks for the foster care article

Re “Foster Fix” (RN&R News, April 12):

This is a tardy but heartfelt thank you for Deidre Pike’s article, “Foster Fix.” I’ve worked as a court-appointed special advocate, and I’ve seen up close the problems foster kids face. As Ms. Pike so eloquently portrayed, the child welfare system is confusing, frightening and often outright hostile to these kids.

One bright spot is the fact that AB 343, the bill to merge the state and county foster care systems in Washoe and Clark counties, passed—literally in the last seconds of the just-ended legislative session. This was due to vigorous lobbying by many dedicated people and groups. Notable among these was RAIN (Religious Alliance in Nevada) and lobbyist Larry Struve. It was shocking to me that it was so difficult to get this bill through, because at the start of the session, virtually everyone favored it. At the end, it came down to money. I am sorry to note that Sen. Bill Raggio, R-Reno, was ready to sacrifice the welfare of kids for the sake of money.

The other bright spot is the foster parents. I’ve had the privilege to work with the foster mom described in the article. Patty is an amazing woman. Foster families are very special people who deserve every kind of support from the community.

Sheila Freed
Reno

Bring the nuke waste!

Re “Yucca-ed up” (RN&R, June 7):

Deidre Pike’s article further perpetuates the myth that nuclear energy is fatal to America’s future.

I believe the Reno News & Review should research scientific journals and technical papers written by experts in the field of nuclear power/physics. One such scientist is Bernard L. Cohen. He has numerous short papers on nuclear power risks and high-level waste storage. By use of probability risk analysis, it can be shown that nuclear energy is safer than almost all other forms of energy generation (including solar power and hydroelectric power).

In a developed country such as the U.S., thousands of engineers, materials scientists, architects, contractors and regulations can ensure such accidents will most likely never happen. The paradox here is that regulations may be cost- prohibitive for constructing such plants today.

As for the Yucca Mountain Repository: BRING IT ON! I’M NOT AFRAID!

Brad Peters
via e-mail