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January 18, 2002/5 Shevat 5762, Vol. 54, No.18
Letters to the EditorJanuary 18, 2002
Won't take the callEditor:Should I receive a call like one described in your commentary "Wait! Please don't hang up" (Jewish News, Jan. 11), regarding Jewish demographics, I would have hung up before the caller had completed his long-winded introduction. Here are my reasons: 1. Who is "ICR" and what are they hiding behind this "Alphabet Soup?" 2. I am not interested in adding to the verbiage generated by the U.S. Census. 3. What do they really want? By the time I would have hung up in frustration, I still would not know that this a Jewish community study in which I may want to participate and not a disguised sales pitch, with which I get regularly inundated. Maybe the promoters may be interested in my reaction. Martin Selling Phoenix Comments misunderstoodEditor:Regarding Barry Cohen's story "Don't take the bait" (Jewish News, Jan. 4), I was surprised at Cohen's analysis of what I said on the (David) Leibowitz show. The story said, "Eppinger has fallen into the trap of blaming the victim for the Sept. 11 attacks. In doing so, he shifts blame from both the perpetrators and from nations that cultivate terrorism. ... He (Eppinger) and other community leaders must learn to recognize misinformation and refuse to take the bait that we are responsible for what happened Sept. 11." When Mr. Leibowitz asked me, "Are you arguing bin Laden may have had a point in attacking America?" and I answered "Precisely," I was not justifying bin Laden's actions. I was saying he must have been trying to send a dramatic message to us. This tragic experience for Americans can be a time to reflect and improve ourselves as a nation. We need to work to abolish all racism. We need to help the people in Third- and Fourth-World countries. We must find ways to handle conflicts in non-violent ways. If that is "taking the bait," so be it. I see it as seeking to be an American who desires to make my country the best it can be. Paul Eppinger The Arizona Ecumenical Council Remember other honoreeEditor:Thank you for honoring me with such a wonderful article ("Washington beckons teen," Jewish News, Jan. 11). I would like the community to know that I am one of two students who will be participating in the Senate Youth Program this March. Spencer Scharff, who will be graduating this spring from Chaparral High School and Hebrew High, will also be representing Arizona and the Jewish community. Jacob Reuben Phoenix
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