November 5, 2004/Cheshvan 21 5765, Vol. 57, No. 10
Letters to the EditorNovember 5, 2004
Misinformation on Prop. 200?Editor:Your editorial and opinion piece ("Separate and unequal" and "Prop. 200 not good for Arizonans," Jewish News, Oct. 15) are rife with misinformation. In discussing me, you write that "McKee has an agenda so far to the right as to be off the page." If illegal immigration were not so seriously impacting our economy, national security, education, crime statistics, and health care, this might be humorous. I am not even a Republican. Russell Pearce did not leave Protect Arizona NOW voluntarily. He (was) dismissed by me for ethics problems and questionable campaign finance activities long before Dr. Virginia Abernethy joined PAN. In citing Dr. Abernethy's statement that "ethnic groups are more comfortable with their own kind," you don't address the advent of ethnically separate dorms, proms, clubs, nursing homes, and student unions across America. Nor do you comment on neighborhoods such as Skokie, Ill, Miami Beach, Fla., or Brighton Beach/ Brooklyn, N.Y., where Jewish families have long amassed for a feeling of community. It would appear these separatist neighborhoods and organizations exist for a sense of fraternity and comfort levels. Prop. 200 is not about repressing legal immigration. It just requires proof of citizenship to register to vote, I.D. when voting, and proof of eligibility to receive welfare. Kathy McKee, Chairwoman Protect Arizona NOW Janet Kreisman, who are you?Editor:My wife and I lived in New Jersey for more than 50 years. On 9/11, we saw the smoke rise from New York City 20 miles away from our window in West Orange. After my beloved wife died last October, I moved to Scottsdale to be near family. As a regular contributor to the UJA I receive the New Jersey Jewish News and have seen the full-page ad of Janet Kreisman feeling safe with Bush. I thought she was a New Jersey Democrat. Then I opened the Jewish News of Greater Phoenix and saw her ad again (Oct. 29). Janet Kreisman, who are you? Following the fall of the Twin Towers, Rudy Giuliani, who as New York mayor was known as Mr. Nasty, made speeches, became the darling of the media and was made into a hero. New York Governor George Pataki made a few speeches too. President George W. Bush came down and made a speech surrounded by firemen, who are the real heroes. Now the president has used this tragedy for political purposes and is spreading fear among the people. As a World War II veteran, I resented his arrogant pronouncement of "mission accomplished" in Iraq, while more than 1,000 of our soldiers are dead and many wounded. I am appalled at the administration's ineptness, failure to come clean with the American people and botching up things in Iraq, making reserve and National Guardsman return after serving their time. And Janet Kreisman, you feel safe with Mr. Bush? Get real, Janet Kreisman, "registered Democrat," whoever you are. Samuel Friedman Scottsdale No thanks to no-showsEditor:I recently co-chaired a candidate's congressional forum for the Jewish Community Relations Council, an arm of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. The goal was to hold forums in each congressional district in the metropolitan Phoenix area. All the synagogues we approached were more than happy to open their doors to these forums. Congressional District 2 was the only district where we got 100 percent attendance from the incumbent and challengers. I thank Congressman Trent Franks, Randy Camacho and Powell Gammill, who gave us their time to attend. It was most disappointing to hear from some incumbents and challengers that they could not attend. As voters, is it unreasonable to expect our elected or potentially elected representatives to make themselves available in a multicandidate format before an election to discuss issues that are directly affecting their constituency? Julie Marcus Scottsdale Teen youth group does goodEditor:Thanks for a great article showcasing how members of the Valley's temples participated in giving during the High Holidays ("Tons of Food," Jewish News, Oct. 15). I have been a member of Temple Kol Ami for the past six years. Each year the temple has had a fund-raiser during the High Holidays to collect money and food for the Paradise Valley Food Bank. This past year this mitzvah was delegated to the temple's teen youth group, KATY. Its 40 members collected $4,500 during the holidays and purchased 5,223 pounds of food for the food bank. They themselves purchased the food at a Food City store and stocked the shelves of the food bank. It was a fulfilling experience for them. I was very impressed with the group's dedication to this project. They deserve recognition for their efforts. Joanne Kaye Carefree
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