Silver’s Sentence (I)
I was very saddened by the harsh sentence given to former New York Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver (“A Disappointing Lack of Compassion,” editorial, May 13).
For 40 years he worked on behalf of all of us. And for most of those years the print media, with the exception of The Jewish Press, never stopped attacking him. Those of us who lived in his district knew he was working hard on our behalf. As for the numerous Jewish organizations he helped, I waited in vain to see them rally to his side.
So I thank you for the editorial that enumerated some of the many ways we benefited from his years as speaker. A good friend of mine certainly knows this, as she got her Get as a result of the New York State Get law that Silver was responsible for enacting.
I share your hope that he will be exonerated upon appeal.
Amy Wall
New York, NY
Silver’s Sentence (II)
Sheldon Silver certainly did a lot of good things for the Jewish community and others. As Jews, we were all proud of him for holding the second most important political position in New York State.
Regardless of whether the crimes he allegedly committed are the whole truth and nothing but, a person holding such a high position in government – even more so an Orthodox Jew – should be beyond reproach.
I am neither judge nor jury but hearing the charges against Silver was enough to make one’s blood go cold and, more so, it was an embarrassment for the entire Orthodox community. I am very sorry this happened, but I do believe that where there is smoke there is fire.
Perhaps it was because of Mr. Silver previous good deeds that the judge did not impose the far longer term she could have under sentencing guidelines.
This is a very sad story, for the community but mostly for Silver’s family.
Hindy Kierman
(Via E-Mail)
London’s New Mayor
Re “London’s New Muslim Mayor Attends Holocaust Memorial” (news story, May 13):
I know nothing about the background of London’s new Muslim mayor. However, if, as I suspect is the case, he is not an anti-Semite, I suggest his election is a good opportunity to try to work with and cultivate someone who can open bridges to London’s Muslim community.
Certainly, that his first official act was attending a Yom HaShoah ceremony shows he is willing to go up against those Muslims who deny the Holocaust. This is a very good beginning.
Yocheved Weiss
Jerusalem
Source Of Confusion
Yes, Palestinians sure are confused (“Those Poor, Confused Palestinians,” op-ed, May 13).
What confuses them is that although their side decisively lost several wars designed to exterminate the Jews of Israel, they were not made to understand that they would have to accept whatever they could get as the losers and build their state accordingly.
The promises the international community made to the Palestinians that Israel would not be allowed to take full advantage of its military triumphs – which would be consistent with the lessons of history – is what made the Palestinians a confused lot indeed.
Mel Aronson
(Via E-mail)
Selling The Iran Deal (I)
Reading your May 13 editorial “Netanyahu Was Right on Iran Deal” together with the front-page news story “Key Obama Adviser: We Misled Nation to Sell Iran Nuclear Deal,” it becomes clear there was a huge abdication of responsibility by members of Congress who had misgivings about the deal but did not press the issue and seek all the facts.
It is also clear that many in the liberal media blended news and opinion in presenting the agreement as the best deal possible while rejecting the notion that it would be a disaster.
