Letters to the editor

A balancing act with Hamas

Re "The false hope of embracing Hamas," Opinion, April 19

Finding excuses not to talk to Hamas is a failed strategy. You need to negotiate with your enemies and not your friends. Isolating Hamas will further radicalize the group and cost more lives among Israelis and Palestinians. Jimmy Carter may well fail in his attempt to start a dialogue with Hamas, but at least he is trying. After all, he is the only president who was able to achieve peace between some Arab countries and Israel. Why not give him a chance?

John Youssef

Woodland Hills



Because Hamas continues to provoke Israeli military incursions into Gaza, resulting in further Palestinian suffering, one can conclude that its hatred of Israel is stronger than its love of Palestinians. The civilized world does the Palestinian cause a favor by shunning this criminal enterprise.

Scott Meyers

Hollywood



Carter was told by many people that such a meeting would hurt, not help, the peace process, but he stubbornly insisted he knew better. How like him. Perhaps if he had not made the Iranian hostages the centerpiece of his administration, he might have had a second administration, because it was his many months of negotiating that finally freed them, although Ronald Reagan took credit.

I proudly voted for him twice, but his failure of memory and judgment calls into question the value of his forays into international politics. It is time to retire, Mr. President.

Joanne Minsky

San Francisco



Re "Palestinian militants attack a key Gaza border crossing," April 20

The Times failed to mention that the attack took place just hours before the Passover holiday. Perhaps had there been an Israeli Defense Forces incursion into Gaza hours before a Muslim holiday, mention would have been made near the lead.

Daniel J. Lubin

Rancho Palos Verdes

Don't punish college students

Re "Hardship predicted for students," April 17

Why would state budget cuts mean reducing 27,000 students? Can't we just ask the well-paid professors to teach a third class each quarter? Can't these academics be asked to increase their student contact hours? What is it now: Professors have to meet with students, either in office hours or in class, only 15 hours a week? That doesn't sound too bad to the rest of us taxpaying working stiffs.

Alex Taylor