What choices did Israel have?

In his latest rant, Walt Zlotow, a local operative in the Democratic party, attacked our president for lying to Helen Thomas about Israel's nuclear arsenal. Walt also made the usual "progressive" comments about Israel using some of our aid money to pack millions of Palestinians into the Gaza Strip. Guess what? Israel left Gaza years ago, leaving behind facilities for the people to feed themselves, and opened the Israeli border to provide them with jobs. In return, Israel was rewarded with rocket and grenade attacks. Israel had no choice. They would close the border and when attacked again and again, retaliate against those launching the rockets. The world has not forgotten the people of Gaza, but the people of Gaza have forgotten how to be a part of the world. Instead, they are being held hostage by Hamas and radical Islam. If they are poor or suffer bombardment, it is because of Hamas, not Israel nor the U.S.

Zlotow heaped praise on Jimmy Carter, someone whose presidency was worse than that of George Bush. Carter loved double digits. He had double-digit unemployment and double-digit inflation. The Carter years were tough for anyone who believed in working hard to make life easier for their family, friends and neighbors. It got so bad, that I believe Barney Frank must have been in the Carter administration, when the current mortgage crisis began. Most of us knew that it wouldn't be long before President Obama had to join the real world and deal with world events. He didn't make a pact with the devil, but I can't say the same for Walt Zlotow and his progressives.

Rich Wegel

West Chicago