Letters for Sunday, August 17, 2025
dailygazette.com -- Sunday, August 17, 2025, 2:58:02 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Categories: Republican Party Politics, Trade Policy & Tariffs, Foreign Policy & International Relations
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Hamas to blame for destruction in Gaza
In his Aug. 8 letter, ("Where's the outrage over Gaza slaughter?") Richard W. Lewis, Jr refers to Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel as a "stupid decision." Would he also refer to Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, as a "stupid decision?" Both of these attacks were in fact "acts of war" not "stupid decisions." Acts of war typically lead to dire consequences.
During World War II, between 670,000 and 800,000 Japanese civilians died. This estimate includes deaths from conventional bombing raids, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and disease. The attack by Japan resulted in catastrophic losses in Japan, just as the attack by Hamas is resulting in catastrophic losses in Gaza.
Japan ended the war and the misery of its population by surrendering on Sept. 2, 1945. Hamas could similarly end the misery of civilians in Gaza by surrendering and returning the remaining hostages. However, Hamas seems committed to martyring every civilian in Gaza in its desire to destroy Israel.
Mr. Lewis calls Benjamin Netanyahu a "war criminal." Would he also call former President Harry S. Truman a "war criminal" for deciding to drop the atomic bombs on Japan?
The United States was responsible for dropping the atomic bombs on Japan. However Japan is to blame for the destruction in its country. Likewise, Israel is responsible for much of the destruction in Gaza. However Hamas is to blame for this destruction.
Don Steiner
Silver Spring, MD
(formerly of Niskayuna)
Phones, coffee, pizza and other essentials
Time to take the other fork in the road and let politics strangle itself. Here goes...
New Schenectady: Saw this on an I-890 billboard recently. Got me wondering, is this just about lower State Street, and from there, everything else north and south? Would the upper dissed streets be called "Old Schenectady?"
Fireside Pizza: Selfishly about my dating days. I'm hopeful this Eastern Parkway haunt sees a future with new ownership. Had great pizza and a fun vibe in the 80's.
Kids and phones: If I'm a kid walking into school and have to give up my phone every day I'm not liking it. However, good grades and being socially mature have a connection (pun intended.)
Starbucks: I appreciate a good traffic study. Despite drink offerings that require a bank loan, this brand is not a death sentence for anyone in the java game near Erie Boulevard.
Food prices: Every market big or small attempts to put items "on sale" that more resemble the prices of 2020. Wink, wink!
Comic cons: One of these days I will attend one because they look like nerdy fun. With so many smaller venues, I'm just a little concerned it may get over saturated real quick.
Jen Powal: She recently became the first female ump behind the MLB plate. How do you reconcile with a player or manager in a heated disagreement? Flowers? Dinner? Hallmark movie?
Driving 25: If I get stopped in any city, town, or village doing "27," we're gonna have problems.
Dave Barnes
Rotterdam
Massive data centers don't promote growth
New Yorkers are being misled. In recent years, applications have been made to construct data centers that would consume vast amounts of water and electricity.
One near Syracuse would use more electricity than Vermont and New Hampshire combined.
In recent months, the governor and her allies have promoted constructing new nuclear power stations.
Gigantic data centers and inherently dangerous and potentially catastrophic nuclear stations are capital intensive centralized technologies owned by very large corporations.
Data centers and their associated artificial intelligence are touted as economic growth engines, but many fear these technologies will facilitate the elimination of more than one-third of white collar jobs.
Even three nuclear stations have not brought widespread prosperity to Oswego County.
Much of upstate New York has been economically depressed for decades. Gargantuan data centers and new nuclear stations will not reverse this reality and may intensify it by diverting investment funds away from better alternatives.
We need economic development that generates long-lasting widespread prosperity. Constructing solar and geothermal energy on existing and new buildings will create good jobs and maybe revitalize our cities and towns.
New York has many residents -- especially men -- who would benefit from a building trades career modernizing their communities. Their children could sustain this work.
Instead of pouring what will likely be tens of billions of dollars of subsidies into data centers and new and old nukes, let's reinvigorate New York with decentralized locally owned safe energy.
Tom Ellis
Albany
Welcome strategic plan for Sch'dy library
I am pleased to learn that the Schenectady County Public Library (SCPL) has retained an independent consultant to develop a strategic plan to best serve the Schenectady public.
I was one of the many people who thought that such a plan should have been adopted prior to the library's decision to withdraw from the Joint Automation Project (JA) that has caused so many complaints since.
I trust that that decision will now be examined with the resulting analysis transparently shared with the public.
The significant expenses incurred for this withdrawal should not influence the decision to proceed with the course of action established prior to the study.
I appreciate the Schenectady County Legislature for supporting the development of this plan.
Richard Werner
Schenectady
Republicans need to wake up about Trump
Each day brings us another episode of the Trump show.
It's no Fellini movie. It's more on the level of a Batman adventure, one that doesn't keep you guessing who the bad guys are.
Despite inciting a riot to overturn a fair election and committing other crimes, Trump has captured the U.S. government and rules by edict, often without regard to presidential norms or constitutional law.
And he's hired a cast of Batman villains for his cabinet and key government positions, all loyal to his whims. Retribution is his game. Intimidation is his method.
Though without a feckless Republican Party, Trump is but a hot air balloon. Ever since Kevin McCarthy, then Speaker of the House, visited Mar-a-Lago and blessed Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, riot, the party has obsequiously bowed to their king.
New York state and local Republicans, some fearful of primary challenges, kowtow to Trump's inane whims.
Rep. Elise Stefanik, who has teased about running for governor of New York, supported Trump's riot and all his lies about fraud in the 2020 election. She and the rest of the party own his lies. They own the Gestapo-like deportations, a substantial majority of which are non-criminals. They own the attacks of the media, universities, and political opponents. They own the pinball tariff game Trump plays. They own the Big Beautiful Bill that cuts healthcare and other vital programs so that Trump's billionaire buddies can make more money.
The Joker has taken control of Gotham, folks. Republicans, awaken.
Al Singer
Ballston Spa
Trump's mercenaries threaten local rule
ICE is a bunch of mercenary masked thugs hired by Trump to be his national police force.
It's a ruse as to them picking up illegal aliens. It's a soft way of them being Trump's hench men. It's beyond me how the National Police Conference and other police conferences have not stepped forward and spoken out against ICE. It's only a matter of time where local rule will become extinct. People are fools and ignorant as to not see what's going on.
Richard Moran
Scotia
Drug dealers rely on customers to prosper
I am an old-timer by any standard and I have heard persistently during my entire life stories that try to convey a weepy sorrow and sympathy for drug addicts and deep outrage at drug dealers and drug "cartels."
A drug dealer is a person who aggressively pursues profit without regard to the harm their product may cause. This sounds like your average CEO to me, except for the inconvenience of the law.
A drug dealer, or cartel, family size or giant armed corporation size, is filling an economic need.
The source of the underground and organized criminal economy is the demand generated by your almost average American drug addict. Equal economic opportunity is far more effective at discouraging drug use and the drug business than more money spent on a militarized "war on drugs."
The drug users won the war long ago. The real reason we have drug dealers thriving is not because people like crime, but because Americans buy alcohol and drugs like cookies and pizza. No demand, no business. No users, no dealers.
John M. Medeiros
Schenectady
Sign Our PetitionThe recent letter discussing the situation in Gaza and the actions of Hamas presents a perspective that is prevalent in many discussions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is crucial to recognize that framing geopolitical conflicts through a lens of historical parallels can often oversimplify complex situations. The comparison between Hamas's actions and Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, while drawing parallels of wartime decisions, fails to account for the unique historical and sociopolitical contexts that shape the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Understanding these dynamics is essential for engaging in informed discussions about the ongoing violence and suffering in Gaza.
The letter's author suggests that Hamas's actions are akin to a "stupid decision," invoking a historical narrative that implies a moral equivalence between aggressors and victims. This characterization ignores the historical context of Palestinian resistance, which is rooted in decades of occupation, displacement, and systemic oppression. Since the Nakba in 1948, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forcibly displaced, the Palestinian struggle has been one of seeking dignity, autonomy, and justice. The narrative that frames Hamas solely as the aggressor overlooks the broader context of Israeli state policies, including settlement expansions, military occupations, and the blockade of Gaza, which have created dire humanitarian conditions for the Palestinian population.
Moreover, the letter's argument that Hamas could end the suffering in Gaza by surrendering fails to acknowledge the power dynamics at play. Surrendering in the face of overwhelming military force does not equate to a viable solution for the people of Gaza, who are trapped in a cycle of violence with limited avenues for legitimate self-determination. The idea that Hamas should simply relinquish its control without addressing the underlying systemic injustices faced by Palestinians perpetuates a narrative that disregards their agency and right to fight against oppression. The continued violence in the region cannot be resolved by demanding unilateral concessions from one side while ignoring the historical and present injustices faced by the other.
In terms of international responsibility, the letter raises the question of accountability by comparing Israeli actions to those of the United States during World War II. Yet, this comparison invites a deeper investigation into the roles of imperialism and military intervention in shaping global conflicts. The use of atomic bombs by the United States was not only a decision steeped in the context of war but also a reflection of the broader geopolitical strategy of maintaining dominance. Similarly, the Israeli state's military operations in Gaza must be understood within the context of U.S. support for Israel, which has consistently provided military aid and political backing, thus complicating the narrative of individual culpability. U.S. foreign policy has historically favored the maintenance of a military alliance with Israel, often at the expense of Palestinian rights and self-determination.
Finally, it is vital to engage in this conversation with a critical understanding of the effects of such conflicts on civilian populations. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is exacerbated by blockades and military actions that have resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians, including women and children. Framing the discourse around the actions of Hamas alone, without a thorough examination of the impact of Israeli policies, risks dehumanizing those affected by the violence and reinforces narratives that justify continued military aggression. Advocating for peace and justice in the region requires recognizing the humanity of all people involved, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of conflict, and advocating for a just resolution that prioritizes the rights and dignity of Palestinians alongside Israelis.
In conclusion, while discussions about conflict often invoke historical analogies, it is essential to approach them with nuance and an awareness of the complexities involved. The situation in Gaza necessitates a critical examination of power dynamics, historical injustices, and the humanitarian crises that arise from ongoing violence. By grounding our conversations in historical contexts and advocating for the rights of all individuals affected by conflict, we can move toward a more just and equitable resolution that acknowledges the dignity and humanity of both Palestinians and Israelis.
The article in question reflects a deeply polarized discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly in light of the recent attacks and subsequent military actions in Gaza. It is imperative to approach such a complex issue with nuance and an understanding of the historical context that has shaped the current landscape. The way we frame these discussions can either perpetuate cycles of violence or contribute to a more informed and empathetic dialogue. The assertion that Hamas is solely responsible for the destruction in Gaza oversimplifies the dynamics at play and neglects the broader narrative of colonialism, oppression, and resistance that characterizes the Palestinian struggle.
To understand the current situation, one must acknowledge the historical injustices faced by the Palestinian people, dating back to the establishment of Israel in 1948, which led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians—a tragedy known as the Nakba, or "catastrophe." This legacy of dispossession and ongoing occupation has fostered a sense of despair and helplessness among Palestinians, driving some toward militant actions as a form of resistance against a heavily militarized state that has systematically marginalized them. While any act of violence, including attacks on civilians, warrants condemnation, it is crucial to recognize the context in which these actions occur. Framing Hamas's actions without addressing the historical grievances they stem from risks perpetuating a narrative that absolves the Israeli state from its role in the suffering of the Palestinian people.
The article also draws a parallel between the actions of Hamas and historical military acts, such as Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. While this analogy may serve to illustrate the dire consequences of warfare, it fails to capture the asymmetry of power in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The comparison overlooks the fact that Israel is a nuclear-armed state with a robust military, while Gaza is a densely populated territory subjected to a blockade that severely restricts the movement of people and goods. This power imbalance is fundamental to understanding the conflict and should be central to any meaningful discussion about accountability and justice.
As concerned citizens, it is crucial to take action that promotes a more equitable and just resolution to this conflict. We must advocate for a shift in U.S. foreign policy that prioritizes human rights and supports a genuine peace process, one that recognizes the rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians. This includes calling for an end to military aid to Israel that is used to oppress Palestinian communities and supporting initiatives that promote dialogue and reconciliation. Engaging in grassroots movements, educating ourselves and others about the complexities of the conflict, and amplifying the voices of those directly affected by the violence can contribute to a more informed public discourse.
Moreover, we can leverage our positions within our communities and social networks to challenge reductive narratives that demonize one side while exonerating the other. Encouraging critical conversations that acknowledge the multifaceted nature of the conflict can foster empathy and understanding among individuals from differing backgrounds. By promoting a narrative that emphasizes peace, justice, and mutual recognition, we can work toward a future where both Israelis and Palestinians can coexist in dignity and security. The path to peace is fraught with challenges, but through collective action and informed advocacy, we can contribute to a new era of accountability and reconciliation.
Based on the themes presented in the article, here’s a detailed list of ways to engage in advocacy and promote awareness regarding the ongoing situation in Gaza and the broader implications of conflict in the region:
### What You Can Personally Do
1. **Educate Yourself and Others**: - Read books and articles on the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Share your knowledge with friends and family to raise awareness. - Follow reputable news sources that provide balanced coverage of the conflict. - Attend community discussions or lectures on the matter.
2. **Support Humanitarian Organizations**: - Donate to organizations that provide aid to civilians affected by conflict, such as Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) or the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). - Volunteer your time or skills to local organizations that support refugees or advocate for peace.
3. **Engage in Activism**: - Join or support local advocacy groups that focus on peace and justice in the region. This might include attending rallies, organizing events, or participating in peaceful protests.
### Exact Actions to Take
1. **Sign and Share Petitions**: - Find petitions that call for an end to violence and the protection of civilians. Platforms like Change.org or Care2 often have relevant petitions. - Example: Petition calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid access to Gaza. Search for specific titles online or create your own if needed.
2. **Write to Elected Officials**: - **Who to Write**: Reach out to your senators and representatives, urging them to push for policies that prioritize peace and humanitarian aid. - **Example Contacts**: - **Senator [Name]**: - Email: [Senator's Email] - USPS: [Senator’s Office Address] - **Representative [Name]**: - Email: [Representative's Email] - USPS: [Representative’s Office Address] - You can find these contacts via the official U.S. Congress website.
3. **What to Say**: - Express your concern about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. - Request that they advocate for policies promoting a peaceful resolution and humanitarian assistance. - Suggest they support legislation that ensures aid reaches civilians in conflict zones.
**Sample Message**: ``` Dear [Elected Official's Name], I am writing to express my deep concern about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The loss of civilian lives is heartbreaking, and I urge you to advocate for policies that prioritize peace and the delivery of humanitarian aid. It is imperative that the U.S. government support initiatives aimed at protecting civilians and working towards a sustainable resolution to the conflict. Thank you for your attention to this pressing issue. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address] [Your Email] ```
4. **Utilize Social Media**: - Use platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to share information, raise awareness, and mobilize others. - Initiate conversations about the situation using relevant hashtags (e.g., #GazaCrisis, #PeaceInTheMiddleEast).
5. **Attend Local Meetings**: - Participate in town hall meetings or community forums where issues surrounding foreign policy and humanitarian crises are discussed. - Engage with community leaders to promote educational events focused on global conflicts and their local implications.
6. **Host Informational Sessions**: - Organize or participate in discussion groups or workshops that focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Invite speakers who can provide different perspectives on the issue.
By taking these actions, you can contribute to a broader movement advocating for peace, awareness, and humanitarian aid in response to the ongoing crises affecting civilians in conflict zones. Each effort, no matter how small, can help amplify the call for justice and compassion.