Letters to the editor
Readers respond
All in for Harris/Walz
I understand why some of my fellow Jewish Democrats are upset and disappointed that Kamala Harris chose Tim Walz to be her running mate (“Kamala Harris selects Tim Walz, pro-Israel Minnesota governor, as her running mate,” Aug. 9). I am a Democratic committeewoman in Squirrel Hill and a longstanding supporter of Josh Shapiro. I even stepped far outside my financial comfort zone to co-host a fundraiser in Pittsburgh when he launched his run for governor. I am beyond disgusted by the slurs launched against our brilliant and effective governor, some of them inarguably antisemitic, and I am pained by any traction they may have gotten.
Nonetheless, I am thrilled that Vice President Harris chose Gov. Walz, and very proud of Gov. Shapiro for throwing his full support behind the team. I hope we all follow his lead.
Tim Walz is an impressive and accomplished public servant. Equally important, winning in November is the urgent goal of all Democrats and supporters of democracy, overriding every other consideration. I believe Harris/Walz will get us there.
I am more than fine with our next president being a woman of color, but let’s be honest: Many would-be voters are nervous. A white Christian man whom they — as well as those of us who share his values, though maybe not his religion or experience — can feel comfortable and identify with creates a winning ticket.
I’ll be delighted to support Shapiro for president in future.
Michele Feingold
Pittsburgh
Is there even a bridge?
Ivan Frank’s letter “Fetterman has gone a ‘bridge too far’” (Aug. 9) presents a critical opinion about Sen. John Fetterman’s support for arms to Israel and the senator’s doubts at this time about the possibility and validity of a two-state solution. Mr. Frank’s criticism, and the premise of his accusation that Fetterman has gone a bridge too far, is that Fetterman’s position enables and assists Israel’s right-wing government to avoid a cease-fire and provide aid to the Gazans, and a laundry list of other issues that the left always tosses out to try to show how bad Israel’s actions are.
I do not recall the senator saying he was against aid that supports Gazans or that he favors reoccupation of Gaza. Fetterman supports President Biden’s efforts to provide aid and reach a cease-fire. The senator has shown courage since Oct. 7 by saying this horrible situation ends if all the hostages are released and Hamas — the aggressor — surrenders.
The bigger issue is the false accusation that the lack of a two-state solution is due to an extremist right-wing Israeli government. After the murders, rapes and kidnapping of Oct. 7, which included many peace activists in Kibbutz Be-eri and other Gaza envelope towns, the majority of Israeli citizens question the possibility of a two-state solution. Hamas continues to show its commitment to the destruction of Israel and its bloodlust to kill Jews. Then there is the corrupt, dictatorial and two-faced Palestinian Authority, whose very survival is questionable if challenged by Hamas.
The issue is not a bridge too far, but rather, with Hamas and the PA in control, is there even a possibility to build a bridge for two states? Hamas destroyed the concept of seeking a path to a two-state solution.
Rocky Wice
Squirrel Hill
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