OPINION GAs MASK from page 37 Christopher Gerard JEWELLERS walk by them, glance at the goods for a moment or two, then move on. Even if most of us aren't rushing out to replenish our supply of "air raid supplies," this is not to say that we are unaffected by the current tension. It influences us as individuals because it adds to the cumulative tension with which we have to contend day after day, year after year. Moreover, it costs us, as a country, a great deal of money. The tourism industry, which was just recovering from past periods of uncer- tainty, is back in the dumps again because travel companies are flying their customers out of the country and canceling future tours. Moreover, the emergency call-up of reservists to man anti-aircraft batteries and civil defense centers means that thousands of peo- ple can't do their regular jobs. Also worthy of note is that the mass pro-Saddam demonstrations of Palestinian Arabs (and some Israeli Arabs, too) have further undermined our belief in the already faltering peace process. "How can we ever reach agreement with people who look upon the Iraqi dictator as their hero and potential savior," even peaceniks are asking themselves. At a more fundamental level, the fiery rhetoric about the eventual fate of "the Zionist entity" that is emanat- ing from Baghdad and elsewhere in the Middle East reminds all of us that Israel is the only country in the world whose neighbors threaten to wipe it off the face of the earth, and whose citizens must keep gas masks at home, even for their guests. I 1 GEMOLOGISTS Named by Jewellers of America Voted by Metro Times AMERICAN DESIGNER OF THE YEAR, R.U. BEST JEWELLER IN DETROIT Finely Crafted Jewellery from Detroit's Premier Platinumsmith/Designer GIA Certified Diamonds • Handcrafted Platinum Works Estate Jewellry • Collection Quality Colored Gemstones Christopher Gerard 28001 SOUTHFIELD AT 11 1/2 MILE LATHRUP VILLAGE, MI 48076 (248) 443-0220 • FAX (248) 443-0726 Temporary G.O.B. Lisc. #101566 Letters Policy We reserve the right to edit let- ters. They should be limited to approximately 350 words. Dead- line for consideration is 10 a.m. Tuesday for Friday's edition. Letters should be typewritten and double spaced. They must contain the full name of the writer and a daytime telephone. Include the town of residence or employment of the writer as well as a position or title, if appropriate. Original copies must be hand signed. Letters can be mailed or brought to The Jewish News at 27676 Franklin Rd., Southfield, MI 48034; faxed to (248) 354- 6069; or e-mail to: 30%-75% reduction on original prices on selected merchandise El • E Inside Orchard Mall • Orchard Lake Road North of Maple • (248) 626-0886 Previous sales & layaways excluded TheDJN@AOL.COM . 1/1 199 Detroit Jewish News 3f