Letters Positive Reinforcement After reading Harry Kirsbaum's column "The Party's Over" (Feb. 9, page 8), I must say that he seems like a very negative person or maybe just negative about Detroit. It's sad to see that he couldn't say anything positive about the place he calls home. I find that many Metro Detroiters sometimes take on this very pessimistic attitude about Detroit while visitors can't under- stand why anyone would continu- ally put down their own city! The basic idea in this column was that Detroit put on a fake show regarding the Super Bowl to cover up all the bad. Obviously, Mr. Kirsbaum hasn't spent much time in downtown lately! Downtown streets were much more than "repaved." Streets and streetscapes were completely rebuilt. Did you even see Washington Boulevard or Woodward pre-Super Bowl era? Fifty of the 70 new storefronts near Ford Field are empty? I don't know where you're looking, but in the last couple of years, 30-plus new restaurants, bars and cafes have opened; many, many more are getting ready to open (yes, even after the Super Bowl). What about the 1,000-plus new lofts that have been built out of abandoned buildings with many suburbanites moving into them? . Mr. Kirsbaum acts as if no one will go skating at Campus Martius again. The ice skating rink is busy nightly and packed on weekends; many of the people are from the suburbs. I moved downtown in May from West Bloomfield; it defi- nitely has been one of the best decisions I have made. I'd invite you and much of the Jewish com- munity to join me so we can rebuild the city that started this Jewish.com "C'est Levee": Jewish parade crews lampoon themselves for Mardi Gras. Read about it on Iewish.com 6 March 2 • 2006 Jewish community. What will it take to bring them back? People focusing on the posi- tive by waking and seeing all the change that is happening and hap- pened pre and post-Super Bowl! Bryan Hamburger Detroit A Dubious Leader In 2002, President George W. Bush declared that Russian President Vladimir Putin was a man he could trust. President Bush stated, "I looked the man in the eye and I was able to get a sense of his sour Despite the fact that Hamas ter- rorists have brutally targeted and killed hundreds of innocent Israeli women and children, have vowed to destroy Israel, are classified by the U.S., the European Union and others as a terrorist organization, Putin invited Hamas leaders to Moscow for talks ("Russia's Risky Business',' Feb. 16, page 34). Putin affirmed, "We have never consid- ered Hamas a terrorist organiza- tion:' Putin continues to defend Russia's sale of nuclear technology to Iran and the sale of anti-aircraft missiles to Syria. Based on Russia's actions, it is clear that Putin is not a sincere partner in the war against terrorism. President Bush should remove his rose-colored glasses when judging the character of dubious world leaders. Raymond Dubin Farmington Hills goes after the 2010 census will be in addition to the representative already lost after the 2000 census. Michigan, Indiana and Mississippi each lost one; California gained those three because of the millions of illegals living there. Because there is a fixed number of representatives, 435, gains by some states become losses to oth- ers. California now has 53 repre- sentatives, Michigan only 15. With fewer representatives, we are weak- er regarding legislation helpful to Michigan. Illegal immigration is under the control of Congress and the presi- dent. Most of us know little of the positions our elected officials take regarding 0 0 this fundamental issue of representation. Knowing the positions of our senators is partic- ularly important because the U.S. Senate will shortly debate and vote on its version of an immigration bill. Some say we need "a compre- hensive solution',' which is code for not wanting to do anything until everything is done, including amnesty That prescription for delay would allow the problem to fester. To get Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow to become strongly proactive against illegal immigration, which hurts Michigan, the very state they rep- resent and a state that needs all the help it can get, write, call and visit their offices to insist that they work to pass a bill that will stop illegal immigration and stop the benefits to illegals. Stop The Illegals Plaudits to Columnist George Cantor for pointing out the adverse effect of illegal immigration on Michigan's representation in Congress ("Less Than A Man," Feb 2, page 37). Whatever loss of rep- resentatives that Michigan under- dotCOM SURVEY Herbert D. Sherbin, M.D. Farmington Hills Heartfelt Sounds It was good to read that Temple Beth-El in Bloomfield Township has installed a system that allows people at home to hear services Last Week's Results A recent U.S. poll by the Institute for Public Opinion found that two-thirds of Americans believe New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton will run for president, but only one-third believe she can win. Do you think a woman candidate can win the 2008 presidency? Is the Internet your primary source for Jewish information? To vote, click on INonline.us Yes 51% No - 49% - and special programs ("Shabbat For Shut-Ins:' Feb. 9, page 11). At Congregation B'nai Moshe, we have used such a system for more than three years and know the benefits to our members. These past High Holidays, two of our members were unable to physically attend our services. However, they both were able to be part of the service by dialing in. One commented that he was able to concentrate and felt his prayers were more meaningful yet not apart from the congregation. The aunt of one of our bat mitzvahs had just given birth to a daughter and, because of the dial-in service, she was able to participate in this simchah. Recently, we held a memorial service for Leonard Wanetik, a past president of B'nai Moshe, who was buried in Israel. His family and friends who live elsewhere were able to hear the speeches given by his children, friends and Rabbi Elliot Pachter. It means so much when a syna- gogue can reach out to include all its members in meaningful activi- ties, especially services, even if they are homebound. We urge other congregations to consider installing similar systems. Sharlene Ungar, executive director Congregation B'nai Moshe West Bloomfield Islam can easily recognize the wolf in sheep's clothing: The rioters are not motivated by hurt feelings but by a need to see the world subju- gated to Islamic law, which does not allow depiction of Muhammad. The Koran commands the forced subjugation of unbelievers along with a punishment tax "Jizya" intended to weaken the unbelievers' resistance in 9:29. This recipe has led to a slow cul- tural genocide of all other religions in all Muslim-dominated coun- tries. It is important to understand that submission, not just contri- tion, is the goal; this is why the riots continue despite numerous calls for respect of their principles. Mr. Begg tells us what he thinks Muhammad would do today, but history gives us a different answer. Muhammad's battle plan is to infiltrate while putting on a peace- ful facade, outbreed the host and then subjugate the host after they grow strong enough. When the Jewish tribe of Qurayza resisted subjugation, under Muhammad's oversight, the men were forced to dig their own graves before being beheaded. Their wives and daugh- ters were kept as sex slaves. Read in the context of the com- plete Koran, Mr. Begg's altruistic- sounding quotations clearly do not apply to those who reject Islam. Dennis L.. Green Behind The Riots The letter from Victor Ghalib Begg of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan appears to be showing apprecia- tion for the IN criticism of the Muhammad cartoons ("Cartoons' Aftermath;' Feb. 23, page 6). If that were his motive, the homily on the Koran would not be necessary. Those of us who have actually read the Koran and the history of Farmington Hills Shoah Trivialized The IN quoted Stephen Reverand, Discovery Channel vice president, criticizing remarks made by a for- mer Mossad agent interviewed in the Discovery Channel's new docu- mentary"Munich: The Real Assassins" ("Hearing From Letters on page 8 How to Send Letters We prefer letters relating to JN articles. We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Letters of 225 words or less are considered first. Longer ones will be subject to trimming. Letter writers are limited in frequency of publication. Letters must be original and contain the name, address and title of the writer and a day phone number. Non-electronic copies must be hand signed. Send letters to the JN: 29200 Northwestern Highway, Suite 110, Southfield, MI 48034; fax (248) 304-8885; e-mail, letters@the jewishnews.com . We prefer e-mail.