points of view EDITORIAL BOARD: Publisher: Arthur M. Horwitz Chief Operating Officer: F. Kevin Browett Contributing Editor: Robert Sklar >> Send letters to: letters@thejewishnews.com Editorial ranian Intent rill uta cm urz cfn w.r3 Lill 1.7=c11.1 ill ma cin 1.42 CM Lira cfn Lun Good Time To Review Transportation Plans ma rill ma all ma rill ma cal Ma Persian president cooks up a tainted recipe for world "peace." D isdainful as his remarks were, U.S. dip- lomats were wrong in walking out in protest of the Iranian president's assault on the free world in his address at the United Nations last week. They should have stayed not only to hear what Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had to say — after all, Iran is the most dangerous country in an unstable region — but also dem- onstrate their tactical backbone by unflinchingly standing up to his ridicule, historical revision- ism, baseless accusations and innuendo. He blamed the West for racism, colonialism, drug trafficking, poverty, corruption, godlessness, mass murder and other world ills. In justifying its walk- out, the U.S. delegation to the U.N. General Assembly stated that Ahmadinejad "had a chance to address his own people's aspirations for freedom and dignity, but instead he again turned to abhorrent anti-Semitic slurs and despicable con- spiracy theories." That's true. The tyrant of Tehran is a master at hypocrisy and incitement. But Iran remains a theocratic powder keg. It's the gravest threat to Israel because of its nuclear ambitions as well as its backing of ter- rorist groups such as Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon and emerging powers such as the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. Just this year, Hamas has fired hundreds of rockets into Negev towns. Reminds the Washington-based Israel Project: "Iran is defying four rounds of U.N. sanctions by pursuing an illegal nuclear weapons program. Ahmadinejad maintains that his country's nuclear pursuits are for peaceful purposes, but reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency differ. "A report earlier this month stated the agency is 'increasingly concerned' about 'extensive and comprehensive' information that Iran is clandes- tinely continuing nuclear weapons pursuits!' Religious Undergird Ahmadinejad was re-elected two years ago after rigging the Persian election and ordering pro- democracy protes- tors to be shot. Yet in chameleon-like fashion, he boasted before the U.N. on Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: The Sept. 22 that he, too, longed for and tyrant of Tehran is a master at hypocrisy and incitement. aspired to "peace, progress and frater- nity." Short in stature, but strategically tall in incit- ing hatred toward Islamic non-believers and in stirring support for Iran's ruling clerics, he chastised the West in general, the U.S. in par- ticular and "Zionists" (code for Israeli Jews and their American supporters) for world woes and inequalities. He alluded to Osama bin Laden's killing as part of a cover-up to avert the truth about 9-11 from ever surfacing. Specifically in his annual U.N. address, Ahmadinejad expanded on his 2010 claim that the U.S. orchestrated the 2001 Al Qaida-inspired attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, which killed almost 3,000 people, to cre- ate a climate for invading Afghanistan and Iraq. "Instead of assigning a fact-finding team, they killed the main perpetrator and threw his body into the sea," Ahmadinejad said, referring to the U.S. Navy Seals raid in May on bin Laden's Pakistani hideout. In a bout of delusion, Ahmadinejad said bin Laden should have been brought to trial to discover the truth about 9-11. He argued that Iran and other nations that endorsed the idea of an independent inquiry faced U.S. threats. He pitched the falsehood that the West uses its "imperialistic media network to threaten anyone who questions the Holocaust and the 9-11 event with sanctions and military action!' "Is there any classified information that must be kept secret?" Ahmadinejad asked. Intent on page 37 36 September 29 2011 iN etting around is critical to independent senior life. Whether going to the grocery, the doctor, the drugstore, the synagogue or the Jewish Community Center, getting there helps keep independently mobile seniors in their homes, condos or apartments. The website of Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit (JFS) puts it well: "For an older adult, just getting out can make a world of difference." As the Jewish New Year of 5772 unfolds, it's a per- fect time to take stock of our eldercare transportation strengths and needs here in Jewish Detroit. Obviously, it's important for our community and its leaders to recognize the central role that transportation plays in enabling our seniors to live as independently as possible for as long as possible. As a community, let's reassess our senior transportation planning, including forecasting and funding, to be certain it's strong. Consider the destination prospects: • Health – medical appointments, pharmacy prescrip- tion pickups, therapy (physical and other), hair and nail salons, fitness centers; • Social events/outings – activities, lectures, library visits and programs that offer interaction with others to reduce isolation and provide stimulation and support; • Shopping – for food, clothing, kitchenware, gifts. Because Metro Detroit lacks frequent and dependable public transportation, excellent eldercare mobile ser- vices – under the auspices of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit in collaboration with social service agencies such as Jewish Senior Life (JSL), the JCC and JFS – becomes vital. The goal: assuring shuttle supply adjusts to demand, especially on our two Jewish Community Campuses in West Bloomfield and Oak Park. JFS is the Detroit Jewish community's main transportation service. SMART Connector is a public, advance-reservation, curb-to- curb service in selected areas of Southeast Michigan. Certainly, seniors are precious to the lifeblood of Jewish Detroit. The high percentage of elderly in JSL and in near- by condominium and apartment complexes creates a keen desire for transportation innovations and strategizing to meet changing demographic times. Among Jewish com- munities, we have the highest concentration of seniors in the country outside of south Florida. In fact, 30 percent of Jewish Detroit's population of 65,000 is 60 or older – a percentage that will rise as Baby Boomers age. The matter of seniors getting around will only exac- erbate; it's a subject the JN will delve into during 5772. Thoughtfully reevaluating what options we have to ease the transportation strain makes a lot of sense.