A recent letter writer, defending Israel's position, writes "if the Palestinians led by Hamas and Fatah were to declare and act upon the proposition that Israel has a right to live as a Jewish state in secure borders and with a peaceful Palestinian state side-by-side, the conflict could end tomorrow" ("Arab radicals undermine co-existence," Letters, @issue, May 14).

In March 2002, the Arab states, led by Saudi Arabia, introduced a peace plan that called for Israeli withdrawal from all territories occupied since 1967 and return of Palestinian refugees to Israel in return for recognition of Israel and normal relations. The plan was rejected by Israel. Just last January, the 22-nation Arab League revived the plan by omitting the return of refugees to Israel, offering Israel full normalization of relations in return for full withdrawal from occupied Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese land. Once again, the Israelis shunned the offer.

It's not the Arabs who are obstacles to peace, it's Israel. Extending Israel's borders and confiscating more Palestinian land while portraying themselves as the victims is the main objective of the Jewish state. But the systematic psychological conditioning by Israeli supporters have American people believing the opposite.

JAMES J. DAVID

David, of Marietta, is a retired Army brigadier general and former commander with the 101st Airborne Division, Vietnam 1969-1970.

Fast lanes about 'price elasticity'

In response to Russell Grantham's article "N.Y. company selected to run fast airport lines," (Business, May 13): As a regular of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, it can't be too soon to install fast lanes, and yes, I am willing and able to pay $100 for the service. Grantham points out that airlines are concerned about competition with their own fast lanes and "other opponents say the lines discriminate against travelers who can't afford the fees." If the problem is price discrimination, then let's make sure all airport parking is the same price, since this is also price discrimination. We should also look at preferential treatment given all those road warriors on Delta's Frequent Flier elite status who get to board the plane before occasional fliers (who probably paid half the ticket price). Seriously, who opposes the fast lanes? Did he or she ever take Economics 101? It is called "price discrimination" or less offensively, "price elasticity." It's why theaters charge a lower price before 4 p.m. and restaurants have early-bird specials —- same product or service for a different price. It's all a function of good old supply and demand —- not civil liberties.

DANIEL MURPHY

Smyrna

A liberal dose of liberals' hopes for America

A recent letter writer implied that Bob Barr's candidacy for president will result in a liberal becoming president ("Barr's bid shows only selfishness," @issue, May 15).

Oh, those liberals!

Liberals have wanted worker's rights so an employee would be treated fairly in the workplace, receiving equal pay for equal work with equal opportunity. Liberals have wanted to help the less fortunate achieve the American dream. Liberals have wanted a court system that protects the individual from the excesses of government power and corporate abuse. Liberals have wanted to protect the environment so future generations would be able to enjoy the bounty of the Earth. Liberals have wanted a foreign policy based on the principle of being strong and smart, leading the world through diplomacy and respect not intimidation, torture and preemption.

Finally, liberals believe government has a role to play in helping make a more perfect union.

MIKE HAREMSKI

Tucker

www.ajc.com/print/content/printedition/2008/05/20/lettsed.html