The News Journal from Wilmington, Delaware • Page 10

The News Journal, Wilmington, Del. A10 Tuesday, Aug. 13,2002 www.delawareonline.com Deborah Henley Executive Editor Calvin J. Stovall Managing Editor John H.Taylor Jr. Editorial Page Editor Norman Lockman Associate Editor of Editorial Page TheNewsJournal A Gannett newspaper W.Curtis Riddle President and Publisher It's One To Beat The Parkins- Problem In Wilmington Our View 5TT Ron Williams Peace diplomacy must not rush over Palestinian state Prospects for re-establishing a diplomatic peace process between Israel and Palestinians, even when ephemeral, need to be encouraged.

Therefore, we urge continuance of the preliminary talks in Washington, Jerusalem and Ramallah between senior U.S., Israeli and Palestinian Authority officials, even though their approaches remain quite divergent. Israel is faced with an untenable economic and military situation since its re-occupation of the West Bank except for Jericho. It is tilting toward a plan dubbed Gaza First. It would have the Israeli army pull back from positions in Gaza as a test to see if re-empowered mm TJl I Our Readers' Views Helmets while skateboarding are a basic safety precaution Palestinian Authority security forces can maintain peace there. That means preventing attacks against Israelis.

The Bush administration is leaning in the same direction. Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat is also giving it favorable nods. But many Palestinians suspect that Gaza First is a thinly veiled plan to turn Gaza into Palestine, perhaps by unilateral Israeli fiat, while Israel tries to gain permanent possession of the West Bank. Such a scenario has favor in Israel. It would maintain the "two nation We read with great interest the article July 28 regarding the Games Party at Kahu-naville in Wilmington.

While we applaud the skills of these young athletes and encourage efforts to attract visitors to the riverfront, we were dismayed to see photos of two participants soaring in the air on skateboards, but without helmets or other protection. The Delaware Safety Council encourages the use of helmets while skateboarding, roller blading and biking. Displaying photos of skateboarders competing without helmets or pads does not set a good example for youngsters. The popularity of skateboarding in the United States has been on the rise and, not coincidentally, so have the number of injuries. According to the National Safety Council's 2001 Injury Facts, more than 59,000 skateboard injuries occur in the United States annually.

More than half of those injuries occurring to youngsters in the 5 to 14 age bracket. Loe Angeles Times SyndicateM. RYDER liHi News Journal file Frances West President, Delaware Safety Council Wilmington solution" without giving up the West Bank. And it allays fears that a Palestine comprised mainly of the West Bank, with its long border with Israel, would pose a far greater security risk than Gaza with its narrow border. This means the United States needs to be careful that it clearly sees Gaza First as an initial step toward peace and not the diplomatic goal of establishing a Palestinian state.

This is not the signal being sent by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who recently delighted right-wing Israelis by referring to the West Bank as "so-called occupied" territory, and brushing off establishing a Palestinian state as not much more than forming "some sort of entity." Not even Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has made such unstatesmanlike public statements. By treaty, Israeli troops now occupy territory in both the West Bank and Gaza belonging solely to the Palestinian Authority This re-occupation of land they gave back as part of the Oslo Accords has not appreciably thwarted terrorist attacks against Israelis. Indeed, it has intensified assaults. Any peace process that reneges on the West Bank will not stop the violence. 0 How to voice your opinion Public light shines on all of the family I understand why the public wants to read about vagaries of their public servants.

When Joe and Jane Six-pack read about the Bush kids fooling around with alcohol under age, parents everywhere can relate both as adults and former teen-agers. It makes the politician more human, more like the rest of us. What I've never understood is why political opponents of those elected officials whose kids went off the reservation think there is some windfall of votes to tap with public disclosure. This is especially true when word gets out on the street, or through media, about an offspring. Opposition candidates then begin pointing fingers at various media outlets, accusing them of withholding information or covering up for a favorite politician, especially if they happen to be one the newspaper endorsed in the past.

That's what's happened in the case of Ashley Blazer Biden, 21, daughter of U.S. Sen. Joe Biden, who was arrested earlier this month at 1:15 in the morning on Chicago's North Side, site of several popular gin joints. Ms. Biden, according to the Associated Press, was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of obstructing a police officer after an altercation on the sidewalk that involved a little beer bottle tossing.

Police said that when officers attempted to arrest an alleged bottle thrower, Ms. Biden blocked the path of the officer and made "intimidating statements." Sen. Biden's spokeswoman Margaret Aitken, in response to AP request for comment, said, "It's a private matter and we're not going to comment." Ashley Biden attends school in Chicago. That's fine and I don't blame Biden for keeping the incident as a private family matter. On the other hand, Ashley Blazer will forever remain the daughter of one of the most powerful members of the U.S.

Senate, a former and likely future candidate for president of the United States. When she does something dumb on a street in Chicago, or at a beach cottage in New Jersey, her name is likely to make it to the media. Is it fair? Probably not, especially when the offspring are well into adulthood. But it's the way the political and media systems have always worked and probably will for years to come. Despite the repugnance of tracking the personal lives of political family members, I've always maintained that getting out embarrassing information quickly, briefly and accurately trumps trying to cover it up every time.

Two peas in a pod Now that state Treasurer Jack Markell, the next male Democratic candidate for governor, and Auditor Tom Wagner, the next state auditor, are the only unopposed statewide candidates, will they vote for each other in November? Sharp picks a successor Retiring Democratic Senate President Pro Tern has endorsed Tim Sheldon to replace him in the 9th Senatorial District. Sheldon, from Roseville Park, is business manager for Bricklayers Local 1 Underwriting big time Silly me. For some reason I alwavs thought our lnral pnhnc Broadcasting System gave free public service time for the nightly Delaware lottery numbers drawing on Channel 12 WHYY. Wrong, Big Three breath. Each 90-second drawing produced almost entirely by the Lottery Office in Dover, cost the state $12,820.

Winslow says it isn't so State Sen. Dallas Winslow insists my sources are wrong about his active involvement in recruiting Democrat-turned-Re-publican Bill Tansey to run against New Castle County Councilman Rich Abbott in the Republican primary. Could Winslow involvement been inactive? Reach Ron Williams at rwllllamdelawaonllne.com Iverson is example of consequences After reading in The News Journal about a 12-year-old who stands behind basketball player Allen Iverson and the boy's father who doesn't seem to think Iverson's criminal record is a big deal, I wonder what message is gives to young people. Then I read about the 11-year-old who is not willing to overlook Iverson's record, and chose to look up to her father. I hope the majority of youth know the difference between right and wrong, and realize that when a crime has been committed the person responsible should pay the consequences, no matter who that person may be.

Cindy Loqullo Lewes Biden faction twists Clatworthy message It is a shame that Sen. Biden's supporters have resorted to making up information in order to attack Republican challenger Ray Clatworthy A recent letter said Clatworthy's commercial claims he would bring American forces home from Afghanistan. That is simply untrue. The commercial actually says that Clatworthy would withdraw military protection from countries that actively promote terrorism. Afghanistan does not have a government that promotes terrorism.

Nowhere in the commercial is Afghanistan mentioned. With three months left until the election, I hope Biden's supporters will spend some time researching facts before they go on the attack. Stephanie Fitzpatrlck Walden Objections to police tactics favor thugs It is easy for a liberal suburbanite to question city police tactics to get rid of corner loitering and open air drug sales. If Drewry Fennell lived in the real world of the neighborhoods, maybe her legal, laissez-faire point of view would be altered. The irony is the rights of the average citizen are violated by law-breaking thugs.

ACLU Executive Director Fennell should let the city police bring justice to city street corners to allow residents the liberty to live in civil neighborhoods. Kevin Melloy Wilmington Insurance office is well-run operation During the past four years I have called the state insurance commissioner's office for various questions. I have always been called back within 24 hours. No matter how simple or serious the question, I always received the proper answers. I applaud the Delaware insurance commissioner for such a well-ran office.

i WlttllU IMItlMI Claymont Government must solve water woes Amen to the Aug. 8 drought editorial. When are people going to place responsibility where it belongs and demand action from our elected officials. Ann Miller Bear Biden hasnt always helped out seniors U.S. Sen.

Joe Biden's radio ads for re-election claim he has "kept the faith with our senior citizens" and is looking out for the future by insuring that Social Security will be there for them. I want senior citizens to know Biden was one of those TheNewsJoumal welcomes letters. To be considered, letters including fax and e-mail must include a name, a home address and a daytime phone number. We reserve the right to edit all letters. Because of the high volume of letters submitted, we are unable to acknowledge or return unpublished letters.

Letters to the editor, opinion and editorial columns, and articles submitted to The News Journal may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms. Send your letters to: Letters to the editor Box 15505 Wilmington, DE 19850 Fax: (302) 324-2595 TTD; (302) 324-2580 E-mail: letters9delawareonllne.com state gains some cash, but it won't affect Motiva. The company will make an accounting adjustment for the cost of doing business. Let's put the blame where it belongs. Some person or persons made a deliberate decision to ignore maintenance procedures, putting production ahead of workers' safety.

They caused a man's death and severe injuries for several others. This is a criminal action and we should find out who is responsible. We should put names and faces on the people who knowingly caused this situation. Find out what motivated them. Did they get a bonus or approval? Owen Owen Newark DuPont retirees are treated quite well As the wife of a retired DuPont Co.

employee, I was amazed to see the letter complaining because retirees, survivors and their families were not invited to the recent 200th celebration. Everybody cannot be invited to everything. I believe current employees are working hard for the success of the company and I am glad the picnic was for them. DuPont treats its retired employees much better than a lot of other companies. The medical benefits and prescription drug benefits are deeply appreciated by a lot of us.

I feel very fortunate that my husband worked for a company that has been in business 200 years. I am certainly not whining because we were not invited to a picnic. LydiaThomen Wilmington Attorney general should release data I applaud Democratic attorney general candidate Carl Schnee's efforts not only to let the people of Delaware know what the attorney general's office is doing, but to make those records easier to access. If Jane Brady really believes her job performance would withstand scrutiny, she should allow newspapers the access they seek to computerized justice records. The people of Delaware have a right to know if criminals aren't being placed behind bars.

Dlna Hardy Wilmington Bayard Sharp's pull in politics was discreet Bayard Sharp grew up in the mansion known as Gibraltar on Pennsylvania Avenue in Wilmington, silver spoon firmly in his mouth. But unlike many of his peers among the very rich, he kept a social activist's sense of public duty During World War II, he served as a city councilman, battling for the welfare of the poor and unfortunate when political machines spent most of their time in partisan haggling over patronage jobs. Politics was his avocation. His life work was giving away his money for public benefit. He mostly did it anonymously.

He was more famous for wincing when he saw his name in the newspaper than for seeking publicity He never made note of how many hospitals, schools and universities he helped, but it was far more than just those in Delaware. His determination was legendary When his son-in-law Will Farish, a Texas oilman, befriended George H.W Bush and became involved in his goal to win the presidency in the late 1970s, Mr. Sharp signed on. When Mr. Bush's presidential ambitions foundered as Ronald Reagan came to national power, Mr.

Sharp, Mr. Farish and Elsie Hillman, a Republican powerhouse from Pennsylvania, reshaped the Bush campaign and pushed successfully to have him chosen as Mr. Reagan's vice president. It was the beginning of a modern political era that now spans two generations of the Bush family. Yet he never patted himself on the back or tried to collect political perks from the Bushs' political success.

He was satisfied to remain in the background as a family friend, an unusual kind of kingmaker. His death at 89 means he will be missed. But his philanthropic and political legacies will stand as lessons for people to better learn the responsibilities of privilege. who passed the 1993 law that authorized taxing Social Security benefits. What many people do not understand is that for married couples with combined income between $32,000 and $44,000 may have to pay taxes on 50 percent of their benefit.

According to the Social Security web site, their combined income on the 1040 tax form is the sum of adjusted gross income plus nontaxable interest plus 50 percent of combined Social Security benefits. If combined income is more than $44,000, up to 85 percent of the combined benefit can be taxed. If one invested or saved for retirement, or continued to work, the tax bite on Social Security benefits will be more. When I started to work more than 50 years ago, I paid taxes on my income before Social Security contributions. My government assured me that my Social Security benefit would, therefore, not be taxed when I retired.

Biden and others in Congress changed that. Remember that this November. G. Robert Veazey Sr. Brookmeade Motiva executives ought to be punished So the state is going to fine Motiva for last year's, catastrophic acid tank failure.

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