There is more to the story of murdered Saudi reporter

Much of the news media, and some of our Congressional leaders, are in a state of anger and hysteria about President Trump’s approach to Saudi Arabia after the murder of the Washington Post stringer. I have to wonder if their reaction would have been the same if a stringer had not been involved.

But more important, the following questions should be asked: Should the United States break off relations with Saudi Arabia — economic and otherwise — over one murder, thereby jeopardizing our ability to try to contain Iran’s regional ambitions and stated desire to destroy Israel and destabilize the oil market? Should we give Russia and China huge diplomatic and trade opportunities and, perhaps, free up some previously contained anti-American, radical Islamic terrorist sentiment and actions in and outside Saudi Arabia?

To do so would be highly irrational and against the security and economic interests of the United States.

The young Saudi crown prince has many enemies who do not like some of the changes he is making — and trying to make — in Saudi Arabia.

The murder is far more complicated an event than the media would have us believe. The media have not even asked two basic questions: How could the Saudis have been so absurdly stupid to kill a reporter in the consulate, knowing that he was videotaped entering the consulate? And, how did the Turks record the event inside the consulate and get the recording so rapidly?

Could the murder have been a covert operation by opposition to the Crown Prince and the Turkish equivalent of the CIA?

Both would wish to undermine the crown prince for moving away from more traditional Muslim behavior in some areas and, in Turkey’s case, for additional reasons.

– Robert E. Panoff,

Pinecrest

BEZOS’ BAD CHOICE

Too bad Jeff Bezos did not pick any of the cities that are sorely in need of an economic boost. Placing Amazon’s second headquarters in states that already have an abundance of commerce and industries shows his true colors.

There are states fighting for economic survival, with honest, hardworking people whose upbringing could not be more American.

Instead, he made his decision based on politics. Shame on him.

Bezos should look back 30 years, to when he was selling books in Miami out of his station wagon, and those dreams he had at that time.

With a stroke of his pen, Bezos would have been able to make the dream that all Americans have come true for those in the greatest need. But for those unfortunate who reside in these impoverished states, from which big business moved overseas, those dreams have quietly disappeared.

I hope that when another Amazon center goes out for bid, Bezos’ choice of location is motivated less by greed and politics, and more by a wish to contribute to the quality of life and a future for thousands of families where the job market simply does not exist anymore.

– Louis Donde,

Hollywood

THANKS, OFC. PINKNEY

I was on my way to play a round of golf at Shula’s golf course in Miami

Lakes, which was so generously offering free 18-holes to all veterans on Veterans Day.

On my way south on Northwest 47th Avenue toward State Road 826, I was surprised to look in my rear-view mirror and see a Miami Gardens police officer, with lights flashing, was motioning for me to pull over.

I was not speeding but figured I must have done something wrong. I pulled over and took out my license, but when Officer Pinkney approached my open window, he stuck his hand in and shook mine, thanking me for my military service (I have a Vietnam Vet license plate on my car).

I was flabbergasted. He told me that pulling me over was the only way he was able to thank me. I told him how much I appreciated his gesture, and went on my way to play 18 on a beautiful South Florida day.

Thanks, Officer Pinkney, for making my day even better. – Richard Kirshen,

Cooper City

SAME OLD SCOTT

Florida’s soon-to-beformer-governor, Rick Scott, continues to take a page from the Trump playbook of bad behavior. He acted like a whiny baby would about Florida’s vote recount. Nothing new there.

But six years of him representing Florida in the U.S. Senate is a depressing thought.

A leopard doesn’t change its spots. – David Kahn,

Boca Raton

ALL BUSINESS

Here’s another conspiracy theory to add to the many on the Internet: President Trump is making light of evidence against Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi because he eventually wants to build a beautiful Trump Hotel in Saudi Arabia. – Louis Cohen,

Surfside

CAROLLO MISFIRES

Miami Commissioner

Joe Carollo, get over it! We do not want a strong man in Florida. Why does he not want Cultural Fridays in Little Havana? Just because some people who voted against him?

He should be grateful that he lives in this country and accept that some people did not want him to be their commissioner.

We are so tired of bullies. He looks like a sore loser. Remember, we do not live in Cuba any more, thank God!

– Yolanda Inguanzo,

Miami

NO RIGHTS IN CUBA

Re the Nov. 7 letter to the editor “Rights in Cuba,” by Teresa Fernandez Burke: The U.S. embargo doesn’t make life any more difficult for Cubans, but the Cuban government uses it to make their citizens believe so.

The reality is that Cuba trades with the rest of the world and uses the embargo as an excuse for the deprivation the regime is inflicting on its own people. Food, medicine and essential goods are available through trade with the rest of the world.

The embargo was put in place as a result of Castro’s government taking over American businesses and properties without compensation. They stole U.S. property, and to this day have never paid for it.

– Lynn Guarch-Pardo,

Coral Gables

TROUBLING TRIO

What is quite descriptive about religious hypocrisy and political pragmatism is the marriage among the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia.

– Michael Merhige,

Kendall

GOOD FORTUNES

No matter how hard most U.S. citizens work, they could never amass the fortune that Gov. Rick Scott spent on his campaign to be Florida’s next senator. According to the Miami Herald, Scott spent $64 million of his own money on the campaign.

The same day, the Herald reported that former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg gave $1.8 billion to Johns Hopkins University. These are staggering amounts of money. How does one acquire these fortunes?

– Alene L. Fishbein,

Golden Beach

Red Soxtober, on Twitter

JUDGES’ BIASES

It is awkward to have to defend President Trump, or any politician, but clearly it is fair to label a jurist an “Obama judge.” Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts is in the minority when he fails to recognize that judges have leanings.

Is it an accident that Supreme Court rulings have a fairly predictable vote pattern? Or that the Senate’s vote on Brett Kavanaugh was pretty much along party lines? It would be great if Roberts were right and that we didn’t have Obama judges. But he isn’t, and we do.

– John Goehl, Biscayne Park

BILL NELSON CARED

It will be a terrible loss to Floridians when Bill Nelson gives up his Senate seat. He has been a loyal politician who cares for the people of this state. I do not trust Rick Scott. I am sorry that he won.

– Marty Menter, Pompano Beach