Mail Call: Has Dr. Phil Gone To Your Head?

Before Americans allow their water supply to fall into the hands of private-sector profiteers, they should look closely at the effect of a privatized water supply on the quality of life in developing countries ("Wildcatting for Water," Sept. 2). Having spent more than 12 years in the developing world, I have seen firsthand what happens when water--the most vital element in sustaining human life--is treated like a market commodity. In those countries, only the rich can afford to have water that is safe to drink. Even if people are lucky enough to get water from the aqueduct (communities often receive no water, even though they have plumbing), it usually requires boiling to be drinkable, and may even be unsuitable for bathing. A water company that is not accountable to the public can decide at will to release water to some areas but not others. Most important, expensive water will lead to poor hygiene, disease and an even greater gap between the rich and the poor. Is this the future we want?
Elizabeth Lara
New York, N.Y.

A New Israeli Voice

Amram Mitzna, the new labor party candidate for prime minister of Israel, is quoted as saying that "using more force will lead us to nothing. You must take a political initiative" ("'Sharon's Government Is Leading Us Nowhere'," Sept. 2). Mitzna seems to have forgotten about the "political initiative" taken by the previous prime minister, who happens to have been from Mitzna's own party. The quote and article make it sound as if there was no "political initiative," no Camp David negotiations and no offers of a settlement of the conflict. In fact, it was the lack of a positive response to these negotiations, and the Palestinian terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings, that are the reasons for violence.
Aharon Goldberg
Hatzor Haglilit, Israel

© 2002