Letters: Skeptical over deal with Iran

In the editorial "Multinational Iran deal a careful step worth taking" [Nov. 26], Newsday's editorial board supports the new agreement between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany. The agreement will suspend Iran's march toward an atomic bomb for six months.

What Newsday has forgotten is that Iran is an autocratic theocracy whose foreign policy exhibits vitriolic hatred as the cornerstone of its existence. We all know about former British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain waving a document in his hand, signed by Nazi Germany, and declaring peace had been guaranteed.

Is not Iran the reincarnation of irresponsible totalitarian regimes in our time, with its racial hatred and belief that the lives of its citizens are expendable?

What exactly did the $7 billion -- or more, according to some experts -- in sanction relief really buy? Are any centrifuges destroyed, is the heavy water reactor which can make plutonium dismantled, or is any of the enriched uranium shipped out of the country? Sadly, the answers are no, no, and no.

After six months, Iran can restart its efforts to build a nuclear bomb because all of its facilities will still be in place. Does the United Nations know where all of the centrifuges are?

I hope Secretary of State John Kerry will not ultimately look as foolish as Chamberlain. The world should have scoffed then.

Nathan Begelman, Atlantic Beach

Foreign Minister John Kerry Chamberlain has come home with a paper signed by the Ayatollah Hitler, and now we'll have "peace in our time." How wonderful!

We never learn.

Larry Cohen, Valley Stream

Politicians are robocall offenders

I find it ironic that Sen. Charles Schumer is calling for stronger enforcement of robocall rules ["Robocall rules ignored," News, Nov. 25]. During the recent election cycle, I received a robocall from Schumer urging me to vote for the candidate of his choice.

I would say that just before any election period, the robocalls from politicians are as annoying, if not more so, than those from telemarketers.

Joel Verstaendig, Plainview

Patronage at cost of good government

After reading your editorial ["No way to run a hospital," Nov. 24] about the removal of Nassau University Medical Center chief Arthur Gianelli, I was livid.

After long witnessing Nassau politics and its ingrained patronage, I've concluded that some things will never change, regardless of which party is in power. In this case, I find it reprehensible that despite his reported outstanding performance, Gianelli was lost to a system that feeds itself at the expense of good governance.

Richard Campbell, Seaford

Public pay freezes beginning to hurt

As a correction officer with the Nassau County sheriff's department, I am aware that I rely on tax dollars to get a paycheck, as do quite a few other hardworking, middle-class Nassau residents ["Mangano's second term," News, Nov. 25].

I also believe there is a fiscal crisis, and the county has frozen the wages of these men and women for the last three years, to the point that some county employees are facing foreclosure and mounting debt. Yet, the county executive and others on his team seem to think that it's OK to borrow and spend on sewage plants, while telling employees there's no money to give them the cost-of-living raises their contracts promised them!

And, while you're at it, tell me it's wrong to raise taxes on the wealthy as New York City Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio suggests. Stop spending money on things, and spend it on the people who stimulate the economy by paying their bills and buying the necessities of life.

Michael Haroldsson, Massapequa

Double-dip makes for public cynicism

Regarding Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone's bill to allow a new lawmaker to double dip, let's focus on the reason for the initial ban: to prevent a conflict of interest from one public sector job to another ["2-job rule plea," News, Nov. 21].

What if Monica Martinez has an emergency at her school at the same time that an emergency comes up in the county legislature? To whom will she owe her allegiance?

It seems mercenary of Martinez to think she can collect two full-time salaries, when she knew the law precluded such an option. As for her constituents who elected her and now must deal with a legislator who will be stretched between two full-time jobs, shame on them.

Further, shame on Bellone for trying to modify the law retroactively to support his political ally. Is it any wonder that people are so skeptical of politicians?

Annie Mendelson, Great Neck

Tax sales made over the Internet

It's time for New York to pass a law that makes Internet sellers charge customers state sales taxes. This would not only bring in millions to the state but would aid local businesses, which are the backbone of our communities.

Claire Siegel, Patchogue