What will Israel do to stop Iran's nuclear program?; Blue Ribbon Schools awards in Southern California; cheating by colleges

Just like in the buildup to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, you can already see the stream of editorials around the world, such as this one, making the case for striking Iran. Never mind that Netanyahu's decision is likely to be based more on fear and placating his extremist base than on actual facts.

I'm not alone in hoping cooler heads prevail in handling this crisis with Israel and Iran, with more of the effort focused on how to achieve peace in the region rather than on fanning the flames for yet another war.

Joe Handy

Venice

Op-Ed article writer Chuck Freilich's claim that an Iranian nuclear bomb may be an existential threat to Israel is not convincing. He skips over the fact that Iran says it is not now building a bomb, and that if it had a bomb it lacks a delivery system. And his analysis never mentions that Israel has nuclear weapons and fully capable delivery systems.

This leads to several questions. Why is it acceptable for Israel to have a large nuclear arsenal of hundreds while an Iran that has just a few bombs is a threat to world peace? And why doesn't Israel consider its arsenal a sufficient deterrent to Iran?

Maybe the best way to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons is for Israel and the U.S. to set up a Middle East nuclear-free zone and invite Iran to join.

Elijah Carder

Los Angeles

Earning that Blue Ribbon

Re "Passing the Blue Ribbon test," Editorial, Feb. 2

I commend the schools that were named as National Blue Ribbon Schools. Having taught for 31 years in public schools, I know that teachers work very hard to maintain the standards that lead to this kind of success.

However, as you write of the Santa Ana fundamental schools, "Both parents and their children must sign compacts promising high levels of commitment and involvement." And what happens when the child does not meet this commitment?

The child is simply sent to the local public school, which is not allowed to enforce similar compacts. Teachers in the local public school work just as hard to achieve success with their students as those in charter, fundamental or private schools (commercial or religious), perhaps even harder.

Until traditional public schools operate under the same rules that govern the alternative schools, it is unfair to label them as less effective.

Donald Kerns

Garden Grove

I find it interesting that The Times emphasizes only charter and fundamental schools when acknowledging National Blue Ribbon honors. A second look might be helpful to those seeking a model for how this can be accomplished within the framework of a traditional public school.