Kudos to columnist Jonathan Tobin and letter-writer Irwin Kadin (July 11). They got it right on solving the energy crisis. One does not have to love the oil companies, the speculators, the nations selling us oil to understand that they are not responsible for the high cost of oil. It is strictly a matter of supply and demand. The demand for oil will only increase as China and India develop.

America is a fortunate nation. We can solve our problem in the long run with our technology and ameliorate it with our natural resources and present technology in the short run. The world is going nuclear (e.g., France) and every country with the natural resource of oil is drilling for it off-shore and on land (e.g., Norway). The technology is here to do it safely. We must start drilling off-shore and in the Arctic National Wildliefe Refuge. We must start building nuclear plants, wind farms, solar panels, hybrid cars, etc. Yes, we must increase our domestic supply of oil as we reduce our current need for oil. These two efforts are compatible and necessary. They enhance each other. In the long run, America must develop a reliable alternative source of energy. The modern world will always need a source of reliable energy to exist and prosper.

The required efforts to solve our energy crisis will have an important secondary benefit. It will help our weak economy. I believe our short-term efforts will immediately reduce the price of oil. In addition, it will cause a tremendous increase in employment and improve our trade balance.

The ball is in our court. We can continue to hate the oil companies, the speculators, the foreign oil suppliers, or we can solve our problem.

I know that this is way out and you will probably label it the fantasy of a psychotic dreamer.

However, I strongly believe that Israel should publicly indict her enemies Hezbollah, Hamas, Al Qaida, Iran, and all other known terrorist/rogue states and groups as criminal. They should be charged with war crimes against Israel and humanity.

Israel should, whenever possible, apprehend terrorists using all appropriate force. When not possible she must demand that all known functionaries in forming genocidal policy (and executing such) surrender to stand trial before military tribunal. Due judicial process must be followed. This should include legal representation, presentation of evidence for both sides, cross-examination, and right of appeal.

If (as is overwhelmingly likely) the accused refuse to comply with this demand, they should be specifically identified and publicly tried in absentia with full media coverage of all charges and (graphic) evidence.

All who are convicted by the tribunal of the offense of "crimes against humanity" should be sentenced appropriately. This may include a sentence of death.

At the very least, this will vividly present and document to the world community the overwhelming truth of these genocidal horrors as specified by Israel (the prosecutor).

I am sick to the death of Israel’s being the "shmatta" — the object of scorn, pity and eliminatonist hostility.

Israel is not the easiest place to live and maintain one’s optimism. Fortunately, I represent Emek Medical Center, an institution that re-energizes me everyday and allows me the privilege to observe, at eye level, people making an effort to get along with one another despite the maelstrom of hate swirling around us.

I just met two young women who fit within the complex incomplete jigsaw puzzle that is Israel. They are Suha Rahmoun, a 19-year-old Christian Arab from upper Nazareth and Rozan Haja, a 19-year-old Muslim from lower Nazareth. They both have chosen to perform national service as volunteers within our hospital. National service is offered to those young citizens who do not serve in the Israel Defense Forces for one reason or another. Completion of one or two years service is rewarded by proportionate monetary grants like those offered to soldiers who complete their military service. Participants also earn a modest salary during their work period. The two young women came to us via Shlomit, Israel’s largest national service organization serving the Muslim, Christian, Bedouin, Druze, and Jewish populations that assists 2,500 young people annually to serve and benefit from national service. The majority of young Arabs choose not to become part of this network because of complex social, religious, nationalistic or other reasons, thus limiting their inclusion into mainstream Israel.

Initially, Suha and Rozan were challenged by their circle of friends as to why they joined, but their determination to continue won the day. Rozan explained, "Some of my friends stayed away from me, while others remained close. I believe in what I’m doing and it gives me more hope for the future." Suha recalled how she was challenged by an Arab bank teller as to why she was serving and only earning one-sixth what she could earn in other jobs; "I answered him that I am helping people and that makes me feel good about myself. My parents support me and that is what is important."

Suha is working in the adult oncology department as a secretary and has much contact with patients, both Jews and Arabs. It hurts her to see young and old suffering, and that has made a deep impression on understanding her own mortality. The positive feedback she receives from patients and staff has proven the correctness of her decision to serve.

Rozan, whose mother is a nurse, is working in the genetics institute. She wants to study medicine and her experiences here as a secretary and translator during medical consultations have provided a firm foundation upon which she plans to build. She claims that patients (Jews and Arabs) are encouraged to see a young Muslim woman working with Jews and this has given her renewed hope for the future. Despite the early social pressure that Rozan experienced, she says, "If you believe in what you are doing, then others will accept it and move on."

Will young Suha and Rozan working with the Jews in EMC change the geopolitical face of the Middle East? Of course not. Will it change anything? It has for me and others. Together, we’ve taken another few steps. These young women have discovered that place deep within themselves that holds the secret to living in Israel with mutual respect and dignity.

The point being: It is possible.