Netanyahu speech, IRS fraud: Second look

Letters to the editor:

Divisive criticism

Commentary writer DeWayne Wickham states Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to accept the GOP invitation to address Congress is "an affront to America's first black president" ("Wickham: Netanyahu's speech insult to blacks").

By choosing to focus his criticism of Netanyahu through the lens of racial politics, Wickham chooses to fan the flames of the racial divide in the United States. There is no evidence that Netanyahu accepted this invitation simply to embarrass President Obama. To take such a speculative position demonstrates Wickham's dedication to a divisive cause.

Ted Hiemstra; Seattle

Netanyahu oversteps

I believe we should worry more about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the war hawk. I resent having any foreign head of state, especially him, interfering with U.S. foreign policy in any way. It seems to me as if Netanyahu takes for granted all the years we have bent over backward to help Israel. Inviting him to talk was a serious mistake by House Speaker John Boehner.

Jack Allyn; Houston

Fight IRS fraud

Stop IRS refund fraud by requiring the filer to include information that only the individual and the IRS have access to ("Identity theft adds to tax season woes: Our view"). Good examples would be last year's "adjusted gross income" and "total tax." These numbers would not be accessible in common ID hacks.

James Stehlik; Landrum, S.C.