Michael Eidman’s criticism of NORPAC for hosting Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), as cited in Gary Rosenblatt’s column, “Cotton, NRA Darling, Comes To Englewood” (March 2), is misplaced.
Mr. Eidman is obviously free to criticize Cotton for his pro-gun position. But NORPAC is focused on one issue: the security of Israel and a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. As Rosenblatt notes, NORPAC supports both liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, who are solidly supportive of Israel, notwithstanding differences on other (albeit important) issues.
Why bash NORPAC for not being something it never claimed to be? Its efforts to encourage bipartisan support for Israel are commendable and much needed. A program devoted to Israel need not involve debating gun control any more than a rally to ban the AR-15 should include a debate on the Middle East.
There are many organizations, right and left, devoted to issues their supporters care about: immigration, the environment, abortion, etc. They are not obliged to dilute their message by addressing every other issue as well.
I would add that referring to Sen. Cotton as “a purveyor of AR-15 violence” [as Mr. Eidman did] is over the top. One of the most wrenching facts about the Parkland school shooting is that, even without new laws (which may indeed be necessary), the shooter’s horrifying crime might have been prevented if those who were willing to say something when they saw something had been listened to by supposedly reliable officials who are either incompetent or reluctant to act on their responsibilities — a failure having nothing to do with Sen. Cotton.
Teaneck, N.J.
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