Letters to the editor

Why Israel needs time

In “Give Israel time to complete the mission” (Editorial, Monday) The Washington Times boldly writes: “The most important thing that Israel needs — particularly in Lebanon, where Hezbollah had been permitted to stockpile upwards of 10,000-12,000 rockets and missiles to target Israel — is time: time to root out the weapons caches stockpiled in private homes; time to hit the rocket and missile-launching sites and terrorist training camps Hezbollah has established throughout Lebanon; and time to hunt down the jihadists in the Bekaa Valley and elsewhere whose life’s work is to destroy the Jewish state.”

This conflict is a window of opportunity to rid the civilized world of the rogue leadership in Syria and Iran, which are the main sponsors of international terrorism. President Bush should encourage Israel to attack Syria, and the U.S. should launch air strikes simultaneously against Iran. Cut off the heads of the snakes, and Hezbollah will die.

PAUL SCHOENBAUM

Williamsburg, Va.

‘Off-duty’ employee behavior

The story “Face it: ‘Book’ no secret to employers” (Page 1, Monday), about employers and social-networking sites, reflects a rapidly increasing concern that employee behavior in a public space, even “off duty,” can affect the business. The story also shows that some employers may regard an applicant’s publicly viewable activity as, like dress, indicative of character, temperament or fitness for a competitive job requiring the ability to function in a social hierarchy.

The Internet has offered ordinary people free access to a global audience to discuss sensitive issues. This is good for democracy, as in the long run, the effect of special-interest groups, with their “lowest common denominator” appeal, can be reduced. The capacity to draw worldwide attention to oneself presents unprecedented, but double-edged, ethical and legal issues that need new principles. It will be regrettable, and harmful to public integrity, if employers routinely use Google as a test for social conformity.

Common sense says that the kind of job should affect its sensitivity to the employee’s personal reputation. Managerial positions (requiring direct reports) or marketing jobs (representing the company in public outside of the physical workplace) raise particular concerns.

Employers should develop blogging policies tailored to their different jobs. In some states, employers may remain silent regarding background checks because of legal concerns that may arise down the line. And as a result, we are seeing a lot of under-the-table surveillance of applicants, often without their knowledge. Announcement of this, and of a company’s policies regarding social-networking sites, to applicants and employees would be much more ethical.

JOHN W. BOUSHKA

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