New Yorkers are resilient. Nevertheless, these catastrophes make us appreciate the importance of energy to the world as much as fire was appreciated by prehistoric mankind.

If the European Union and the United States had not urged Turkey to end the Turkish army's role as defender of the secularity of the Turkish state, the world, and certainly Israel, would be a safer place today. This a tragic example of unintended consequences.

Its support of Wall Street, the banks and opposition to increasing taxes on the truly wealthy have caused the public to see the Republican Party as a protector of the rich. For them to continue with that philosophy would be one of their greatest continuing blunders.

Many opposed to an amnesty providing a path to citizenship for 11 million illegal immigrants support a compassionate response such as the "Dream Act." The Times should allow a debate presenting the arguments fairly on both sides.

What is Israel to do under these circumstances? It can only do what every other country would do -- exercise its right of self-defense.