To the editor:

In his op-ed, "Telling Mideast Negotiators, ‘Have a Nice Life,’" Thomas Friedman argues there "needs to be an alternative that at least tests Palestinians to really control some territory."

Gaza would be a good place to start.

Oops. As Bush I used to say, been there, done that.

Got any more ideas, Tom?

Sincerely,

Alan Stein

The Comedian: United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Speaking to a reporter at the United Nations headquarters, Ban Ki-moon, apparently with a straight face, said: "I don't think there is discrimination against Israel at the United Nations."