Letters to the Editor
GeeJay
Published Letters: 117 Editor's Choice: 19
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The con in the neocon
[Read the article: Operation Iraq betrayal]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]William Kristol’s main talent is his artistry for lying and obfuscation. His attempts at profoundness come off as weak mindedness. His arguments are all derivative, based on last century strategy - the vilest is the best-est. His comments are amusing, but not in the way that he imagines.
Two arguments used by limp minded conservatives deserve mention. One is their concern of the “genocide” that would positively follow an American withdrawal from Iraq. It is scandalous in the crudest sense that this is mentioned. These conservatives, while hiding behind their mother’s skirt, cry genocide while the American invasion of Iraq has led to the death of hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi citizens. They use the blood of others to further their immoral political agendas. Please, please, let Karma be real!
The second argument, which will be shoved down the press’s ear until the time of September’s surge report, is that “Al-Qaida in Iraq” is tied to the attacks in 2001 and that they are our main enemy in Iraq, and as such, forces us to stay the course in Iraq. Amazingly, this is the same strategy that the Bush Think Tank (perhaps tank is too capacious of an object, maybe thimble is a better description) has used since 2001. That such incompetent bullies continue to reside in the highest offices of the U.S. government will be wondered at in the annals of history. They may be qualified to terrorized the high school halls and cafeterias, but usually their ilk is removed by their being force to experience the “real” world (of course unless they are always sheltered from the consequences of their actions).
Perhaps this entire group of neoconservatives and Bush policy drudges can best be described using cinematic images from several generations ago. They are the old “Our Gang” melded with “The Bad Seed” reincarnated, with the same problem solving skills and obsessions.
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The Repugnantcan Candidates
[Read the article: Why the Republicans don't like their candidates]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]John McCain is out of the republican nominating race. Rudy Giuliani is in the same position, but he doesn’t know it yet. He will bow out disgracefully in about six months. Milt Romney will only win the nomination if the republicans are willing to revisit the Bob Dole candidacy of 1996, which is highly unlikely since it is a sure loser. Fred Thompson is the odds on favorite at this time.
However, much can happen between now and the beginning of the primary season. If there are attacks on this country outside of our military occupations, or perhaps a claimed military victory of some sort, a candidate of two may present themselves. Keep in mind that the republican power in the White House considers itself the leading force in the Republican Party. This implies, as with all humanistic dynasties, that they have planned a succession of political power to one of their own choosing. Possible candidates? Condi Rice, Robert Gates, Jeb Bush, a four-star general, or Ahmed Chalabi (after being granted US birth rights by President Bush at the urging of the neocons).
(Keep in mind that one of Karl Rove’s basic campaign strategies that he has used for decades is to let a field of candidates punish themselves and define a front runner before introducing his candidate into the field. This has not had time to play itself out yet.)
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Old, old testament
[Read the article: War, chaos and Bush's faith]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Most attributions of President Bush’s faith denote his belief in God’s will. Rarely is Bush’s faith tied to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Bush removes himself from discussions of compassion and love, but embraces discussions of revenge, death, and obliteration (as means to meet one’s ends, or meet the ends of his God).
These stated beliefs of Bush, if genuine, are clearly a self defense mechanism put in place to justify his actions. He is a child in an adult’s world, and as such has only primitive coping strategies.
As patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel, knowing God’s will is the last refuge of a madman.
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A Leader
[Read the article: King Kaufman's Sports Daily]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Bill Walsh should not be burdened with the term “Genius”. It is a demeaning term when related to football, primarily used by those who do not understand the football culture. Coach Walsh was an excellent leader of men. For him, this involved choosing which men to lead and the how best they should be utilized. He was perhaps, above all, a great communicator, who had a vision and convinced a community to share that vision.
Given all that, I, like King K., could not stand the team. But I never underestimated their shared drive and effort to win, which is what football is about.
Coach Walsh is surely a person who will be missed. He is an example of how a person’s will, hard work, and foresight can bring people together, while always acknowledging it’s just a game.
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To PED or not to PED
[Read the article: King Kaufman's Sports Daily]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]From a moralistic and intellectual standing, I believe all drugs should be legalized for adult consumption. To do otherwise is to legislate morality, which may be beneficial in the short term, but stagnates the evolution of a society in the long term.
One of the great hypocrisies within American society is the turning of a blind eye toward athletes who are PED (Performance Enhancing Drugs) users. Clearly a large number of NFL players use PED. Baseball is the same. Basketball less so, but it is still obvious. For those who continually state there is no “proof” of this, they simply are in denial. Proof is in the acceptance of the beholder. OJ Simpson was proved to be not guilty by the legal system. How many of these proof-needers would allow their daughter to move in with OJ?
Athletic competitions can be designated as PED and non-PED events, just like today’s amateur and professional competitions are separated. Let the public decide which they will support. The athletes have already decided. (However I would separate non-PED and PED statistical records, denoting Barry Bond’s record as a PED record.)