Letters to the Editor

• I don't think I am a racist...

  [Read the article: Happy 14th Amendment Day!]
  [Read more letters about this article: Here]

  But, anyone who is in the country illegally should be treated equally, but this is not to say that they deserve the rights of citizens. Cate, if I had found out you were illegal, I would not have fawned over you. But, you may be misinterpeting the responses you got. When people feel that they are in a safe group, whether that group is rich white people or coked up, derranged white people (could be the same group), they act in certain ways. When the illusions of sameness is broken, then people often feel threatened and act in out of character ways.

  But, here is the thing. If I am a US citizen, then why should I be held to a higher standard than someone who broke US laws to enter or remain in the country? If one believes in the "American Way", then that person should believe in the rules of law. Breakings laws that I disagree with as a citizen is my choice to try to bring attention to potential unjust laws. But, this does not absolve me from being punished under those laws. Hence, if I come to the country illegaly, then there should be no complaints that I am deported or treated unlike a citizen. I am not a citizen and should not enjoy a citizen's rights beyond basic human rights to food and water; I will be affected by the laws of the country.

  I am more than happy to allow immigrants in who play by the rules. Giving an amnesty to those who ignored our laws for their personal gain are no better than the executives that fleeced Enron - their motives are purely selfish.

  Permalink Friday, July 21, 2006 08:16 AM

• Grooms...

  [Read the article: Immigration law and horse manure]
  [Read more letters about this article: Here]

  I have *never* seen an advertisement for a groom in my local newspaper.

  1) These people are not trying very hard.

  2) They state that it isn't a well paying job even though the conditions are iffy at best.

  3) There are no hard numbers in the article. Hence, it is hard to evaluate and claim.

  4) The objective is to exploit the worker.

  5) Why hasn't the industry gone to vocational schools in search of workers?

  6) Why isn't the industry willing to train grooms?

  7) What does a typical ad look like? Must have an even temperment and physically able?

  8) Last time I checked, horses are capable of breeding and surviving on their own.

  The arguments do not wash.

  Permalink Monday, July 24, 2006 03:01 PM

• If you were a terrorist...

  [Read the article: The "hiding among civilians" myth]
  [Read more letters about this article: Here]

  would you exploit the media to your own ends? I would. And, I would tell the gullible media that I do not hide within the civilan population, especially if I could turn the court of public opinion.

  Permalink Friday, July 28, 2006 08:01 AM

• This is why I am an agnostic (or soft atheist)

  [Read the article: The believer]
  [Read more letters about this article: Here]

  The main point of science is how you look at the universe. I can't tell anyone that there is no God. If you have relationship with God, then it should be completely personal. Imposing your views on me is no better than me imposing my views on you. But, in the culture war, this is what happens. As long as what I do doesn't hurt you, then you should have no opinion on what I might do.

  People cannot handle a gray world. They must see things as black and white no matter the evidence to the contrary. If you live in a black and white world, decisions are easy to make, and it gives you power. when you live in a world of gray, it is hard to be strong in your views and analysis without seeming to betray the basic foundations - things are gray and mutable.

  But, I do find it strange that a scientist would choose to have a relationship with his God where he will force his religion down other people's throats. The crux of science is to view the data and come to a conclusion based on the data. The data will, hopefully, be the same, but the conclusions may be different. Then, you come at the problem with an open mind to weigh the various explanations and come to a consensus. Religion is not about consensus building. It is about the immutable word of God, and the sentiment "you are with us or against us" has great meaning.

  Could there be a God? Sure. There is much I will never understand about the universe. But, I can question if there isn't a God. Those who have chosen atheism or religion will not reasonably question their beliefs. Until presented with a better analysis, I can only state that I don't know and will never know. I am fine with that.

  Permalink Monday, August 7, 2006 12:16 PM

• Fenella is indefensible

  [Read the article: The U.S. is "indefensible"]
  [Read more letters about this article: Here]

  fenella and all conservatives are panting eagerly for the US to be attacked. that much is clear. the efforts to stop attacks, they don't support. their reasoning is this: the US is good and can do no wrong. they do not deserve to be attacked by muslims. only if the US becomes perfect do dissenters deserve to be protected. it is dishonest for fenella to talk about how liberals hate America. he should just come out and say why he thinks we should bow to the terrorists and give away all of our civil liberties.

  Freedom has a cost. The cost is that we cannot be "safe" at all times.

  Permalink Monday, August 14, 2006 08:15 AM