Letters to the Editor
mandalaone
Published Letters: 17
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The Glamourization of His Holiness
[Read the article: Seduced by the Dalai Lama]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Through my journey as a Buddhist, I have become increasingly detached from the Dalai Lama himself; meaning his published works, and more involved in my own life as a Buddist. The unsacredness of Hollywood and their vanities in which we are unfortunately subjected to have taken away from the man, the prophet, and meditation. The Dalai Lama should not have allowed himself to become so public, as Buddhist followers who are not in it for glamour but for peace; as peace spreads through peace, not the media.
As for his feeling of becoming his last incarnation, he has possibly lost his way himself. It is unfortunate that his physical presence is so required by "false practitioners".
Will his texts be re-translated by a future Dalai Lama to fit a more glamourized Buddhist society? It is not an uncommon practice for ancient societies to do so. Some cultures even change their alphabets so that future generations cannot understand previous texts, as they realize that societies and their influences change.
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Hate, Art, Compassion and The Middle East
[Read the article: Terror and loathing]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Should we hate? Understand? Or try to learn about our differences in culture? Regarding the author's statement about Iran, or for the matter of the Middle East's regard of the United States and our supposed inability to tolerate or level our thoughts and actions toward them, is it possible to educate ourselves? Golestan Palace holds an upwards of a billion dollars worth of Western Art, yet is not ready to show in museums due to our differences in culture. President Carter was highly instrumental in these acquistions for Iran, and these works are held in high security in the palace. The United States and it's museums hold an equally if not larger inventory of Islamic and Muslem art for our citizens and visitors to view and absorbe a possiblility of acceptance.
I feel the press has an obligation to seek out solutions rather than print articles on why we should hate. True, Islamic terrorists, as any other terrorist, is no better than the "American" who wants to blow up the Middle East. Education and compassion are the answer, and our art and literature are a great place to start.
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My Mother Broke The Ugly Mold
[Read the article: Sins of the mothers]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The daughter I am speaking of is my mother. My mother is not a failure, yet unfortunately, her mother is. An emotional failure that is.
My concern is for the young women and young men who have loving, caring, emotionally supportive, "stand-in-their-shoes" without fail parents, then become involved with those who have parents that have not just failed them, but hurt and abused on top of it. Children who are emotionally and creatively nurtured are too sympathetic to walk away from these destructive people who hold them back from their rightful successes and joys in life. Yet it is socially wrong to ignore someone in need, right? wrong?
Our task is to help the emotionally needy to identify what is missing, help them get it without hurting ourselves, then walk away knowing that I did the best I could.
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Post-Feminism, and The Right To Private Changing Rooms
[Read the article: Hey, Obama boys: Back off already!]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]To some women, Jane Fonda and Gloria Steinem are icons. I am 42, thus placed in the middle of feminist worshipping lesbians and metros. Their ideals for women have not quite reached those of us who raise boys in a recession, not to mention girls with trustfunds that start silly businesses that oh so subtlely give them power over men. Of course it will cost you $200 for a pair of jeans, but that counts for nothing unless the woman is of working class, willing to but them on sale. Oh, and they are only on sale if you are not a size 26. (Brit and French sizing) The men who feel the need to cat-scratch Senator Clinton have no idea what to do with her, except bash and belittle her. But shouldn't the men who even pay attention to her be grateful that she stayed with her husband? I personally would be more willing to vote for her had she left her husband. A single strong woman who stands by herself is the best leader we could vote for.
I refuse to collaborate with women in politics who are 10-20 years older than me. We live in a different society which has shocked us into sometimes strong silence, and sometimes an abhorrent tearful submission to the past. It is up to the individual woman to choose what is best for her family, and for herself.
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Le Castor!! Senator Clinton Does Not Equal Self Loathing!!
[Read the article: Hey, Obama boys: Back off already!]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I believe that Senator Clinton is a passionate patriot; a true believer in The United States of America. The fact that I will not vote for her is simple: MY GENERATION DOES NOT EQUAL HER. There have been years that I have not voted, and before that, I have voted due to lack of alternative means of contributing to my country. That does not mean I am anti-American. It just means that my generation has not reached the point of a clear, honest vote.
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Ursula, You Are Worth Ten Camillas...
[Read the article: Ursula K. Le Guin celebrates early Rome]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]What an adventurous endeavor, to write this novel after and for Virgil, in keeping with his intended prose for Lavinia. I am always looking forward to such scholarly approaches to poetry and history.
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President Reagan, What Do You Think Of Dmitri Medvedev and Gazprom?
[Read the article: Why Ronald Reagan didn't completely suck]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I still remember my first voter's registration card. I have been a Reagonnite as long as I can remember. Which means, he didn't need to be the one to remember, given his age and enthusiasm and love for capitalism. I hate when he is called "teflon"; as though he could be referred to as a newly graduated law student with big plans and ideas. His "Tear That Wall Down" theory will penetrate so many venues. Not just oil magnates in the Middle East, Russia, Canada etc., but the human right to succeed, no matter what ethnic, religious or sexual background. I love President Reagan the way I love Abraham Lincoln, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Oliver North, Condoleeza Rice, etc... anyone who is willing to wear a helmut and trudge through the minefield, even if he or she is considered "teflon". We can't possibly believe our Constitution and history since our 80's presidency and his continuous thread of capitalism won't stick with us forever.