Letters to the Editor
breckenback
Published Letters: 19 Editor's Choice: 5
-
the march of fascism
[Read the article: The real war on Christmas]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Really nice article, thank you so much.
I think we have to fight this stuff with aggressive mockery. I tell my brother I can't discuss events with him because when things go bad for Bush, all he hears about on Fox is missing white women. Call them on it when they start spouting Rush talking points. We need a catchy acronym - something like RWPV - Right Wing Propoganda Victim. Okay, thats not catchy, but you get the idea. Name it, box it up, make it embarrassing.
As a self absorbed drug addled boomer, I had these holiday interrupting fights about Viet Nam, but, as with your family, there was enough love that we got over them. (And yes, I am still a commie-pinko, thank you very much)
-
talkin bout my generation
[Read the article: Talkin' bout my generation]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Excellent review. Yes, i enjoy that I can can glance at an inter-racial couple and not fear that I am thought to be eye-balling them for an unforgiveable sin. And yes, the ghettos are still there.
To a great extent, this whole concept of generations is messed up. Things happen in society over time, but attribution to particular cohorts is suspect. Read Bob Dylans "Chronicles" and note the influence of the Beats. The stifling, self satisfied 50's, with their incessant anti-communist drumbeat, had to, begged to, give birth to increased freedom. I think it was Marx who mentioned thesis, antithesis, etc.
And there was courage. I was no Weatherman, but I did march. And I felt very visible and very much a minority. Don't see that so much lately.
Maybe the empire is facing wane. All our roles will be much different. Nuclear weapons, the scare we grew up with, is now omnipresent. See Tom Lehrer.
-
says you
[Read the article: Talkin' bout my generation]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]This is a dumb argument. As a boomer, I have been having it for thirty years. Generations are bogus. Stuff just happens.
Too strange for you? Cowboy up and enjoy it.
-
Weak and Evil
[Read the article: The little man]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]As usual, excellently well crafted piece.
I minorly differ that in directing attention at their incompetence and blindness we overlook their active evil. They consciously set out to manipulate events to serve grandiose personal delusions. Hypocriticly (sp?) using their religion, they had no sense of humility.
I do agree with an earlier poster: we need to think creatively about what to do about this bane, but naming it so aptly as Garrison has is, I think, a positive step.
-
Getting Real
[Read the article: All cartoon politics are local]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]A very good study, especially for reminding about the senesitive history of these matters.
And good new info on the Danish editor in question. On talk shows Wednesday, he remained firm in his convictions.
Best explanation I've heard says cultures with mutiple religions learn tolerance, while those that are monlithic miss this lesson.
While I would be loath to intentionally insult anyone on a personal level, I think we need to get over the idea that religious beliefs, no matter how weird, are sacrosanct. This applies especially when they involve enslaving large populations.
Happen to be reading "The End Of Faith", by Sam Harris. What happens when a rationalist looks at the history of religion. Christianity, too, like Islam, tells us to kill the infidels.
No, followers of Islam, you cannot tell me what images I can create with a pen and paper. Welcome to the 21st century.
-
good on mima
[Read the article: Them damn pictures]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]yes, the vast majority of muslims are rational moderates, and the current hysteria still keeps that hidden.
which said (yes, i disdain capitals, a capitalist tool) fact is info is free. Like it or not. We don't have to respect your superstitions. I think we should attack your supersitions with all the weapons available.
I am not (okay, i am inconsistent on on ok/okay and caps, so sue me)inclined to insult or disrespect anyone, on a personal level, but in public discourse, I want to see rationalism win out. that's just the way I roll.
-
The Truth
[Read the article: Them damn pictures]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Actually, when I was mugged in NYC I did feel part of the community. Really.
I like and sympathize with what Mima had further to say.
I like to think open communication may hold out a hope for humanity. Interesting hearings today on CSPAN re: internet companies in China.
Rationalism will, I believe, overcome superstition. And we must understand the limits of rationalism. Every mindset has limitations.
It is constantly apparent that many people are irrational and tend to be violent. Unless we embrace manipulating them, education through discourse is the only alternative.
-
Busytown or whatever
[Read the article: I Like to Watch]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Many years ago, when I was younger and functional, we had a software package for the kids, then small and cute, based on Busytown. Mostly I remember that, unlike half the software we bought for them, it loaded and worked out of the box. And it was cool.
-
Sleep, Sleep
[Read the article: My mattress, myself]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Enjoyable and well crafted as usual, although I much prefer the outright rant as a form. But, a little balance is always good. Life does go on, despite the outrages.
Coincidence that K Chronicles also concern bed and sleep?
-
Nervous
[Read the article: Where's the brunet babe with the O.J.?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Very pleasant, as always.
My thought is, whatever happened to "nervous breakdown" which I guess is like nervous exhaustion, only a little more over the top. Seems we used to hear about such problems pretty often, but not lately. Now, its, "has entered treatment for substance abuse." Can't you just have a good ole nervous breakdown anymore? I have them often.
-
The End of Faith
[Read the article: Sinners in the hands of an angry GOP]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Subject line is title of excellent book by Sam Harris, which won Penn award for 2005 nonfiction, on how religion fosters violence.
I laughed internally (ILI?) at Ioula's post. Good on her.
And yes, the drugs they can take for paranoia have only minimal side-effects, but not likely they will be used.
Yes, there are many decent Christians who do good works, but how hard are they fighting these crazies who have siezed the national agenda, behind demagoguing pols who only want money and power? I don't even care if those pols are so deluded by self importance that they believe their own rhetoric. Sincerity in the truly deluded is only sad.
Rationalism has to speak its name loud and clear and continue to denounce the irrational.