Letters to the Editor
eridanus
Published Letters: 30 Editor's Choice: 7
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Out to Lunch with Kate O'Beirne
[Read the article: My lunch with an antifeminist pundit]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Okay so when interviewing someone who talks about numbers and statistics that she pulled out of thin air perhaps you should ask for the polls - the phrasing of the questions asked, etc. Talking about numbers and research and data is completely bogus. Rush Limbaugh says things like the data says or research backs up my claim. Does this mean it's true? If I ask 3 of my friends a question - that's a poll. For example the claim that research suggests that women do not want to work full-time. Do men? Many people seem to hate their jobs and I hated the first 4 careers that I tried. If you had asked me a few years ago I would've said that I didn't want to work full-time. Even now, loving my job I wouldn't mind more vacation time (say 4 wks each year or perhaps 6...) So it's no surprise that people probably men too would like to work less, especially parents. Numbers/data/research means nothing coming from this woman.
Next, let's talk about the fact that most Americans have to work regardless of whether they are in a single parent or two parent family. Only the privileged few are able to have one stay at home parent.
I understand that this women has been seething about what some feminists said 30 years ago. I appreciate that she's apparently been too busy taking care of her kids to write this book until now but it's 30 years too late.
Thanks for sparing me the pain of reading this book which is obviously filled with drivel.
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Illness sucks
[Read the article: Just when I thought I was going to be fine, they say I'm bipolar]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Dancing naked in the street doesn't seem so bad. Sawing off your husband's finger or your own - that would be bad. I was devastated when diagnosed with Celiac disease which requires a lifelong strict diet. My mom struggles with celiac and diabetes - it's slowly killing her. Illness sucks. Yours especially because psychological illnesses seem to have their own special hells. Good luck with the struggle!
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Democratic strategist are continuing to do a great job.
[Read the article: Fear of spying]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]How about the fact that we don't know who they spied upon? How about drawing parallels with the Nixon administration? Democrats get caricatured about not being strong because our strategists keep telling us to hide from the issues of the day.
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The Artist's Way or a million other books
[Read the article: I want to quit my boring, soul-destroying job]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I found Julia Cameron's "The Artist Way" to be a truly helpful tool in discovering what I really wanted to do with my life. It's not a perfect book but of the 7 books I read in an attempt to identify my calling it was the most helpful. I think the really helpful thing is that it encourages one to really look inside. Anyway, there are millions of books on just this topic because you are not alone in what you are feeling.
Good luck finding your inspiration and path in life.
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Cafes, bakeries, the gym (climbing, yoga, etc)
[Read the article: I love to love but I hate to date]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Any place where you can usually be found will work not just a bar or restaurant.
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Region to region differences but no the South isn't more polite
[Read the article: I've had it!]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]To the person who asks if the people in the South are more polite than those in the Northeast - no.
Cultural norms vary from region to region. In some places it's considered rude to chat with the person behind the counter while there's a line out the door. In other places it's considered rude to simply bark out your order without so much as a hello. While driving in some places it's common to be cutoff and have the person brake immediately thereafter. Other places it's okay to cut someone off but only if you accelerate immediately therafter. But in other places being cutoff is completely rare.
So yes it's definitely possible to find a place where your habits, personality, appearance all fit in well with the community and it's also possible to find charm in differences.
There are genuinely nice considerate people everywhere and true creeps everywhere. There are also just the normal standards of behavior that vary from town to town, region to region, and country to country.
I find meditation and exercise help me to accept the annoyances of living in a place that will never be home.
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Your mother reminds me of my grandmother
[Read the article: My family gives me no respect]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]You are not alone. I almost stopped speaking to my grandparents when my parents got divorced. My maternal grandparents said similar things to my mother as you describe even though my father was an abusive alcoholic and I rejoiced at their divorce. I have an okay relationship with my father but he was terrible to my mother. I was furious with my maternal family for not being supportive. I would also comment that my paternal grandparents and extended family were very supportive to my mother.
Anyway, I just want you to know that you aren't alone families are crazy. Apples often fall far from the tree. We end up with different religions, values, and beliefs. Sometimes it's really hard to love them and perhaps harder to accept them. I guess sometimes it's really hard for them to love and accept us.
I wish you luck and fortitude.
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this is an increasing common experience
[Read the article: I don't fit in any boxes!]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Americans are increasingly feeling isolated and alienated from their communities and neighbors. There are numerous books on the subject. The LW's experience is more and more common in our culture. I thought Cary's advice was okay as far as it goes. It's hard to fit in and it's also hard to accept that one doesn't fit in.
We are also really bad at communicating with each other. LW's wife might have been saying that she'd like her husband to surprise her with a romantic dinner or flowers - but roses not handpicked daisies. Maybe she likes goofy and doesn't want him to be a stuffy husband. Or maybe she's tired of handling the finances and wants some help. I definitely think that LW should make sure he finds out what his wife wants from him and let her know what he wants from her.