Letters to the Editor
Malusinka
Published Letters: 350 Editor's Choice: 49
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EC supposes regularity
[Read the article: Ask Pablo]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Everything I read about getting a very young kid to poop in a toilet or potty started off saying most kids are regular. Stick 'em on the potty on his schedule.
No advice was ever given for non-regular kids. Toilet training is part instinct (learning where to go) and part conscious (on the part of the kid). The first step is for the kid to recognize what's happening.
Until the kid is aware of what's happening in his own body, (which might be 1-1.5) you're training the parent, not the child. This might be fine, and still reduces diaper use, but please, don't suggest that a baby under one is attaining any potty/toilet using expertise.
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Joan Walsh, please note this line
[Read the article: Rev. Jeremiah Wright isn't the problem]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Kamiya said "what the whole episode reveals is how narrow the range of acceptable discourse remains in this country"
Joan Walsh's recent opinion piece was a perfect demonstation of how narrow the range of discourse on race is allowed to be.
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I really glad at least a few other people
[Read the article: Rev. Jeremiah Wright isn't the problem]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Also were disgusted at the whole, 'they hate our freedom' crap. How can you have a decent foreign policy if you are so totally clueless about other countries and people.
And some of us gag every time we hear God Bless America. Not because I think God should damn America, but because I'm really tired of candidates needing to prove that they believe in God.
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It's the kids
[Read the article: Would you please get out of my swimming pool!]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]They want to swim. They beg their mom to swim. If Mom says, no, we shouldn't impose, they reply but Uncle said we could come any time. He did, you heard him.
And Uncle did say that. And he might have even said it to the kids. Uncle is a bit dim. I bet you don't have kids. Or maybe, Uncle loves the noise of happy kids.
Talk to your husband and set some rules. Don't say anything about the cousin's behavior to date, just inform her that there are now limits.
If the relatives are champion grudge holders, just make a point of not arguing. If cousin is rude enough to argue (but you never use the pool), just repeat your words, 'only on Fridays and call first.' Don't get offended or be offensive.
I have lots of experience dealing with a relative who gives and takes offense quickly. Make sure you're in the right and ignore offending statements. If necessary, pat yourself on the back for being a saint. It really helps.
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Of course Reps are registering to vote Democrat
[Read the article: How the long primary battle helps Democrats]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]There's no contest in the Republican primary. Unless you think Hillary and Obama are interchangeable, you vote Dem. How does this help the Democratic party?
I don't believe the cross-overs are voting for whom they see as the loser. Only a republican who doesn't think would do that. Look at the polls. McCain has not consistently polled large margins against either Democrat. The 2000 election hung on chads. No matter who wins the primary, the election will be very, very close. A sensible Rep will vote for the Dem they think is best. But, they are still voting for second choice.
But, again, how does this help the Dems?
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It's the neighbor's decision
[Read the article: The strange case of midnight renegade oleander gentrification camouflage]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]If you remove the oleanders without her permission, you'll be not much different from the oleander planting neighbor.
If the lady doesn't want them, by all means, help her serve the planter notice that she has to come and remove them and replant grass. But, be polite about it. The little old lady doesn't need any more animosity from the oleander planter.
As much as I like the idea of planting the hedge in the planter yard (where it belongs) and putting a junked out car and couch on your own front lawn, I don't think that will do much except up the level of tension in the neighborhood.
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Gee, a woman got pregnant. Wow!
[Read the article: What do you say about a pregnant man?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]As for the idea that all it takes to get pregnant is a uterus, that's a really interesting idea. Pregnant women have a whole array of hormones circulating, helping to provide for the fetus tailored to it's stage of development. The hormones also help with other things, like loosening ligaments so the stomach can stretch.
Since a man with man-made uterus wouldn't have ovaries, these hormones would have to be delivered to him artificially. What's the likelihood that scientists can deliver what the fetus needs in anything close to the ability of a pregnant woman's body? Does anyone think it is ethical to the baby to try?
Further, studies on mice have shown that there is a battle between the fetus and the mother. The fetus is better off being able to siphon off more nutirents from the mother and with more sugar in the blood. The placenta has genes that try to do this. Women have genetic mechanisms in place preserving what their bodies need. A man doesn't have this. So, the likelihood is that a 'wombtastic' man with an implanted fetus would be create serious health problems for the fetus and the man. Read Hrdy's MotherNature for more detail.
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There is a metric for whether we are winning the war on terrorism
[Read the article: Taking stock of the war on terror]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]It is surveys of attitudes towards the US in the Muslim world. Because, as the Spanish discovered when fighting the ETA, while few people become terrorists, they are supported by a large community who shares the terrorists grievances.
Al Quaida is not a government. It has no ability to tax. Its resources come from donations and businesses. Any government currently hosting Al Quaida business or activities could do a lot to hurt Al Quaida's ability to operate.
Many in the Muslim community celebrate terrorist acts. While in any community there are always crackpots and those who believe conspiracy theories, the bulk of Muslims will not listen to radical Islam if they didn't see a body of evidence to support the idea that the US/West wants to get rid of Muslims. And Bush's 'war on terror' sounds an awful lot like a code for a war on Islam.
So, when Muslim attitudes towards the US improve, we are gaining ground in the war on terror. When they dive, we are losing.