Letters to the Editor
fellowtraveler
Published Letters: 9 Editor's Choice: 1
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Salon is part of the problem
[Read the article: "The message is so powerful, in spite of my shortcomings"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]So what happened to the Fourth Estate? In a republican government, the press occupies the critically important role of informing the public. I'm not sure at what point the media completely abandoned its responsibilities (actually I do know, sometime shortly after the election of 2000 and before the Summer of the Shark), but the entire republic pays the price.
Personally, I would be interested in reading an interview that actually focused on Ron Paul's policies. I don't care whether Paul has seen "V for Vendetta." I do care that in last month's Outside magazine he said that in a Ron Paul administration he would do away the EPA. Why not ask about that? And while you are on the subject, ask the libertarian how he feels about the FDA, the FCC, the SEC, or any of a host of regulatory agencies. How does he feel about the minimum wage? I would love to hear him offer a direct answer on any or all of these subjects. This interview was a wasted opportunity, Salon.
Salon, if you are not part of the solution...
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Rove causes cancer
[Read the article: The Headless McCain Smear]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]A December 1999 Dallas Morning News linked Rove to a series of campaign dirty tricks, including his College Republican efforts, allegedly starting a whisper campaign about Ann Richard being too gay-friendly, spreading stories about Jim Hightower’s involvement in a kickback scheme and leaking the educational history of Lena Guerrero. The article also outlined current dirty tricks and whisper campaigns against McCain in South Carolina, including that “McCain may be unstable as a result of being tortured while a prisoner of war in North Vietnam.” (DMN, 12/2/99) After the article was published, Rove blasted Slater in the Manchester, NH airport, “nose to nose” according to one witness, with Rove claiming Slater had “harmed his reputation,” Slater later noted. But according to one witness, “What was interesting then is that everyone on the campaign charter concluded that Rove was responsible for rumors about McCain.”
I don't know enough to comment on the other allegations in this piece (although I certainly recall the whisper campaign about Richards' sexual orientation), but I can tell you that Lena Guerrero LIED about her educational background. This wasn't some Rove dirty trick. She lied. And I'm not sure that Rove can be blamed (credited, really, since she lied) for leaking this information. I believe it was discovered by the University of Texas, the institution from which she falsely claimed to have graduated (with honors, no less).
I can't believe I'm coming to Rove's defense, but whether it was Rove's doing or not, Guerrero got what she deserved.
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It's the double standard
[Read the article: David Shuster, scapegoat?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]My objection was not to the fact that he used the term "pimped out." It's that his broader point was that using Chelsea for campaigning purposes was "unseemly." But, as has been noted all over the net, all the candidates have used their children in this way. Yet, Schuster singled out Chelsea. It's that same old MSM BS: if a Clinton does it, then it's "unseemly."
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It's the sexism, stupid
[Read the article: Dean says he's concerned about a prolonged race]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Obama supporters keep talking about race, but never seem to notice the sexism. I am utterly disgusted with the press and my fellow Dems. I will never cast a vote for that smug, self-righteous, empty shell of a candidate who keeps crying race while allowing the rampant sexism to go unchallenged. I will either note vote or vote for my least favorite spoiler, Nader. And if my vote helps McCain into the presidency, I just don't give a damn. If this country survived eight years of Bush, it can survive McCain.
People may say that means I'm a bad Democrat, but I have no interest in being a good Democrat if it entails putting up with a constant barrage of sexist crap that Democrats suddenly don't seem to care about.
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Ford, Mondale and Carter
[Read the article: Let 'em duke it out]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Can we please keep in mind the actual facts surrounding these elections.
Ford was forever tainted by his pardon of Nixon; Carter's administration was a disaster; and MONDALE!!! was an uninspiring candidate who told the American people he would raise taxes, and, lest we forget, was running against the Great God Reagan. To say that a protracted primary fight was responsible for their losses is ridiculous.
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If he has nothing to hide, then why won't he answer questions
[Read the article: Some free advice for Obama]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The same can be said of the Clintons. Their tendency to obfuscate rather than honestly answer is well known and is as disturbing as it ever was. Clearly the Clintons need to provide their tax returns and Bill needs to release that list of donors to his library. The longer they hold out, the longer it looks like they have something to hide.
But as of right now, Obama is no better. Oh, I know that Glenn Greenwald says there's nothing to the Rezko story, but if so, why won't Obama talk to reporters?
Obama says he's a new kind of politician practicing the politics of change. But his refusal to cast light on his murky dealings with Rezko sure seems like politics as usual to me.
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I can't help but notice that no one here has addressed a very simple point:
[Read the article: Some free advice for Obama]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]If Obama has nothing to hide, if there is nothing wrong going on, then why has he stonewalled reporters? Especially given that Obama is now--quite rightly--questioning Hillary Clinton about her tax returns. If she needs to be forthcoming--and she does--then so does he.
It sometimes seems as if Obama supporters are unable to view their candidate honestly. Frequently Obama supporters respond to questions raised about their candidate by attacking Clinton. How refreshing it would be to hear--just once--an Obama supporter admit that Obama is just a politician, with failings and weaknesses like every other politician. It is this tendency to never see failings and never admit weaknesses that lead to the charges that his supporters are engaging in a cult of personality.
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Paik Industries
[Read the article: Finale wrap-up: "Lost"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Sun's father was told that the money for the buyout came from 5 different banks. Excluding Aaron, that would seemingly be the Oceanic 6. Also, Sayid said in an earlier episode (when he was golfing/assassinating at an ultra-exclusive resort), that he had been the recipient of a substantial settlement. Plus, don't forget that Hurley was already rich.