Letters to the Editor
JenniferH
Published Letters: 9
-
The magic of Christmas?
[Read the article: Do I have the right to control how Christmas money is used?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Love this line of the letter: "...we want the boys -- ages 7 and 3 -- to enjoy the holiday with all the magic a visit from Santa brings."
There was certainly nothing magical about this letter or the spirit of its author. The boys are 3 and 7, for gods sake--and yes there should still be something magical about Christmas at that age. As for the aunt/uncle, at a certain point in life, one is supposed to discover the joy of giving, without strings attached and with high hopes that whatever the boys (or the parents)choose to spend the money on will be something they enjoy, educational or not. I believe the term "instructional materials" was used.
Ah, magical indeed.
-
In response to alarajrogers's comment
[Read the article: A hard rock]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]So your fiance/now-husband didn't buy you a diamond, and that makes you happy because now you have a nice big house, a nice car, and lots of expensive computer equipment. And you can go to sleep at night, knowing that those are not conflict-purchases. Sure, okay. But do you really think that none of those things came to you on the backs of people who worked very hard for very little money, without hardship? Perhaps no limbs were lost, but there's little room for being self-satisfied in this country when there are so many who have so little and work so hard so we can buy some expensive computer equipment and a new car. I absolutely agree that we should avoid buying conflict diamonds. And I agree that purchasing an expensive diamond engagement ring defies practicality in some cases. I would rather have some new furniture than jewelry for Christmas. But to put forth that our other extravagances and relative luxuries are more pious than a diamond is just one example of how much we take for granted in this country.
-
Finally, this is mentioned
[Read the article: Why not vaccinate boys for HPV?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]That was my first thought after I heard that girls were encouraged to get this vaccine. Why not boys? I'm glad the research is being done to move toward that possible recommendation.
-
Another sigh
[Read the article: To the worker ants of science]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I am as sensitive to anti-gay remarks as anyone, most especially when they are delivered with deeply-rooted ignorance and venom (ex: Ann Coulter). However, as I read GK's column last week, I was not at all offended. I read it for what it was--satire--and in the context of years of listening to and reading Mr. Keillor's work. That said, as I read it, I could already hear the backlash that would follow. And the apology that would follow.
Of course, we should be a nation of people who are kind to and about one another as much as we can be. But I'm afraid it's official: we've become a bunch of sissies. Who, by the way, in our political correctness, wouldn't imagine letting our kids have the fun of running about the yard playing cops and robbers, or nuclear holocaust survival games. Nope, we save that for video games.
Quick question: Is Mr. Keillor in rehab yet?
-
Why not formula?
[Read the article: Milk money]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Not only is this one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard, it's also one of the least efficient, if the goal actually is to feed children who need to be fed.
To me, it just sounds like one more (and in this case, icky, way) for Americans to impose what they think is best upon people who might be better helped another way.
Am I the only one whose stomach turns at the idea of this? Perhaps breast feeding is the most natural thing in the world. (I don't happen to believe it's the only nutritious way to feed a baby.) But giving breast milk FROM OTHER WOMEN is not natural. I'm sure the women who donate believe they are doing something good. But it's not the most well-thought out or far-reaching way to help.
I hear the echo of Oprah building one very expensive school, when several less expensive but quite suitable schools might have served more girls.
-
Quit whining...
[Read the article: Dear Sir, I write today to say that I cannot write]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I'll save space and effort and just add the link to a column from last year by Garrison Keillor titled "Writers, Quit Whining."
http://salon.com/opinion/feature/2006/05/03/keillor/
Write, or don't. But keeping a journal, which seems to be the nature that the LW's writing will take these days, is not even close to the same thing as writing good prose or structuring a novel. The LW should make that distinction, and keep the diary if it makes him/her feel better, and will (we can hope) certainly take away the need for any kind of validation.
-
It should be said...
[Read the article: I resent my fiancé because he is rich]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]...that just because her fiance's parents have money does not mean that he has money, or that he will in the foreseeable future. At the least, it seems he has chosen to live apart from any appearance of having a lot of money. The LW should, of course, deal with the feelings she is having about that possibility, but a reality check isn't out of order. And perhaps a long engagement wouldn't be out of order, either, since it seems this couple could spend a little more time getting to know each other.
-
A vote for Joe Biden
[Read the article: The Dodd and Biden show]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]It's nice to hear so much support for Senator Biden. He has been my pick all along. I hope he can find a way to garner more attention and a wider audience who will really listen to him.
His ideas on how to get us out of Iraq are the most rational of any I've heard, and he may be the only candidate who could lead the United States back to a position of respect and favor in the world.
If you live in Iowa or New Hampshire, please vote for him.