Letters to the Editor
ML
Published Letters: 29 Editor's Choice: 7
-
The Heart of the Matter
[Read the article: A man's right to choose -- a second take on Dalton Conley]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Reading all of these vitriolic posts, the real issue here becomes clear: some women resent the fact that it is they, and not their male sex partner, that must carry the burden of pregnancy. Because they get pregnant, all of the related choices are theirs alone. Men can make choices "when an embryo can be artificially implanted in their abdomens", until then shut up and pay up - live with my choice. It amazes me - no - it astounds me that so many people can be so blind to the concept of basic fairness. I don't argue that a man should have any control over a woman's choice to have, or not have a child. However, this idea that the male involved should have his life altered by that choice, whether he agrees with it or not - and without any input whatsoever, is simply wrong. If a woman chooses to have a child, against the wishes of her partner, it's her choice and her responsibility. As for abstaining from sex, once again (as so many other posters have pointed out), it seems that it's all the man's responsibility. So let me see... women have all the choices, and men have all responsibility because they can't keep it in their pants, unlike virtuous, sexless women. Let me give you a news alert, women also choose to have sex and are fully capable of using birth control on their own. If they don't want to get pregnant, they have options to prevent it from happening in the first place. Sex is a two-way street, with both sides having choices to make before and during the act. The problem here is that after the act is finished, only one half of the couple is allowed to decide anything. This reminds me of an argument that many conservatives use against gay marriage, and gay/lesbian parenting and I've heard it many times. "They (meaning gays and lesbians) gave up that right (to marry and raise children) when they chose to be gay." The idea here is one of punishment. You chose to be gay, so live with it. You don't get to enjoy the benefits and choices that "normal", straight people do. Likewise, many women here are saying to men "you gave up the right to make any reproductive decisions when you chose to have a penis. When you get yourself implanted with a vagina, we'll talk." Sounds absurb, doesn't it? Yes, it is absurd!
-
Rebecca, Get A Life
[Read the article: The stay-at-home mystique]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Raising a child, even if one wishes to view it as a career, is only an 18-year temp job. The outcome isn't as stable as retirement, and even though you spend your days fingerpainting and cleaning up messes, there is no guarantee that you won't raise the next Ted Bundy.
Motherhood is overrated. As a young professional female with a variety of interests, hobbies, and relationships, I've never felt the slightest twinge of maternal instinct.
Well, bravo to you, Terri Fizer. I'm so glad your life is so fulfilling. I'm even happier that you won't be raising kids any time soon.
I don't have kids and probably never will, but I don't spend my free time denigrating those that do. Nor do I, like Rebecca Traister, have an axe to grind towards every female that isn't working a fifty hour a week job in corporate America, or worse, at the local Wal Mart (which is more indicative of the majority of America - low wages at a crap service job). Will someone please get Rebecca a life so we can put an end to her endless rants about women who choose a different life than hers, and men who just can't seem to do anything right?
I'm appalled that motherhood is held in such contempt by so many of the people who read Salon. Raising kids IS an important job. And no, it's not an 18 year temp job. Most jobs in corporate America last between 3-5 years at best, so 18 years at anything is quite a stretch. Motherhood should be respected, and raising kis is the most valuable thing you can do in this world as kids grow up to be adults. Kids are our future. Raising a decent, healthy human being is far more important in the long run than crunching numbers, or doing data entry for a shipping company, or stuffing a sweater into a shopping bag. Do you really all kid yourself into believing that your jobs are that important? I suppose we'd be better off just letting kids raise themselves? Oh, that's right - we tried that already. Those were the latch-key kids, the very ones who are so fucked up now. I don't care if it's the mother or the father who stays at home, and I don't criticize those who can't afford for either parent to do so, but give those that take on this responsibilty a break and a little bit of respect. From where I sit, they whine far less than the well-educated and enlightened readers of Salon. Feminism gave women a choice, and opened up the door for many fathers to do so, too. The choice is theirs, not yours Rebecca, or anyone elses.
-
Hello, Julius
[Read the article: Bush's impeachable offense]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I would love to hear Gore Vidal's take on all of this, but I think it would go something like this...
As in ancient Rome, with which the United States has numerous parallels, we are witnessing the end of the Republic and the dawn of the Empire. I know imperial comparisons have been made before, but this is really it. If Bush can get away with committing, and admitting to these crimes, then he truly has been anointed Emperor as he is above the law and will not be held accountable. Congress is nothing more than a formality, a tradition, and the United States as a political entity has taken a decided turn.