Dear Editor:

In general, I agree with Ms. Walsh. Mr. Imus should be dismissed.

I am stunned by the focus on HIM - and debate about his "intent." I don't really care whether he's a died in the wool racist or just made a mistake. The EFFECT on the athletes is what we should be discussing. How must it feel to be branded a whore, and to be categorized by a slur about one's hair, rather than have one's athletic abilities recognized, evaluated or admired?

This is the climate that such people as Mr. Imus creates, one in which it's just fine to make abusive comments about minorities. It's mean spirited, it's nasty, and it is not funny.

A time should be coming when such smallness of soul and spirit have no place in this country. I applaud Rev. Sharpton, and his response, and wish that we could have humor that affirms the human spirit rather than denigrates it.

Sincerely yours,

Susan McGee

For several years, I worked at a child abuse agency. I heard parents who abused (beat or tortured) their children state that they had been "beaten" or "burned" and it had not hurt them.

When I hear defense and justification for the disgusting things Alec Baldwin said to his daughter, I am enraged.

Children do not deserve to be treated disrespectfully. They have the right not to be called names, nor to have their self esteem eroded by the (alleged) grownups who are charged with their care and welfare.

My parents did not call me names, nor did they call each other names.

Of course, I have lost my temper with my children and said things I should not have. However, when I've been inappropriate I have told them I was sorry, that I should not have said what I did. Often I may say that what they did was wrong, but that I should have responded in a better way.

Treating children respectfully and raising children with rules, guidelines and boundaries are not incompatible.

We get CONSTANT comments about how polite our children are from strangers, teachers, day care providers and friends. That's because we don't tolerate rudeness. We consistently demand that our children be courteous. We tell them that we (my partner and I) are courteous to each other, and are polite to them. It's a rule in our house (along with the no hitting rule).

We encourage them to be affirmational and not critical with each other. We do the same with them. We refuse to be mean spirited. We notice and praise good behavior.

We ask them whether they would rather be like Dudley Dursley (whose parents spoil him so that he is ill mannered, and mean) or like the Weasleys (whose parents are strict, but love their children).

It takes great strength of character and discipline to be kind to your children, yet teach them morality and character.

We also teach our children that they do not have to put up with the bullies, the foul mouthed, and the rude children in school and on the playground (the ones whose parents swear, call them little fuckers, or thoughtless little pigs, or who have no manners). We tell them they can stand up for themselves, and defend themselves in case of physical attack.

I'm disgusted with all of you who are teaching your children to be as rude as you are.

Susan McGee, Eureka, California

He said that the Dems were reluctant to talk about Craig's misdeeds because of the CLINTONS?

What do former PRESIDENT Clinton's infidelities have to do with SENATOR Clinton...except that we feel sorry that her husband was cheating on her.....?

What am I missing?

Susan McGee

I object.

JKR objects to the publication of the Lexicon for PROFIT because she plans to publish an encyclopedia and donate the

proceeds to charity.

How is that greedy?

Susan McGee

Hi...

I think that your feelings are clear.

You are happier now that she's gone, and you'd like to end the relationship.

If you feel that way, do it.

Relationships should not be held together by duty and obligation.

You are paying for her recovery costs..you have done the right thing..now take care of yourself and your child.

Give appropriate visitation, be kind, be caring, but don't get back in a relationship that you don't want.

That's not good for you, your child, or your partner.

Susan

This male dominated crap makes me sick to my stomach.

One is supposed to be strong. One is not supposed to cry.

What a bunch of junk.

And one is NEVER, ever supposed to cry because one is personally upset! Oh, no....supposed to keep a stiff upper lip, show how strong and controller we are.

AND, you can only cry for IMPORTANT things like class struggle, or Hurricane Katrina.

Susan

Gosh, most of us thought Mr. Moore's outburst was absolutely moral, totally courageous, and quite delightful....(in a smash the state way).

How come you pundits are still out of step with the American people..

And you know MILLIONS of people demonstrated AGAINST the war BEFORE Mr. Moore had the guts to do it at the awards.

Susan

For those who say that the Clinton campaign hasn't "categorically denied" forwarding the photo of Sen. Obama in traditional Somali dress...

Maybe they don't want to "categorically" deny it until they've investigated it, and assured themselves that it WASN'T one of their employees or volunteers.....

I really don't think that Sen. Clinton is stupid.

There is no way she would have authorized or approved of such an action.

It's more likely to be a dirty trick by a Republican like Roger Stone...make it look like it's originating from Sen. Clinton (hurt her) AND foster some racism and ethnocentrism which will work against Sen. Obama (hurt him).

The Drudge report -- we're now believing them?