Letters to the Editor
StefanMuc
Published Letters: 97 Editor's Choice: 4
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A secular society
[Read the article: The veil vs. French values]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I'm not French, but that's my impression what France wants to be: a secular society. There is religious freedom, but you are not supposed to impose your religion on others. The French want citizens who take their civic duties seriously who vote and participate in the political process. So if you apply to become a citizen they want to know if you are willing to contribute, if you are willing to stand for the ideals of their republic.
I think looking at it from this perspective it becomes clear why they wouldn't want this woman to become a citizen. Citizenship would be an advantage for her, but it would be a burden for the rest of society.
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Is there really much of a point?
[Read the article: O'Really?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Ok, let's say medical insurance pays for the pill (and condoms maybe too?). That means there is more money being paid out of the insurance system. The only money going into the insurance system comes from the insured. So now the premiums go up and everybody pays more. Do we really gain much by that?
Everytime something is handled via an insurance system, administrative overhead is generated and that increases costs, too. So for small expenses which are incurred by almost everybody (at least indirectly - paying for your daughter's or for your partner's pills) I don't think that makes economic sense. Because now rather than paying $x/month to get the pill you are adding $x+$overhead/month to your insurance bill.
I'm not sure how common ED really is, but let's say the same applies - almost every male has that problem from a certain age. So everybody gets the drug "free" and everybody has their insurance premium increased. In this case the same should apply, and Viagra should be taken out of the insurance system.
It really only makes sense to insure, if the chance to have the problem is low, and the costs are high. Then we band together - everybody pays a small amount into insurance, and if we happen to belong to the unlucky few - well than we are insured and can get treatment.
Having said all that: the medical insurance system in the US sucks, it costs a lot more than in most other industrial nations, and the benefits are lower. I'd be all in favour to scrap the US system and replace it with another one which works better and ensures that everybody gets all the medical drugs they need. That's seems not much of a political option for the US, for some reason.
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Personal dignity
[Read the article: "WTF" of the day: Botox bridal parties]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Seems way over the line to even ask somebody to modify their body to be more decorative for a wedding. It doesn't really matter whether additional pressure is applied - the mere question is too much. I don't understand how anyone could have so little respect for their friends.
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Pilot, Copilot, Stewardess
[Read the article: Ask the pilot]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Well Patrick, it seems to me that you've been on the other side of this debate, too?
Airlines can choose whatever terms they like to refer to their personnel. If they wish they can change those terms every few years, too. However they don't get a say over the terms the public uses and likes.
If you think about it - isn't it actually quite rude to tell other people that they have to change their language to accommodate your personal preferences? We are not referring to a plumber as a "pipe technician" or to a garbage man as a "waste disposal engineer". So why "first officer" instead of a perfectly good and readily understandable term which is widely in use?
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This again!?
[Read the article: What's next for Edwards?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Lying about cause of a war: important. Lying about who you have sex with: not important. Listen up Americans: the world has had it with your obsession about sex "scandals" - for the havoc you wrecked you owe some serious political effort for a change!
You want to be entertained by other people's sex live: watch a soap opera on TV, but keep this frivolous nonsense out of politics.
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Arranged marriage
[Read the article: Looking for the perfect stranger ]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I have some Indian friends and colleagues, so I would sometime ask them how this "arranged marriage thing" works. Of course it depends on the region, the economic circumstances, social background and family. However it seems the more modern variation works like this: your parents suggest some possible mates, you go and meet them - spend a lot of time talking trying to get to know each other. After that you indicate your preference, and if the other person agrees, too - then you get married. The conversations during these meetings are (of course) very intense.
I guess it's similar to speed-dating, in a way... However I think part of this system is that the people involved have the intention and expectation to get married. If you feel you have the option to back out, or would rather look around a bit more it probably won't do much for you. So I'm curious how it worked out for Anita.
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Will it work?
[Read the article: Should I tell my boyfriend's wife about our affair?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]You are not guaranteed a specific result if you tell her. He will very likely paint you as the evil seductress which led him astray - fully knowing that he was married. He may well say that you were just seeking revenge because he broke up with you in oder to try and save his marriage. She loves this guy, she'll hate you - who is she going to believe? I don't have a conclusive answer what to do in your case, but I think you should consider that angle.