Letters to the Editor
Ben Sen
Published Letters: 539 Editor's Choice: 97
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The Shame Game
[Read the article: Hastert's ouster: An unavoidable snowball or a cold day in hell?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Tom Reynold's interview was all over cable last night. He made it clear he passed the first round of emails on to Hastert last spring, and Hastert has thrown the buck back at Foley, who took himself out of the que with his resignation.
How about this: with the betrayal the moralists are already experiencing will this be the straw that breaks the camel's back? Could it be that simple--finally?
And then: The Dems. They would certainly be within the grounds of "fair play," if they hammered them for all they're worth. At least they are free from the tarnish of hypocracy at present, after all, their "ideology" isn't basically an outreach program to hysterical Bible thumpers.
I am going to look, however, for those who at least show some sensitivity toward the personal nature of the scandal. That's the high road, the road that appeals to moderates who have had enough of the mud slinging.
Yeah, Mr. Foley has a problem. Bill Clinton had a problem. Lots of competent and productive people have dark sides, but it only plays into the hands of the naive, ignorant, and manipulative to make it the sole criteria for judging a political figure.
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More Dem Bashing, Just What We Need
[Read the article: Wimpy Rambos]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Gary: Beating Dems up by progressives was proven a loser in '04. The problem is with thinly disquised "third party" messages like yours that do not take into account that the Republican party is being held hostage by 30 million evangelists WHO VOTE AS A UNIT.
If during the next two years efforts are not made to solidify moderates, particulary in the Democratic Party, and reach out to those who are still sane enough not allow themselves to be swept away by third party "sentiments, you aren't doing the rest us who are sick and tired of right wing domination any favors.
I fear you are another fantasist at a time when it is necessary to get real, but would love to be wrong.
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Stooping to Win
[Read the article: The elephant in the room]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I agree with Mr. Shapiro this is the sort of thing that leaves the pollsters sputtering. They were doing it last night on cable--unable literally to address the issue.
Would it be as bad if Foley was a Democrat because the Democrats don't rely so heavily on "scandal" to get elected? And how much does it put other close races in jeopardy? It's like judging a horse race based on how much sweat the horses had when they went into the dock.
Here is another consideration: Won't it impact voter turnout since it will raise passions and then districting will become the issue?
The case of Wilson in New Mexico drumming her opponent because she was on the page committee at the time Foley was acting out is no credit to the Democrats. It is pure pandering to the lowest common denominator. Let's hope the voters agree--even if it does mean a Republican win--I find that kind of politics despicable and have little regard for a politician who wants to win so relentlessly. What will they stoop to next?
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Elephant Poop
[Read the article: Miracle drug of anger]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Learning how to lighten up and have a good laugh when the elephants poop on our heads, that's what keeps liberals young Garrison--but you know that. It's a delight to see you on salon.com.
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Grow Up America
[Read the article: It's the coverup, stupid]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Whether Foley is an alcoholic is immaterial. The fact that he has a far worse addiction, namely sex addiction, is the problem. A person does not jeopardise all they stand for unless they have a serious case. This isn't a kid masturbating in his bedroom. He isn't going to rehab for a few weeks to get over it. That's a ploy. There is a reason why sex offenders are the most recidivist of all criminals--it is because the addiction is the hardest to beat.
I suspect what happened with Bill Clinton will happen with Mark Foley. The situation will be exploited for all it's worth politically; the hysterics will get their day, the moralists will retreat further from reality, and the American public will learn no more about what it is to have such a problem, and what if anything can be done about it in terms of greater understanding, or on an broader, institutional level. (Forcing health insurers to cover sexual recovery, and providing funds for clinics would be a start.)
We're not a very responsible society. Not for the long term. If this doesn't prove it, especially after the scandals in recent years, I don't know what does. Calls for more and more punishment don't help. We hide so much in the closet we don't know when there is a demon outside the door ready to break in to eat us, our children, and our children's children. We are about enforcing a code that is no longer relevant, like homosexuals are "bad," and thus cause the very condition that makes such men conceal themselves, and become predators.
Is it too much to ask America to grow up, or only those segments so confused and reactionary they don't want to know everybody has a dark side--and some are simply more fortunate than others that it can be kept private, and not cause harm?