Letters to the Editor
thehappychickenwillsmile
Published Letters: 19
-
OK, I was wrong
[Read the article: I was wrong about Wright]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Thinking about all the Wright stuff last night, I changed my mind, and can't defend him anymore. Obama makes the key point that I, too, agree with:
"I do think, across the board in many black churches -- there is an emphasis on the importance of social struggle, the importance of striving for equality and justice and fairness, a social Gospel... Dr. King, obviously, was the most prominent example of that kind of preaching. But you know, what I do think can happen, and I didn't see this as a member of the church, but I saw it yesterday, [THIS>>] is when you start focusing so much on the plight of the historically oppressed that you lose sight of what we have in common, that it overrides everything else, that we're not concerned about the struggles of others because we're looking at things only through a particular lens, then it doesn't describe properly what I believe in the power of faith to overcome but also to bring people together."
-
A couple of things that are great about Wright
[Read the article: Obama "outraged" by Wright]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]You know how the right has lunatics that say extreme things, and push our discourse (and what is acceptable to say) to the right? Well, first, the Reverend is so goofy in some of his appearances, he might well not be taken so seriously. And second his statements might allow moderates to broach topics it would be hard to discuss without him.
Example: What bugged me so much about Bush's war was the whole "war of choice" argument. As a country, we are supposed to only go to war when we absolutely have to. And the reason for that is the moral weight of that decision to go to war. Yes, our own citizens die, and that's very important. But we also ask them to kill civilians, and civilians were killed. I'd like to be able to talk about that as a moderate American (and patriotic! Without making a fuss.) But I'm sure I couldn't last month without being labeled extreme. I wonder if, post-Wright tirade, I can now...
He is such a wonderful showman too. I wonder... I wonder if there's a big silver lining here...
-
Flaw in the Obama/blue colar argument
[Read the article: Some thoughts about West Virginia ]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Before he was considered a front-runner, Obama's M.O. was winning small states that usually go Republican in the general election. Remember? Wisconsin, Utah, Iowa, Idaho?? In other words, he used to have a reputation for winning white people over all the time. The press started to see that split in Southern states, and all of a sudden this became Obama's "problem." (Is it just that caucuses don't count? Why?)
Also, in a normal election, without the race element, would Democrats' preference for one candidate over another have such significance? I mean, when you vote in a primary, you have to pick one person. That doesn't mean you hate everybody else.
This was a well-written post you linked to, by the way.
But, honestly, I think the issue itself is not real. It's one of those randomly manufactured stories. (And why haven't I heard this argument, above, out there anywhere?)
-
Agree, but... (and what about "ma'am")
[Read the article: What's so bad about "sweetie," anyway?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Basically I agree, especially the point about the history of it changing it. It's okay, depending on context.
But it's sad, you know, that the deprecating meaning would overpower the avuncular one.
As a guy, I kind of like the waitress/older lady use of "honey," and I'd hoped to reciprocate when I get old.
Also, if you wait tables, etc, you notice there's no practical equivalent to "sir." Many women take "ma'am" as rude, because it implies age--use it and you've effectively offended them.
It might help if one existed. I use "sir" to imply a kind of warmth and respect, and I'd like to be able to do the same with everyone. I bet Obama is the same.
A female presidential candidate could probably use "dear" for young male reporters, and only the positive connotation would come through. Maybe I'll live to see that, and then maybe the backlash.
-
thanks, kate, for that
[Read the article: The education gender gap]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]part about world domination. I mean, exactly. To me, it's more proof that you can't say everything is nature. Perhaps schools don't support boys' reading development in some way that's more subtle than the math/science misogyny of old.