Letters to the Editor
Tyler_Mason
Published Letters: 490 Editor's Choice: 41
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trustworthiness and honesty
[Read the article: The fallout from the Democratic debate]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Trustworthiness and honesty should rank paramount in voters decisions. A candidate's stated position on any issue isn't worth anything if that candidate is neither trustworthy nor honest.
It is funny that the old guard dems like stephanopoulos are back to arguing "electability". That worked so well in the past. As has been pointed out here so often, GW bush has proven himself electable. As such, a potato is electable.
On the other hand, electable is a handy devise. It changes the focus from the candidate and onto the electorate. Then the smarmy and smug can talk about what the rubes and idiots in the electorate think. It is so much easier to find fault with the great unwashed than with the candidates. That's why kerry lost. The stupid electorate couldn't perceive his obvious superiority. It had nothing to do with the candidate nor the party elite who supported him.
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yuck
[Read the article: In Japan, the Web prompts suicides by hydrogen sulfide gas]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Hydrogen sulfide really stinks. It must be awful waiting for a lethal concentration to build up.
Maybe locking yourself in the john with a bag of dry ice is more pleasant.
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burden of proof
[Read the article: I now call to the witness stand ... your jeans]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]It isn't that the folded jeans are more trustworthy. The burden of proof is "beyond a reasonable doubt". It appears that the folded jeans raised a reasonable doubt. Please also note that, if the accused took the stand, then the accuser and the accused gave conflicting testimony. Furthermore, the accused's plea basically says "I didn't do it". So, you have conflicting stories plus a bit of evidence supporting one side.
Just when it looks like you can string someone up on general principal, that burden of proof thing gets in the way.
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more burden of proof ...
[Read the article: I now call to the witness stand ... your jeans]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The burden of proof is indeed beyond a reasonable doubt. Here's a link:
http://www.scourt.go.kr/scourt_en/Proceedings/t04_02/index.html
From TFA, the accused did testify. There's a lot more to this case than the knee jerk reactions indicate.
Also, jury trials don't necessarily change the outcome. Many jurors take the burden of proof to heart, admit reasonable doubt, and regretfully let criminals walk. Plus, it only takes one juror to have reasonable doubt and hang the jury. It is actually easier to get a judge to put someone away.
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@magdelyn and LeCastor
[Read the article: I now call to the witness stand ... your jeans]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]You're applying American criminal/civil procedure to a country having different procedures. The Koreans don't have jury trials. As such, appellate judges are free to review and overturn any part of what the lower court judge decided. Check the link I supplied earlier: "There is little difference between the appeal and trial proceedings."
Even in American jurisprudence, there are arguments as to whether meeting the burden of proof is fact (jury decision) or law (judge decision).
And magdelyn, as someone who went to law school, you should recall the first things a lawyer does in any case - figure out the law/procedures in the jurisdiction having venue. You can't even make a procedural move (like appear) until you know the jurisdiction.
On the other hand, if your argument is that Koreans are barbaric for not having an American style legal system, then I won't argue with you. I'll just roll my eyes and move on.
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@Allie
[Read the article: Your fetus has fingernails ... and we're going to show them to you]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Actually, they say "You're eating your peer!"
It's all part of seizing the moral high ground. It's a common unsurprising tactic. PETA is getting good at it, but not as good as the televangelists. The preachers ask for 10% of your income. PETA isn't so bold, but chases a wealthier demographic.
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more OT @lateagain
[Read the article: Your fetus has fingernails ... and we're going to show them to you]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I mostly agree with melthough. Increase the amount of green stuff. It isn't as important to go organic as it is to get lots of plant stuff rumbling through the gut.
Regarding meat and dairy, it is more of a moral choice. Don't let anyone else decide your morals. I munch critter and don't feel like a sinner. I do believe that it is more important to avoid factory critter than it is to avoid factory veggies.
I think you have kids to feed. They need lots of intake. On the other hand, they also need to know how to eat once they are adults. If I had kids in the house (again) I'd concentrate (again) on teaching them to enjoy, or not resent, meatless meals. The best way to start is at weaning so they never know different. A good way to start is by having meat dishes that include veggies, moving to veggie dishes that include meat, to occasionally skipping the meat altogether. Be sneaky.
Many vegetarians don't know how to get all the stuff their bodies need. Adults can correct this with education, the occasional steak, etc. Kids, on the other hand, need to grow and should not be subjected to experiments in veganism. Kids can have an amplified response to insufficient nutrition.
Also, regarding kids, there is a good chance that they'll try veganism in their teen years. You really need to pack the house with fruits and veggies then because they need so very many calories before and during growth spurts. It's a good idea to know what to look for if they mess up. Lethargy, anemia and gum problems come to mind. How to fix 'em is, as always, a parent's dilemma. Furthermore, no need to go vegan yourself just to salve a teens ever so plastic moral stance.
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educated people?
[Read the article: You are not your bookcase]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]"That educated people are choosing not to access vast swaths of available help and information ..."
Now that is funny. I guess that is why "educated" is in the past tense for so many. Learn some stuff, enter echo chamber.
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warcraft
[Read the article: "Grand Theft Auto IV" sales top $500 million in a week]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The world of warcraft realms seem a little barren lately too. Could be a chance to go for some of the stuff that gets crowded out.