Letters to the Editor
Ken Erfourth
Published Letters: 119 Editor's Choice: 11
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It's probably a good thing, but I had to sign up to keep some troll from stealing my name
[Read the article: Salon's new letters registration policy]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Since I have always posted letters to Salon and TableTalk under my real name, this change doesn't mean much to me (and, no, I've never been "stalked" by any online psychos--I'm too boring, I guess).
However, I felt compelled to write a letter quickly in order to get registered, in case some schnook decided to steal my name to write drivel that would be attributed to me!
Ah, well...
Also, I am a trifle peeved that Joan Walsh used her blog to announce this official change in Salon policy. Sorry, but I don't like you at all, Ms. Walsh. Last time I read one of your blog entries by choice, I was moved to write a crude and abusive letter to Salon, of which I am currently a bit ashamed.
While late hours and beer certainly had something to do with this lapse of decorum, your personal style also grates on me to such an extent that I had resolved to avoid your blog in the future as a way of sparing both of us. If you persist in using your blog as a medium for transmitting official Salon policies, I fear I may be moved to ugly crudity again in the future. In the interest of civil discourse, I urge you to issue further Salon policy announcements anonymously or through a surrogate.
How about King Kaufmann, or Heather Havrilesky? I think they're both fabulous. Put Heather in charge of the whole Letters division. The snark would be heavenly.
That would give you more time to pat yourself on the back, too (uh, oh, here I go again--better end this).
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It was just such a nasty, unmerited, attack!
[Read the article: No more whining excuses]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]A lot of points have been made here about Imus, his history of helping kids, his rejection of Cheney and Bush, his celebration of black empowerment and personalities.
That's good stuff.
But his words, directed at some young women who had just barely missed winning the whole enchilada in the NCAA Tournament, were so awful and wrong! Why the hell did he say that about them? What the hell had they ever done to deserve that kind of sleazy, nasty, rotten, abuse?
That's what gets me.
What Imus said about those young women was about as horrible, in context, as a person could conceivably come up with. These women weren't posers, weren't Al Sharpton, weren't cashing in or doing anything but what they loved. They were good students at a good university who had almost accomplished something magical.
And Imus and his buddy trashed them in the lowest, nastiest, terms possible. Casually, and brutally. For no conceivable purpose except envy and bigotry.
I can't forgive that. I don't care what good Imus has done in other areas. It's over.
Good riddance.
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What's the difference? Here it is.
[Read the article: King Kaufman's Sports Daily]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]King Kaufman asks "What I mean is why do the idiot rantings of an out-of-touch gasbag have such power?"
Here's why: The out-of-touch gasbag is speaking into a microphone that is heard by millions of people. Don Imus is still completely free to speak offensively as often as he wants to. But he won't be broadcasting his offense to millions of Americans.
Here's another difference: Don Imus wasn't talking about Hillary and Bill, or Al Gore, or any other public figures, who expect to be in the fray and catch crap from blowhards. He was talking about some exceptional young women who should be role models for their peers. Who came within a few points of accomplishing something magical. And who have lives outside of sport that are also something most of us would be proud to claim.
And Don Imus, that dirty old bigot, trashed them for the hell of it.
Well, screw him. Getting rid of him may not fix everything that is wrong with public discourse, but it sure as heck won't make it worse. If it stops one dirtbag from crapping on other completely innocent victims, then we've done something positive.
We didn't lose anything by getting rid of Imus.
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Buy the gun cabinet first
[Read the article: I'm almost 21. Should I buy some guns?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Dude.
You know you're going to buy them. You've already picked out your make and model. You will buy a firearm or two in relatively short order. So be smart about it.
First, buy a secure, locking, gun cabinet (the steel kind that bolts onto part of the house or apartment, and can't be broken into with a crowbar).
Second, join a gun club. Think about whether that M1 is going to fit in with the other club folks. Target competitions are a lot of fun, but you may need a specific type of rifle to really participate. Check it out before you spring for your first piece.
Third, wait a while for the pistol. I don't ever intend to own a pistol myself (I'm a bit too volatile in the temper department to want to own such an effective one-handed killer). Armies don't routinely give pistols to enlisted men, either. Trust me on this. You shouldn't buy a pistol unless you are either a criminal, a bodyguard, or very, very, calm.
Once you've scoped out a good place to shoot it, and some sane people to shoot it with, get that rifle you want. Have a good time using it for target practice, and maybe some hunting. Take rifle safety and hunter safety classes. Learn to clean it, maintain it, maybe reload some ammo, all kinds of good stuff.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with responsible gun ownership. And if you present a progressive face to what is often a reactionary crowd (gun owners), you might get a chance to puncture some stereotypes and speak a little truth. Though I think you'd be surprised by the diversity among gun owners.
But buy your darn gun. Just make sure you give it a safe, sane home.
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Keith, you Rock!
[Read the article: The K Chronicles]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]That is such a great cartoon.
Thanks for being alive and sharing with us.
Loved the breaking through the panel bit.