Letters to the Editor
Jill S
Published Letters: 73 Editor's Choice: 3
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I asked my father in early 2001
[Read the article: Glenn Beck and a Jewish president]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]if he thought it sent a somewhat threatening message to the world that we had chosen a military man to be the Secretary of Defense, who is supposed to promote diplomacy.
He shrugged and said, "I imagine there are a few countries who are just glad the Sec Def's not a woman any more."
And that was when I realized I don't give a hoot how "they" see it. When the role is filled by the best person, be she woman, Jew, African-American, military general, whomever, the world can only respect us.
If the role is filled by an idiot, as for example our President, it doesn't matter that he's a white Christian male. The only thing anyone sees is that he's a dangerous idiot.
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But wait, there's more!
[Read the article: Cheney: "We didn't get elected to be popular"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Oh, yes, I was ready to sit in the corner in a fetal position, rocking slowly and drooling on myself after reading, "We didn't get elected to worry just about the fate of the Republican Party."
But clearly I was caving too soon (and besides, everyone's already written about that!).
Now, all you who got good grades in English class tell me what is wrong with this statement from further down in the piece:
"Well, obviously, any casualty is to be regretted."
Look at the passive verb tense.
The statement is not, "I regret...", "We regret," or even, "The casualty count is a terrible thing."
No, what he said was, casualties should be regretted! Not that he does regret them, but he knows he ought to.
What if I said, "Chocolate cake is to be avoided for breakfast"? Well, yes, that's right, I should avoid cake for breakfast. Did I? None of your business, but don't look at my dishes in the sink... :)
And that's what Cheney said, too, that by all rights, we should regret casualties. Does he? None of your business, but don't look at the caskets coming home...
All right, I've cleared my space in the corner, someone come get me if anything else happens, that is, if you don't think it will make me crazier.
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So, when I was in love
[Read the article: We hear there's a pill for that, too]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]with that guy who lived on the other side of the US and neither of us could afford to move to be with the other-- we had the love, and the drive, but we couldn't afford to take action-- I should have just called the President and he would have fixed it?
See, I've been waiting for him to do all this other stuff for me, like work with other nations for peace, secure the country, clean up the Gulf Coast, inspire us to find alternative energy sources-- you know, government stuff.
I had no idea that he was really supposed to be there to put my love into action. (Wasn't that a Howard Jones album?) Now I see why I've been so frustrated with this administration! I've been asking for all the wrong things, AND I'm doing it without the love interest that the President could have helped me secure.
Wow, I just had this all wrong...
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And who are you validating?
[Read the article: Cheney plays the blame game]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Everything you've done since 9/11 has helped, not hindered:
Osama Bin Laden (made him look invincible)
Al-Qaeda (aided recruitment)
Iran (got rid of Saddam, created a Shi'ite majority in Iraq)
Saudi Arabia (deflected all criticism from them, colluded to raise gas prices)
Oh, I could go on, but my blood pressure is going up and you're not listening anyway, you heartless bastard.
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That's British for,
[Read the article: Why we fight?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]"Ask the next guy, I'm already gone."
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You're letting me down, Tony
[Read the article: "I don't have an answer for you"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I thought when we got rid of the B Girl Dana we'd get the good stuff back, you know, the cleverly worded weaseling, the outright lies told with wide, "Aw, shucks, doncha believe me?" eyes, the turn of phrase that sends us screaming into our pillows while the GOP comes away thinking they must be doing even better than they are...
Now, Tony, human to human, if it's because you're still not feeling well from your cancer, then I'm sorry and I hope you feel better. But if you're just slipping, then stop it! I want a Press Sec that sends me seething with rage at his deft almost-lies, not one that sounds like the Attorney General.
If you're not going to be cunning, then we may as well have Dana floundering up there. She's not as good a liar but she's cute since she cut her hair.
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I'd like to see
[Read the article: Quote of the Day]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]the article the quote came from so I could read the context.
For now, I agree that Mr. Grieve is completely in the right to quote a funny quote as a funny quote. If you find the quote misleading, take it up with Obama.
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Breaking up is hard to do
[Read the article: The George and Tony show]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Poor George and Tony...
"I am proud of the relationship we have had."
"It's hard to define a relationship in, you know, sound bites or press conferences or to, you know -- in a way that really reflects the depth of what we have done together."
"And -- so I don't regret things about what may or may not have happened over the past five years."
"My relationship with this good man is where I've been focused. And that's where my concentration is. And I don't regret any other aspect of it. And so, I -- you know, we've filled a lot of space together."
I seem to remember saying similar things in a bar, weeping over a beer...
You know, sometimes the Prime Minister just isn't that into you...