Letters to the Editor
Teensy
Published Letters: 177 Editor's Choice: 7
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Where is the compassion?
[Read the article: My vegan friend insists I justify myself]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The sad fact about veganism is, as much as it claims to be, it's not about compassion. It's about a really tiresome US against THEM mental position. Any time someone is being demanding, they are not being compassionate. I do agree with vegans. What we do to animals is horrifying and totally unnecessary. It's bad for the food, it's bad for the planet and it's certainly very cruel to the animals. People participate in it, because they are not conscious of it. They don't feel a connection to their food. They are addicted to the taste. That doesn't mean that vegans are free of addiction. Usually they are addicted to the misery of self-righteousness.
I try to make vegan choices. I often fail. I am fully addicted to croissants. I don't have time to judge what other people eat, or be whiney when I visit people. Poor diplomacy from the vegan camp is unfortunately hindering the whole movement.
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Been there, too
[Read the article: My sister has become a monster cop!]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I've also seen both sides of this. I was once a newbie social worker, working in child protection. I couldn't imagine anyone working as hard as I was, or caring as much as I did about, well, about anything. Also, the new jargon I had learned was impossible to resist using. It set me apart, and told people I was important. Well, being a savior was great and all, but after a while, I found it impossible to sustain this narrow view of life. I missed my friends, and my other interests. My boyfriend didn't. We broke up. To this day he still thinks that most other jobs are worthless and self-indulgent, although he seems to verbalize this view less. I hope the LW's sister is more like me.
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typical heath care madness
[Read the article: Maternity care is a money loser]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I live in The Netherlands where most women deliver at home. The only people bitching about it are the British and American ex-pats.
I am wildly liberal in many ways, but lawsuits for mistakes are just stupid, and they're not allowed here in arguably the most liberal country on earth. If you don't want mistakes to be made, leave the your health to God. Doctors are human. Their opinions are just that. Americans need to take some responsibility for their health, educate themselves, and stop looking at doctors as god-like magicians. You can't sue away death, illness and pain.
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Lets not overreact
[Read the article: Daddy's becoming a woman!]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I think it's a bit premature to call the child's behavior self-injurious, especially since she snapped out of it after some time. It just sounds like a nervous thing. Some people bite their nails. I pick at my cuticles. Some people smoke (talk about self-injurious!) Those having a shocked reaction to such a behavior are probably ignoring their own nervous habits. Making too much out of it, especially when she stopped on her own, will only make her feel worse.
I like Cary's idea. Reframing is a perfectly legitimate and healthy way of dealing with it. I'm not hearing even a hint of animosity between the parents. If the kid seems like she's not buying it, or gets really shut down by it, than maybe enlist the help of a professional. Being creative is still going to be necessary here, though, because not so super many professionals know how to deal with the problems of modern sexuality. There are also lots of conservative folks in their ranks who believe that such things are manifestations of disease.
It's all in how you look at it. Proceed out of compassion in any case.
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ok, brightstar...
[Read the article: Daddy's becoming a woman!]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]we get it. now take your own advice, and all your obvious charm, and go out and get laid. for the love of kerst, however, will you please stop hijacking the threads with your weird, vitriolic tirades? kthxbye.
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Good one!
[Read the article: My girlfriend's stepfather is a real a-hole ... and a dying man]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Admittedly, it was a lob, but Cary hit it out of the park, and was actually nice about it. I hope he reflects on the resounding applause of the readers, and takes your advice, or he will get another opportunity. Life is like that.
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Is there an echo in here?
[Read the article: How can we get back the thrill in our relationship?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I said something very similar, last week, while chatting with a friend: How can you expect the world to stop its wars, if you can't even make peace with your ex-boyfriend.
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I don't think she's after your job
[Read the article: My new assistant laughs at everything I say]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I think she's just nervous, and it's amplifying her quirkiness. Focus on the great job she's doing, and how qualified she is. That's what you need out of an assistant, right? So what if she's a little too weird for your corporate culture. I used to have a client whom everyone thought was really weird. When I got to know her, I found out that she was a brilliant writer when she wasn't slogging away at a database. Give her a chance. If she starts stealing office supplies or if her weirdness starts to interfere with her work, can her. Weird people need jobs, too, and they're the spice of life.