Letters to the Editor
Penomee
Published Letters: 3
-
Why the fan the flames of abusive behavior while protesting violence elsewhere?
[Read the article: Beyond the Multiplex]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I have often felt there were two Salons: the brilliant and enlightening Salon which provides a home to humane and concerned critics of violence, especially critics of the Bush Administration; and a second Salon, which seems to enjoy destructive sensationalism.
I cannot state more strongly how disheartened I feel by some of your story choices, especially the choice of publicizing bestiality. As a riding instructor to both abled and handicapped persons, I see the vulnerability and bravery of persons who are inspired by animals. As a disabled woman with a service dog, and one of the riding instructors who is also disabled, I am served with love daily by compassionate and intelligent animals who have helped me regain the ability to walk after bouts of crippling sciatica.
Animals are vulnerable. My service dog is a 165 pound Saint Bernard whose original owner was a drug dealer who attempted to starve the dog to make him a mean meth lab guardian. When I first rescued my Saint, he was 20 pounds underweight, needed two eye operations and had ear infections.
Why not celebrate the devotion and dedication of those who helped my Saint get well, and the patience and kindness of my lesson horse, who has helped autistic and other persons learn to ride?
And why not reject publicizing animal and other forms of abuse, if you are truly against violence?
-
What do we do with our fear?
[Read the article: War, chaos and Bush's faith]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]It is possible that before he leaves office, the child lunatic presently in office will give the order to attack Iran with "bunker busting" nuclear weapons.
In the sixties, when I understood that Americans might use nuclear weapons in Southeast Asia should a numerically superior enemy assist North Vietnam in repelling our invasion, I, along with millions of others, engaged in protests that were eventually able to restrict our aggression in Southeast Asia and finally force our military to leave.
My fear is as great now as it was then when I contemplate the mentality of our current President and the support of his neo-conservative advisors for first use of nuclear weapons. Do other people here feel the same way? What is the answer, politically? The head of the House Judiciary Committee has refused to introduce a bill of impeachment, believing there are not enough votes to support it. The desires of the American people for withdrawl from Iraq are not being heard, much less respected.
If millions of Americans pour into the streets and consistently demand an end to the war, will the mainstream media cover the protests? Will the Executive and Congressional branches grow less deaf?
If we, the world, are in the most precarious position of waiting for Bush and his team to launch nuclear weapons, why are we not pouring forth and asserting our right to survive?
Where is everybody?
-
Forgiveness and self-forgiveness are gifts of healing, and they work.
[Read the article: 15 years ago I said something offensive and now I want to apologize ]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Congratulations for having the courage to face a part of your past that troubles you. Please ignore the petty criticisms in some of the other letters here... you are showing great moral integrity and your request for forgiveness and sincere regret are absolutely right in this situation.
I speak from experience, having received amends from two high school bullies years after the fact. These amends were very helpful to my growing past hatred of kids who attacked me when I was extremely vulnerable. Making several written apologies over the years to people I injured verbally has been of great help to me as well.
I totally support your path to forgiveness and self-forgiveness.