Letters to the Editor
aveutter
Published Letters: 199 Editor's Choice: 32
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When the public didn't know who they were
[Read the article: No wonder they called him Turd Blossom]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]There was a time when Presidential advisors remained behind the scenes. By the time Reagan ran for his second term they were running the show, and had the same names, or very nearly. Now it seems as though they are more powerful than the President, why? Probably because they aren't elected and answer to no one. Perhaps we should all take a dose of salts and admit we are just electing the man who appoints the leader of this country. Pretty soon we will be electing the man who appoints the man, who appoints the man.
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Blocking the Path to Foreclosure
[Read the article: Panic on Wall Street]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]These socalled Mortgage derivatives do not represent a firewall. Recently some lawyers trying to assign blame have tried to go after the lenders who didn't make the necessary judgements about the borrowers credit rating. What seems to be occurring is a legal struggle about who owns this paper, and legal challenges to the path of foreclosure. It may take years in the legal system to decide who really owns these properties, which is the right to assume first access to the proceeds from the assets, but the legal problems could prevent a resolution any time soon. Blocking the distribution of these assets puts the financial companies involved in a dangerous position, being unable to sell these properties and clear their books, they could be forced to carry this bad paper for years. The Fed can audit the banks balance sheets on a case by case basis. They might be forced to turn a blind eye, but the same thing that happened in the Japanese deflation of the 90's would be the likely result. At the time arrogant Wall Streeters called the Japanese system Crony Capitalism. Right.
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Pro War Ideology, Pro-Appeasement Foreign Policy
[Read the article: The rigid pro-war ideology of the foreign policy community]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]This is just another example of George Bush straying from his parties core beliefs. Heritage has written volumes on the growing Chinese military threat, their blue water Navy, and freedom of the seas.
Bush has been an apologist on China, mentioning reunification in a speech in Taiwan, and pulling troops back from the DMZ in Korea. The facts, which won't be known for another decade, is that Bush is the weakest, most frivilous President in recent history.
The NATO missile provocation directed at Russia, was Cheney's idea, but it fit neatly into their plan to isolate liberal Europe. After 9/11 it became clear that the European leaders were an obstacle to America's authority. (The Balkans War was a U.S. run operation, with reluctant U.N. approval. China vetoed the action, and we bombed their embassy in Belgrade in retaliation.)
Bush two succeeded in separting the anti-war left from the mainstream Democratic party, to further solidy the break that was made in Gulf War I.
The real victim is a rational foreign policy. I've thought for some time that at least one Democrat would hammer Bush on this, but so far no takers. It is possible be against the Iraq war, and in favor of a tougher foreign policy on China. Putin's jointly run anti-terrorist missile defense sites was a Machievellian deal. Arming Iran was a gentle hint from Putin, for Bush to go in. Russia wants to be the new OPEC, which makes the old OPEC something of a problem. Bush one would have taken the offer, he was a player. Bush two should know that the weapons Russia gave the Iranians would not be enough, and would never be in capable hands, and that Russia would share key intelligence on Iran's military capability. Apparently one discretionary war is all a President is allowed. Bush two used his in Iraq.
The pro-war ideology you mention contains a great deal of appeasement, especially concerning China. The real bargaining chip for this Bush administration is Europe. To that purpose we have been able to influence their elections, and bring more Right Wing leaders to power. (Maybe Rove was more successful than we think).
The policy of the two leading Democratic Presidential contenders doesn't deviate much from the Bush policy where it concerns preemptive action. Clinton two has already made hawkish overtures on Iran. Obama is going into Pakistan, no matter what. The real question is where is the larger foreign policy going? What's the deal with China? Is a right leaning Europe in our interests? What are the domestic consequences of all this militancy?
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Post 9/11 baseball
[Read the article: When the National Review attacks]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]so Joan, it was right after 9/11 and the game was finally going again, the Braves were in Shea, and they have the lead, in a tight divisional race, going into the 7th inning, and Lisa Minelli came out and sang New York, New York with a couple of firefighters. The crowd got into it.
The umpires got into it. Steve Karsay came out to try and put the fire out. He threw a couple of really nice strikes, but the umpire, still hearing those wonderful lyrics in his ear, called them balls.
So Karsay did what he had to, he came in with the next pitch, and wham, there it went, and the Mets were ahead. Karsay lost his cool. some of the Braves coaches had to drag him off the mound, kicking and screaming. He later was traded to the Yankees, and not sure where he is now, probably in the same insane asylum most of us are in.
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Fast forward to the present
[Read the article: Fred Thompson's revealing back story]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]George Bush once smoked pot, that didn't make him a hippy. Thompson is up to his neck in Iran Contra and the K street lobbyists. Once he believed in peace and love, and I once had a full head of hair.
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Rudy, Rudy
[Read the article: Tom the Dancing Bug]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The guy looks like Guiliani to me. Sounds like him too. (Remember the A-Okay on air quality at Ground Zero?). Yeah he looks the Mayor of Hell.
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Bush Wins
[Read the article: The Democrats' responsibility in the wake of Gonzales' resignation]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]No AG, No SEC, the Federal Reserve Chief in his pocket, the war on terror thoroughly privatized, at twice the cost to accomplish half the benefits. A group of handpicked generals to run the war in Iraq. The rubber stamp Congress in recess. Life is good for George Bush.