Letters to the Editor
Mike_in_New_Mexico
Published Letters: 101 Editor's Choice: 7
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Colonialism anyone?
[Read the article: One more good reason to lift the embargo on Cuba]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I am all for ending the embargo on Cuba. Then maybe they can buy medicine and food and stuff.
However, the idea that we should or could encourage them to plant the entire island in sugar cane to fuel our selfish need to drive our SUVs 100 miles a day between our jobs and our houses in the suburbs is total bullshit. Ideas like that are why Cuba is communist in the first place. Why should the people of Cuba turn their little independent island nation into a gas pump for the world's greediest country?
Instead of offshore drilling and planting 3rd world countries in sugar cane, why don't we just work on conservation and alternative fuels? Germany is currently getting a huge fraction of its power from solar. If we start now, we could significantly reduce our fossil fuel consumption before those offshore wells are producing enough oil to matter, before we can build enough nuclear plants to matter, and before sugar plantations in Cuba can yield enough ethanol to matter.
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wonder about the universe
[Read the article: Religion is poetry]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]"To be an atheist is not to be stunned by the mystery of things or to walk around in wonder about the universe."
What? I am an atheist and the universe amazes me. One does not have to be religious to take wonder in the world around us.
I suppose that a common misconception about athiests, that we are all just klingon types that think only in logic and express no emotions. However, that's just an ignorant stereotype.
It sure is easy to beat up on atheists these days. Remember, atheism is the oldest religion!
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Another useless article
[Read the article: Ask the pilot]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Seat ploppers? Spirit airlines? You have a national column and this is all you got to talk about?
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Your part is done.
[Read the article: 15 years ago I said something offensive and now I want to apologize ]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]What if the letter simply reminds the victim of something unpleasant that he or she forgot? What makes you think that this person will even remember you? You are not the center of the universe.
Sometimes in life we don't get to apologize.
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ugh
[Read the article: Four clueless actors, a dream and a paper bag]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]An independent film that is a spoof of the latest independent film craze? That sounds like fun! I can't wait to not be able to find it at my local arthouse theater!
Seriously, if you get the lucky chance to be able to make a real movie, is this what you really want to make? Baghead? Can't you think a little bigger or deeper than that?
This is why everyone else in the world hates American culture. Even our independent film is useless.
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Scully and women in science
[Read the article: Scully have I loved]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]When I graduated with my B.S. in chemistry in 1992, women majoring in any science discipline (except maybe biology) were rare at best. Today (16 years later), chemistry majors at the college I teach at are 50% female. One wonders what the role of Scully was in this remarkable transformation. Many of the kids in my chemistry classes probably grew up watching X-files.
From what we know about the gender gap in science, math, and engineering, female role models are very important. The role of Scully was one of the first strong, independent, female M.D.s in television that I can remember. Can anyone remember an earlier one?
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One of life's great experiences?
[Read the article: Should I play this cruise ship gig -- with my anxiety and depression?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Dear LW,
"Playing as a musician on a cruise ship is one of life's great experiences."
Cruise ships are evil. They are like gigantic floating couches pulled up to an all you can eat buffet. Their carbon footprint is enormous. They spew pollution in harbors and out at sea. They catch fire, break down, and give their prisoners food poisoning. The cruise ship companies enforce arcane rules about dress and seating arrangements and they hire men to dance with old lonely women (while you play). Worst of all, cruise ships decimate everything local and authentic in every port they touch.
Cruise ships are everything that is wrong with travel. Leisure travel should be a personal journey, not a group exercise in gluttony.
Don't do it. You are a musician, not entertainment for cattle. Plus, you wont have any time to "see the world." You will work constantly and the cruise ship company isn't going to want you to leave the ship.
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Who wants another oldster dithering in the Oval Office?
[Read the article: The trouble with John McCain]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Well, sadly lots of folks do.
Many red-state Americans really want to see McCain in office. Simply put, they fear anyone who doesn't look and think like they do. Those on the far left apparently also want to see McCain in office too. They are busy criticizing Obama for moving toward the center, ignoring the possible horrors of a McCain presidency. Ardent Hillary supporters also seem to want McCain to be elected. Many of these sore losers are vowing to vote for him.
I did enjoy your column. I too am giddy at the thought of an end to our collective 8 year nightmare. I am tired of being ashamed of our great country and look forward to a time when America will represent what it once did.
However, there is a lot of work to do before we get there. I think one of the major mistakes of the 2004 election was assuming that Kerry would have no problem beating Bush. This election will be close. Don't count your chickens before they hatch. Don't rest just yet. You have the ear of middle-America, use it!
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Scientists aren't preachers
[Read the article: What's wrong with science as religion]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Science is not a religion or a replacement for religion. Most atheists aren't scientists and most scientists aren't atheists. Science is belief based on observable facts and religion is belief based on faith. To call Dawkins and his like "preachers" is completely incorrect. They are advocates for atheism who also happen to be scientists.
What's wrong with criticizing religion? Why does this bother Giberson so much? Certainly his faith can hold up to a little criticism. The religious have been mocking atheists for millennia. Apparently they are not allowed to fight back and just keep their mouths shut. Thank goodness for free speech and tenure! Otherwise, I'm sure Giberson and his like would have had Myers silenced long ago.