Letters to the Editor
maureenodonnell
Published Letters: 889 Editor's Choice: 5
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To Anonymous re "father and absentee father"
[Read the article: More about race and the Democrats]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Dear Mr. or Ms. Anonymous, we don't get Fox News over here, for which we are truly grateful, and Bill O'Reilly is just a name to us. However, you would be surprised at how clued in we are to what's happening around the world. The power of reading is mighty. Strange though it might seem to you, I've never looked at an Oprah show either, although I think it can be seen on some cable networks. I can manage quite well without cheesy shows like that, although I like Trinny and Susannah (both English) talking about fashion, as life needs those frothier moments. As you are an American and we know how Americans like to boss others around, I am answering your question on Fox News and Bill O'Reilly because I dare not refuse you. Btw I've read "The American Century" by Harold Evans (published by Knopf). It's a fascinating book but is time-consuming as there are about 700 pages. I've also read a book quite a long time ago which was about American arrogance, incompetence and corruption in South-East Asia in the post-WW2 period and, before you get angry with me again, I must add that it was written by William J. Lederer and Eugene Burdick, both Americans. What I know about Barack Obama is what I've read - and I don't bother with trashy papers. I find your reference to a "father and absentee father" confusing. I suppose you mean his father and step-father, Mr. Soetero, an Indonesian gentleman who, from what I've read, was a Muslim and Barack Obama lived with him for several Years. I've seen Barack Obama's African grandmother on CNN but I've never seen any pictures of his other grandmother who, I believe, is still living in Hawaii, where he was born. Maybe you have? As for Muslim apostacy, I really don't know but I suppose all those details about each candidate will eventually come out in the wash. There is a big, wide world out there and I don't know whether you have any idea of the turmoil caused by a Danish cartoonist in 2005 when he drew a picture that was offensive to Muslims. Threats, marches and so on in Copenhagen and elsewhere. Muslims take their religion very seriously.
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Anonymous, thanks for your calm and courteous reply
[Read the article: More about race and the Democrats]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Maybe it's just the way I am but I read biographies, never autobiographies. This has nothing to do with your Senator Obama but if I had to write my autobiography I'd depict myself in the very best light, ignoring all my flaws. Even if I attempted to be absolutely truthful, I could not. The simple reason is that to ensure survival everyone, male and female, will protect his or her sense of self. We expect people to understand and empathise with us and are upset when they see us as not nearly as wonderful as we might imagine ourselves to be. "To see ourselves as others see us" is impossible and that's why I distrust autobiographies. It's now l0:35 in the evening over here so I'm logging off. I hope you all make wise decisions based on your future (and that of the free world) and try to heal the wounds of the past. I am an Irishwoman and the whole island was once under the British Crown. There was bitterness and bloodshed. The vast majority of people here want to get on with their lives although there are still some fanatics mouthing off. Modern technology can be used for good or evil but, on balance, I think it's great. Here am I thousands of miles away from you across the ocean and I'm able to have an argument with you in what I hope is a civil manner.
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To Ben Sen
[Read the article: More about race and the Democrats]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Thanks. I logged off but had a final look at the sitr before "hitting the hay". It's 35 minutes past midnight now, my husband is in bed and I must be crazy. However, your post intrigued me. I tried to read the "Confessions of St. Augustine" when I was a teenager but all I can remember was that his father took him to a brothel so that he might learn about his sexuality. Growing up in a country whichwas once quite isolated and where a Jansenistic type of religion was rammed down our throats, I always wanted to read "unsuitable" books. I'm not sure whether Mary McCarthy's "The Group" could be regarded as semi-autobiographical. I've also read "The Year of Magical Thinking" as well as the English playwright Alan Bennett's "Untold Tales" which is very, very funny but also deep. Come to think of it, that is autobiography. I made my point badly. I hope that I'm more lucid when I explain that I have little faith in the honesty of politicians in Europe, America or elsewhere, for reasons which I don't want to go into at this time of night/morning. Without wishing to disparage Barack Obama, I would see his autobiography as a form of political self-promotion and that doesn't interest me. A life longer lived than his might merit an autobiography. That's just my opinion. Oh, I read the actor David Niven's "The Moon's a Balloon"!. Ben Sen, you've caught me on the hop and I was quite sure I was being truthful. The saying "Engage brain before opening mouth" (or posting on Internet) applies to me after your mild rebuke. Good night now, although if I'd gone to Los Gatos once upon a time I might still be in the sunlight in a different time zone. I could then argue to my heart's content about everything under the sun. Opionated? I suppose I am.