Letters to the Editor
Andrew
Published Letters: 107 Editor's Choice: 46
-
"The best marketing machine wins, not the best plan."
[Read the article: Costa Rica votes "yes" for free trade]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]There is a larger issue about voting than simply talking about referendums as Adam Ricketson does above. It is fairly well known (although I am too lazy to look up the statistic) that candidates with the most money have a strong advantage in an election.
It has always made me uneasy to think this, but voters are often irrational and do not always vote in their own best interest. If we cannot trust voters to vote on referendums, can we even trust them to vote for regular elections?
I consider myself fairly well informed, but I admit that I am often swayed by superficial details (eg, name recognition) when voting.
-
Higher metabolism = needs more food
[Read the article: Behold the genetically engineered mighty mouse!]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]My guess is that because these mice have a higher metabolism, they will require that much more food to stay alive. Therefore, in situations with abundant food, super-mice are more competitive. But, in situations where food is scarce, I would bet that normal mice would out-perform the super-mice.
-
Great car, but too expensive
[Read the article: The Smart car is coming]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I like the Smart car a lot. I see them all the time in the streets of Vancouver. Lots of advantages to them, except for the price. A new Smart car north of the border will run you about $18000CAD (as I remember in 2006).
Sorry, but no. I can get a new Honda Civic or Toyota Yaris that gets better mileage and is cheaper. And, I can have back seats. 40MPG is not that great gas mileage.
The only reason I can see getting one of these is for the fact that you can ark perpendicular to the curb.
-
Ironic!
[Read the article: Is the hijab oppressive? ]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]A "shades of gray kind of girl" wearing black and white. Was Tracy's choice of clothing accidentally or intentionally ironic?
btw- point well made.
-
Libertarian vs. Authoritarian, not Right vs Left
[Read the article: "We're all fascists now"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]This guy is so obviously talking about a very specific kind of "right" and "left", but I am not even sure that he knows it.
What Jonah says may make some semblance of sense if he admits that he is talking about "Libertarianism", not the "right". In some way, the opposite of Libertarianism is authoritarianism. If you accept that this is what he is talking about, and not "right" and "left" in the contemporary American political usage of the terms, then maybe his work makes sense. Otherwise, his work is complete hogwash.
I agree, though, that Alex gave an excellent interview.
-
Welcome aboard
[Read the article: Ask Pablo]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Welcome Pablo. Looking forward to reading more columns from you.
-
What do the carts give you that farmers don't?
[Read the article: Brave new grocery shopping]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Perhaps the cart might offer some advice on what to do with the turnips?
Couldn't you ask the farmer this? I'd bet that some farmers could even tell you what their carbon footprint is. They could also tell you the wage of the migrant workers they hire (if any).
These glittery new shopping carts seem to want to bring back a personalized touch to the shopping experience, but if that's what you are after, then shouldn't you be going to farmer's markets?
-
No one else is talking about climate
[Read the article: Obama and Clinton plan to cool it]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Hmmm...we need an inspirer and a fighter? Wouldn't a Clinton-Obama ticket be exactly the right answer? That would allow Obama to run for president again in 8 years when no one would question his experience.
Seriously, though...I agree that if we had the proper leadership, we could kick this climate thing. Both Democratic candidates have laid out good plans.
The problem is that no one in the media are talking about it. The candidates themselves are barely talking about it. Why should we think that it will be on the top of their agenda unless we do something about it? Will the environment ever beat out health care, the economy, or the war in Iraq in the public's eye?