To the editors,

When will you guys learn to fight? Unlike the republicans you constantly reiterate your oponents' arguments, providing them with an echo chamber. Does Fox or any other Republican-oriented news source or commentator do this? The answer is a resounding no. This country is at war within itself. The war is fought on the one side by those who will do anything for power and on the other by those who believe in a different vision, a brighter vision for America. To the extent that the media is involved it is the responsibility of those who have decided that there is a side worth figthing for to use the best possible tactics with which to conduct the battles they fight. Yet you constantly aid your opponent by falling victim to their ruse by replying to any ridiculous statements they make. Use the power of repetition. Identify the weakness and exploit it by constant reference to it. Do not allow you opponent to frame the debate then simply respond to their responses; you lose the strategic advantage then you both echo their arguments and implicitly allow them to fram the debate. Please learn how to fight! It is extremely important to your readers, this country and to the success of your publication that you begin to think about winning, not simply relaying the back and forth of the debate. No one in the other camp is reciting the arguments on your side! It is important to have heart, but more important to win when what is on the line is as important as the direction of our country.

Fight fire with fire.

The real question that the editors of Salon need to ask is "how many more gay Republican Senators and representatives are there?" I support gay rights, but since Republicans are publicly hostile to gays it is relevant to the public discourse to show the hypocrisy of the party! Are the same people that are proposing bans on gay marriage in fact gay themselves? How has Foley voted on gay issues? Why doesn't Salon ask theses questions? The Republicans wish to change the focus of the debate. Shouldn't progressives focus on these extremely important issues?

Heather,

Though I personaly found Cliff to be quite likable, your comments about him getting kicked off top chef are extremely off base. Cliff's conduct was way out of line. He woke a man from his sleep and battered him by placing his hands upon him in an unwelcome fashion. This is not a race issue! Imagine if you were in Marcel's shoes.

Cliff's actions amount to an unacceptable breach of the rules of the show, and criminal and civil law. The consequences could have been much more severe and probably should have been.

Cliff's remorseful tone was indicative of the fact that he knew he had done wrong. Your apologist comments respecting his actions do no one any favors - black, white, etc.

Accountability is a key ingredient to responsibility. You'd do well to learn that.