Letters to the Editor
kenkapkk
Published Letters: 131 Editor's Choice: 13
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A vital point missed
[Read the article: Sarah Palin is ruining my life]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]In the same vein as Chopra, I think Cary missed an important opoportunity here to address the roots of any obsession. Although objectively I agree with much that is said about Palin, I would like to make two points.
1) Whatever our response to an external event, the intensity of the reaction has a great deal to do with unresolved issues within us. Therefore Palin is a trigger for this person. We all have these trigger points. For progressives, Rush Limbaugh may be a focal point for one person, Cheney for another, etc. The 9/11 conspiracy issue is a good example of a focal point for many people. Conservatives have their own inappropriate resonses to triggers. BIll Clinton serverd as that for many. So the question to ask, aside from the "real" political gamesmanship, is what is unresolved in me that allows my over reaction and vindicates my sense of powerlessnes? What is Palin doing as a mirror that feeds anxieties that may be out of proportion to the person or event?
2)I think part of the reason for this reaction by LW , and many, including myself at times, is that the way Palin was sprung on the electorate in such a surprising, cynical, and initially successful manner felt like a huge violation. As if something valuable had maliciously taken away. So many of us had similar felings, although perhaps not at the level of this correspondant.
And I think the "Trojan Horse" analogy, the vessel of authority and abuse carried in what we associate with what should be the nurturing, caring archetype of the feminine has a resonant power that is very deep. Betrayal is definitely on the table from a number of layers.
Its becoming clear that the truth of Palin is hurting the ticket and the feelings of domination associated with the Bush-Cheney-Rove team that have been stimulated by her and mcCain are subsiding.
My advice to LW is there is an opportunity to look within as to what unfinished business YOU have around these issues that is sparking such a strong reaction that obviously is interfering with your life. In this respect, bizarrely, from a certain perspective, Palin is offering you a gift for growth.
Authentic concern is one thing. Out of control hysteria is another. Check in with where you feel powerless and how you can strengthen that aspect of self. My suspicion is it shows up in other arenas as well, but perhaps not as strongly due to the deep visceral buttons that have been pushed here.
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Matt B
[Read the article: The punditocracy's Seven Biggest Blunders of the 2008 election]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Your instincts are wrong. Its not narrowing, its widening. The only issue is margin of victory. Look to 330-360 EV's. I said all summer what Pilgrim adroitly pointed out. This election was like 1980. Once Obama passed the "comfort" threshold, it would be a done deal. The debates, plus McCain's stupidity in the face of a crisis, plus the Palin pick sealed the deal. Its over. O-V-E-R, and NOT for McCain.
Quit being such a wuss.
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To populist in Alaska
[Read the article: Latest polls point to Obama landslide]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Supposedly Karl Rove had it rigged in 2006. How'd that go for him? Eh? Look, these paranoid projections are way off. The Repugs can monkey a bit but this is so far beyond them. There is no "Plan" that will "work". By Nov 4 30% of many states will have voted.
Relax. They are going to be buried. And they know it. You can't control history, as Gary Kamiya presciently pointed out in his seminal essay, "Sleepwalking Toward Baghdad".
(look it up in the archves here)
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Hypocritical S**t
[Read the article: Alan Greenspan blames Wall Street]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Krugman was on Terry Gross and said Greenspan was the number one figure in the list of problems that created this mess. He fought regulation tooth and nail. He's a hypocritical shit. Who gives a damn what he thinks?
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AhliBobwa-Dvorkin
[Read the article: How John McCain ran against himself]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I agree with Mr. Dvorkin. If pigs had wings they could fly. This is nice speculation for the man who wasn't there, which does cast more suspicion on the 2000 McCain. "When you ain't got nothin' you got nothin' to lose." When it all got on the line, this is the McCain who showed up.
Mr. AhliBobwa, I think you are too paranoid. Yes we have outrage and anger at the sleazy voter supression tactics of the Republicans, but its not going to carry them this year. Crist of Florida just extended early voter hours there which led to great consternation among the Repubs. I think you way over estimate Bush at this point. They are going down hard and the signs are all around as they turn on one another.
Its Obama by 330 or more. Only a terrorist attack could help and it might hurt as well. And Al Quaeda doesn't work that way, spur of the moment. Get some good sleep.
Be concerned about how the Dems will govern if you want to worry.