Letters to the Editor
inkredulous
Published Letters: 66 Editor's Choice: 6
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The Bush administration's ties to Blackwater
[Read the article: The Bush administration's ties to Blackwater]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Despite the the "born again" mindset that has engulfed America, at least incest of the political kind seems to be perfectly acceptable, in fact blessed in many quarters. Blackwater's intimacy with the Bush Admin is just one more example of bad government and maybe complacancy of the electorate. What is sad is that the current investigation of Blackwater will most likely go nowhere since the Congress and Senate seem to be more concerned about re-election that in providing good government.
What is the cause of this indifference to good government I wonder? Why are the people in the US and other western countries so ready to accept the move to a totalitarian form government? It seems that despite calls for less government the public are involving officialdom in their affairs more and more. Could it be that they are more concerned with "me me me" rather than "us, us us"? Could it be that the people of the US have bought into the mountain of verbiage that the Admin and the media have spewed about the dangers of terrorism? Terrorism is undoubtedly of concern but is the threat as real as portrayed? Is every tube of toothpaste a threat?
It is to be hoped that people will come to their senses and move away from political correctness, selfishness and pseudo Christian purity and move toward caring for the nation as a whole. I don't live in America but what happens in America eventually affects me.
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Prius vs Edge
[Read the article: The Prius vs. the Edge]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I just bought an Edge after owning a ford van. It is not a cross between an SUV and a van. It is more a scaled down SUV. I shopped for over a month and in terms of bang for the buck it was better than any of the Japanese or Korean competitors.
Besides having all the goodies like heated seats it is relatively zippy. Personally I don't give a rat's ass about being green. As far as I'm concerned until we get a handle on population all the "lets conserve" verbiage is just so much noise.
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American flag pins are for idiots
[Read the article: American flag pins are for idiots]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Bill Maher has got it right. To judge a candidate by the "patriotic jewelery he/she wears is just plain silly. The real patriots are the young men and women who despite their possible misgivings suit up and go to serve their country in whatever sewer their government send them to. Wearing a flag pin or standing up with arm across chest to sing the national anthem a la Jerry Springer.
The obsession of the media with mindless trivia is incomprehensible. The lapel pin and now yesterday's river of verbal diarrhea over Anna Nichole Smith and her drug habits is incredible. Considering all the real issues such as Jena, Darfur, relations with Russia, dangerous food and Chinese imports one has to question whether or not the US is really up for democracy even in its current warped form. Maybe the Republicans have it correct, a benevolent dictatorial president is best!
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How Hillary could tank
[Read the article: How Hillary could tank]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]"How Hillary could tank" reads more like Mr. Shapiro's hopes and dreams, a very short laundry list of possibilities out of a universe of potential problems. Why these 10 any more than "the sky may fall" or "GWB may grow a brain" and make the Republicans the most popular party ever? Then there could be the rapture and the 144,000 or whatever taken up to be with all the Islamic martyrs who have proceeded them to paradise by blowing themselves up.
Undoubtedly there will be more "reasons".
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Ellen, the dog bullies and me
[Read the article: Ellen, the dog bullies and me]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Nice work. You have identified what a lot dog rescue/shelter workers are, half-baked zealots who lose sight of what they are supposed to be doing. I have always thought that animal rescue groups or shelters main aim is to provide the best situation for the maximum number of animals; not to place specific animals at the expense of all others. Some of these people seem to lose sight of the fact that all animals (and people) die. It is not a question of if, only when. Unfortunately they let emotion overcome common sense. Choosing to look after the placement of a half dozen lively pups rather than one old diabetic dog is difficult. It requires putting gut feelings aside and being practical. Unfortunately the kind of people that are drawn to rescue groups seem to be the kind that carry enough emotional armor to be able to do what is a very thankless job.
I wish you luck in any future dealing you may have with animal shelter/rescue types.
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We're Prejudiced
[Read the article: We're prejudiced, now what?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Interesting essay.It affirms to some degree something I have always suspected. In the real world I wonder though if prejudice is enforced by actions and by culture? That being said the author is absolutely correct that prejudice while being politically incorrect should be acknowledge but not practiced.
I live in a country which preached cultural diversity rather than cultural integration. My observations suggest that all tha cultural diversity has achieved is sustaining of country-of-origin prejudices and dogma. We have reached the point where housing developers are advertising culturally unique sub-divisions to pander to those of particular religions. Ghettos are not new but only recently have they been used as a marketing tool.
There are no words sufficiently pejorative to describe the likes of Bill O'Reilly or the verbiage that FOX pretends is fair and balanced news and thoughtful insight. On the other hand perhaps such drivel is a fair price to pay for the first amendment?