Letters to the Editor
jebldmm
Published Letters: 933 Editor's Choice: 164
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Francis
[Read the article: Ask the pilot]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]"This statement in your comment after apparently reading 50-100 comments here makes me sad, because defending your extremely poor analogy means you clearly don't get it." (in response to Patrick Smith's comment).
I think you may have hit on something here. Mr. Smith is normally, imo, a very sensible man. He also seems to understand human nature quite well. But on this issue, he simply doesn't "get it". I wonder if that's because he is a pilot. He is comfortable in a plane. He see's and understands what is going on when he is grounded or flying in turbulent weather or flying in other countries. Being in a plane, waiting, for hours on end, is normal to him. It's his job. I don't know if he can understand how frightening it is to be trapped in a very foreign, restrictive environment, with no knowledge of when you will be freed and no freedom to leave.
I can't think of another parallel for most people, short of police confinement. When I'm on a plane, and moving, I can think about my destination and check my watch to determine how far it is. On some planes, you can even track progress on little tv's. Sitting on the plane, not moving, I don't know if I'm going somewhere, or if I'm going to have to try to find a hotel in a strange city, or maybe stay on the plane for many more hours. Will I make my connection? When will I get home? When can I relax? When will the children behind me get food? I'm also a large woman, with broad shoulders. When I'm sitting in a plane seat, I have to kind of hunch my shoulders to not bump into the person next to me or the flight attendant. I try to sit at the window, because then I can lean against the wall. My legs are long, and don't easily stretch under the seat in front of my. Airline seats aren't designed for people with bad backs. The last time I flew, my back hurt so badly by the middle of the flight, I was in agony. My legs hurt, my back was spasming, and my shoulders were cramped. And the worst part was knowing that I wasn't moving toward my destination. I was just sitting, in a tin can that had a mechanical problem, hoping to get clearance to take off for a city that was expecting a blizzard in a few hours. I had no control. I couldn't even make a phone call to try to fine a new flight home. And we were right at the gate, with food and real restrooms, and help on the other side of the plane door. Of course, nobody made a fuss. We are trained to act like grownups in situations like this. But I felt like a child who had no control over her life. And I hurt. And I was tired and hungry and thirsty. Modern people aren't used to not being in control.
You might feel in control whenever you are on a plane, because you are such an experienced pilot and traveller. We don't.
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She never was funny
[Read the article: Enough Britney bashing already]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]She's always been sad. Beautiful, thin, blond... and totally one-dimensional. She defines "poor white trash" in a way that few wealthy stars can accomplish. If I were her mother, I'd tell her to cut her hair short and get a life (oops - too late on the hair!). Do something charitable, not for publicity, but to develop some character. And stop hanging around Hilton, a poor role model.
She's a mother now, with enough money and star appeal to really make something of her life. Will she be a "Where is she now?" in 20 years, or will she reinvent herself as something other than a trashy, semi-talented pop star. Michael Jackson or Madonna... you choose, Britney.
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Validating the enemies strategy?
[Read the article: Cheney: Democrats are seizing the "fun part" of withdrawal]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Isn't that what the Republicans did when they turned a terrorist attack into a war on the middle east? Why, exactly, does Cheney think that al-quaeda flew those planes into the twin towers? Bad navigation? It was to provoke American into starting a war. That is why terrorists strike civilians - to provoke an over-the-top response. A few years ago, there were some home grown terroists who planned on blowing up a propane storage facility and wiping out a suburban neighborhood here in Sacramento. Why? They believed that the police crackdown in response to their terrible act would be so severe that the local citizens would rebel against it and overthrow the government. It sounds crazy, but people with no power often resort to crazy longshot tactics to try to achieve their goals. Al-quaeda's attack has worked beyond their wildest hopes - because Bush/Cheney played into their hands so beautifully.
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This is not quite true
[Read the article: The "antiwar left" takes over America]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]"Virtually no bloggers call for journalists to advance partisan storylines or advocate partisan views. Rather, they want them to report on matters with factual accuracy"
Conservative bloggers do not want journalists to report facts accurately. They want the media to be a partisan advocate for the administration. In the minds of the right, this is the only way to be a True American and support the "War On Terror". The truth is dangerous and might lead to people not Supporting Our Troops. For example, in their minds it is irresponsible to report on torture, even if the facts are true. It is irresponsible to report true facts about atrocities in Iraq because it makes soldiers look bad and endangers them by angering the enemy.
Liberal bloggers want the truth, Republican bloggers want those portions of the truth that make the government look bad to be suppressed - for the good of the people.