Letters to the Editor
Valkyrie607
Published Letters: 88 Editor's Choice: 3
-
The limitations imposed by evolution
[Read the article: We are meant to be here]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I liked that he brought this up, the limitations necessarily imposed on us humans, a result of the strategies that got us from clever monkeys to clever talking monkeys with computers and telescopes. The ability to discern cause and effect is certainly useful for surviving here on earth, but in a universe where time is symmetrical and there is no law of physics that differentiates between past and present, it may be a hindrance--and there's not much we can do about that just now.
We're talking monkeys. We have the capacity to self-reflect and ask whether there's meaning to life. We have the capacity to invent meaning and purpose and assign them to our lives, and then to the universe. Hey, why not? Just cause humans, those miraculous talking monkeys, made it all up, doesn't make it any less meaningful.
-
An atheist in heaven
[Read the article: Opus]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Speaking as an atheist, I wouldn't feel annoyed. Surprised, yes, but not annoyed.
-
Where's Scott Ritter?
[Read the article: Fred Hiatt, Michael Ledeen and the "bomb Iran crazies"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Why, he's "calling out Idiot America."
The task of holding Congress to account is a daunting one, and can be accomplished only if the citizenry that forms the respective constituencies of our ignorant congressional representatives are themselves able to operate at an intellectual capacity above that of those they are holding to account. So rather than issue “pop quizzes” to our elected representatives, I’ve designed one for us, the people. If the reader can fully answer the question raised, then he or she qualifies as one capable of pointing an accusatory finger at Congress as its members dither over what to do in Iraq. If the reader fails the quiz, then there should be an honest appraisal of the reality that we are in way over our heads regarding this war, and that it is irresponsible for anyone to make sweeping judgments about the ramifications of policy courses of action yet to be agreed upon. Claiming to be able to divine a solution to a problem improperly defined is not only ignorant but dangerously delusional.
Ritter's article on truthdig: http://www.truthdig.com/dig/item/20070323_calling_out_idiot_america/
-
Speaking of NPR
[Read the article: The D.C. establishment versus American public opinion]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Glenn,
I noticed the couple of posts about NPR having Michael O'Hanlon on and portraying him as a "skeptic." I have also noticed NPR's overly credulous reporting, mostly because, not owning a TV and not willing to fork over big bucks for newspapers, NPR is one of my biggest sources of news. Heck, I grew up listening to "Morning Edition" as I ate my eggs before school. So it is with heavy heart that I say, how about an examination of the supposedly "liberal" news that is produced by our publicly funded, listener-supported radio stations? Specifically, Mike Green's reporting has been fairly egregious of late.
Thanks,
Val
-
Check this out...
[Read the article: The real lessons of 9/11]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Here's a response to Kamila's article that deserves to be flooded with responses.
http://www.floppingaces.net/2007/09/11/the-left-sounding-the-defeatis/
Yet another "opposing the war is defeatist" squawk.
-
YES!...
[Read the article: The K Chronicles]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]...Singing carp!!
-
Thank the Heavens!
[Read the article: Rejoice! Every "Daily Show" ever is now online]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I, too, chafed and cursed when Viacom forced Youtube to remove its Daily Show videos. All well and good, I said, if only the Comedy Central website didn't totally suck ass. They should have had this thing up and running BEFORE they sued Youtube. I don't own a TV, but I love the Daily Show--Viacom was essentially giving me the bird by suing Youtube. I'm not won over yet, but this is a good step.
-
Smart Farming...
[Read the article: Earth to PETA]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]...not widespread veganism or vegetarianism, seems to be the real point here.
a.) People can certainly eat less meat, and should be encouraged to do so. But they're not going to give it up altogether. Hell, beef is tasty! Plus, we are omnivorous apes--our bodies require some animal protein to maintain optimal health.
b.) Most of the problems described in the article are effects of large-scale industrial farming, and could be mitigated by the widespread adoption of organic, sustainable techniques--which are not, as the fear-mongers say, inadequate to the task of feeding the world. Indeed, organic farming, whose foundational principle is that the soil must be rebuilt and replenished as it's farmed--is the only long-term solution to our agriculture and climate woes. Those "waste lagoons?" A waste of valuable fertilizer. Composting would take care of those emissions. The grain vs. grass controversy? Not much of a question when you consider the pounds of fossil fuels going into the grains the cows eat.
-
Unsurprising, perhaps...
[Read the article: We're prejudiced, now what?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]But not worthy of the dismissive snorting that characterizes the first page of comments. "Hell, anybody with a barnyard fulla chickens coulda told you that! Don't need no fancy-pants scientist to tell me that!" Maybe you didn't, but now you have evidence to back up your position. It's fun, I reccomend it--the whole evidence thing.
Anyway, anti-racist activists have been working from this assumption for years now. Trying to act like prejudice does not exist (not in MY brain!) is not only taxing on the brain, as the article points out, but it's also a powerful way to protect that prejudice. Hey, come to think of it, that explains a lot... hey, buddy, are you sure you're not racist? Maybe your brain's too taxed. Cognitive dissonance is exhausting.
It does raise the question, too--what now? I agree that it's time to stop reacting puritanically towards our own biology, and just dealing with us as we are. That's a good reccomendation all around. Maybe we could incorporate that idea into our education systems.
That would mean radical reform at the state and federal levels...
Hold on, gotta start a revolution.
Be right back.
--val