Letters to the Editor

Letters posted here are associated with the following Salon Premium Member:

Theodore Rigley

Published Letters: 8

  • They can't help it

    [Read the article: One of Instapundit's favorite blogs speaks on race]
    [Read more letters about this article: Here]

    The "tribalistic" stance of vengeful fear under consideration here is genetically determined; those who display the standard conservative, right-wing characteristics of mind appear to have reduced discretionary control over their attitudes and moods. Maybe my own liberal tolerance and confidence in the humanity of others is also genetically determined, but I like to imagine that I'm able to weigh the evidence and use it to guide the development of my attitudes and conclusions.

    I can't see begrudging this old black preacher his anger; I can't begrudge the outrage and resentment among any who've endured such systematic oppression as the centuries of enslavement and rape of the American black people. I'm amazed they are as nice as they are, in spite of their grievous past.

    Perhaps the world is becoming too crowded to tolerate free speech from any who can't modulate their mental states on the basis of evidence and reason.

  • Tough to get from Olympia to Seattle in 48 minutes

    [Read the article: Is Briana Waters a terrorist?]
    [Read more letters about this article: Here]

    I know, I've made that 60 mile trip a lot, and you'd generally have to drive like a maniac. But like Amerigo says, maybe she bought gas on the road out of town, and got to this meeting just a little late. It seems these facts should be known and must have been communicated to the jury; were they?

  • Williedigital argues in his letter that close is good enough, but...

    [Read the article: Poor America]
    [Read more letters about this article: Here]

    ...it isn't good enough for me, because I'm one of those natural pain-in-the-asses for whom an incorrectly spelled word is like a musician hitting a very wrong note, and a letter to the editor full of such wrong notes unfailingly leads me to believe the writer must be a poor thinker. Told you, pain in the ass.

  • The true motivation behind Joan Walsh's editorial stance

    [Read the article: Obama and the white working class]
    [Read more letters about this article: Here]

    Perhaps the imperative of succeeding financially is now the major factor in these screeds of Joan's. The more irksome they are, the more responses they incite, the more advertising views are recorded. If I were in her position, I no doubt would also become cynically manipulative of my readership's sensibilities, and learn to exploit them just as she has here, and in many other instances. It may be that, although sincere exchanges transpire here between readers, there really isn't a sincere exchange between the readers and the editor.

  • Oh my God, 44 pages of letters and still going --

    [Read the article: Hey, Obama boys: Back off already!]
    [Read more letters about this article: Here]

    I swear, the guy who suggested that this article was written just to get the Salon readership "riled up" (somewhere back about page 15, and now mdlewis points out the same thing just a few letters ago) has to be right. The benefit to the Salon finances must be substantial, all these advertising views.

    This impassioned silliness by Traister can't be sincere.

  • The time of the Great Dying is approaching

    [Read the article: Turn down that thermostat, permanently]
    [Read more letters about this article: Here]

    The author of this piece is correct, these are the realities we face. There will be a reversion to a 3rd world standard of living in the USA. There will be a greater segregation of rich and poor. The middle class will disappear almost completely, soon to consist again, as it did in previous times, of those few artisans, merchants, overseers, favored servants or entertainers, who perform useful services for the wealthy few. Any less than primitive technology will be priced beyond the reach of the common man (and woman!), and much of it will disappear altogether. Forget about new drugs for cancer and treating infection. Think of living more or less like the people of Dicken's time.

    An ignorant, coarse rabble will relearn the jobs of serfs of feudal ages past, with again 85% of the workforce laboring in low-energy agriculture. The mountain bike has a great future,but this vast network of pavement will decay into unusability, as the cost of its upkeep, and its ability to justify itself economically, will spell its doom. No doubt the crystal radio receiver will return in a big way.

    But on the bright side, obesity will diminish, and the general health will improve, as the surplus wealth to maintain those requiring sophisticated (and expensive) medical care will not survive. The herd is ripe for a culling. We may see a return to the time when an open fracture was best treated with prompt amputation. Remember to first hold your saw in the fire until it starts to glow!

    So dust off your Foxfire books, dig out your back issues of the Mother Earth News. Rabbits and chickens will be a part of our collective future. Root cellars, wood stoves, weekly bathing, a new pair of shoes once a year. Start downsizing now, beginning with your expectations. But at least there won't be any shortage of entertainment.

  • Personally, I believe alae culture is the rational answer

    [Read the article: Turn down that thermostat, permanently]
    [Read more letters about this article: Here]

    No kidding, algae. Lots of it. In shallow tanks, under the desert sun. Makes incredible amounts of vegetable oil. Out of air, sunlight, water, and cheap minerals. Easily stored vegetable oil. Burn it in turbines, make electricity. Burn it in diesel engines, drive your truck. Hell, burn it in your jet engine. Richard Branson did. Works grreat! Not a scam, oh no, this isn't like the corn-into-ethanol boondoogle. Not conducive to maintaining a "scarcity market". But wow, that algae sure makes lots of oil. Endless supply, for probably $3.00/gallon. Big drawbacks: lots of jobs, no pollution. Oh, and not much in it for Enron while the fossil fuels last. Just Google the phrase "algae oil" and see what I mean.

  • Sorry about misspelling "algae"....

    [Read the article: Turn down that thermostat, permanently]
    [Read more letters about this article: Here]

    ...I'm trying to type this on a fuzzy old monitor without my glasses. It doesn't help that I'm fuzzy and old too.