Letters to the Editor
melthough
Published Letters: 1336 Editor's Choice: 103
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"but also"...
[Read the article: McCain speaks on New York Times story]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]There is a string of "but also"s missing from Cindy McCain's statement. I realize she was probably nervous, but is her complete inability to form a sentence in front of the camera usual for her? If not, what is she afraid she is going to say if she finishes her sentence?
Also, I don't like that idea that one mistaken memory is a huge deal, but in this case, you'd think he would have gone through events in his mind pretty thoroughly before talking to reporters, so the initial claim that he never spoke to the NYT is more suspect than it would normally be.
The thing that stands out most is the contrast between this denial and the easy apologies that have come from Obama. Why doesn't he just cop to whatever things he DID do and be done with it? A cover-up always makes it seem worse than it is. But maybe it really IS worse than it is....
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@Juliebird
[Read the article: McCain speaks on New York Times story]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I read all four convoluted pages of the NYT article last night, and the sex part is actual very little of the scandal. Of course, the sex adds intrigue and extra spice for the starving pirhana. But the real story is McCain being metaphorically "in bed" with her, not literally. I agree, though, that if not for the sex, no one would be paying much attention to it. Sigh. I have always respected Larry Craig for not resigning because of a sex issue, despite the utter hypocrisy of taking that stand. No one should resign, or be entrapped or fired or impeached, over consensual adult sex, so part of me is glad he didn't bow out as he said he would. Here there is another issue, though - whether he tried to give her company political favors because of his relationship with her. So the nature of their relationship is actually secondary. I know, I know. Tell it to the National Enquirer.
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I really don't care who McCain has sex with,
[Read the article: McCain: Reformer or phony?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]and it bothers me that this story only has 'legs' because it involves a sex scandal. Thank you, Joe Conason, for clarifying so much better than the weirdly convoluted Times piece did that this is about money and political favors - not sex.
That said, I am guessing that right-leaning Christian voters will be disappointed, and many would rather stay home on election night than vote for an unapologetic adulterer. I am also guessing that centrist cross-over voters will prefer the relatively clean (as far as we know) Obama to a lobbyist-cozy hypocrite. I don't think McCain had much chance with either constituency to begin with, but this scandal, if it actually turns into more, could exaggerate the effects.
And I think the media should be digging into each candidate's history in the same way. That is (supposed to be) its job.
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@manniwood
[Read the article: Extreme acts of animal cruelty]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]You wrote: " I know I'm supposed to want to become a vegetarian after seeing this, but I don't."
Don't be so defensive! I'm a vegetarian, and I am not in charge of your reaction or your diet. But I would suggest that you stop "wishing" and figure out what you will be *doing*. Perhaps reduce your consumption so you can afford local grass-fed meat. Perhaps ask pointed questions of your butcher, even if it makes you uncomfortable, and demand alternatives if you don't like the answers you get. Learn to hunt. Eat fish. There are probably options that seem inconvenient now but you will be glad you looked into.
Not so for kids eating school lunches. We are lucky to have the time and money and energy to pack a nutritious vegetarian lunch every day, but many families do not. My son went to public school last year, where 60% of the students were eligible for free lunch, and the entree was meat EVERY SINGLE DAY, except that once a month, there was cheese pizza on Fridays. That is egregious, no matter where the meat comes from. But the fact that the meat comes from horribly sick animals makes it a moral and public health travesty. I could not bring myself to watch the video, but I am sick anyway.
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What did the alleged e-mail allegedly say?
[Read the article: The Obama photo flap]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Frankly, I thought the point was to show him looking girly, rather than Muslim. I think he looks fab in a dress.
So. Did the campaign circulate it or not? Saying "Republicans do this sort of thing, so obviously we didn't do this thing" doesn't cut it. Either you did it or you didn't.
As has happened several times with negative feints at Obama, it is making Clinton look worse than it makes him look. And the "why are you so upset?" thing is so ridiculously passive-aggressive: try to embarrass someone and then blink your doe-eyes and ask them why they're blushing so much since the thing you said was really no big deal, right? I respect Clinton and am happy to support her if she gets the nomination, but PLEASE don't run your campaign with stereotypical mean-girl fighting tactics. Ick.