Letters to the Editor
Ruby
Published Letters: 6
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Fox News vs. Arcata's City Council
[Read the article: "As far left as it gets..."]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Fox News's account of Arcata, California's city government is a nearly perfect example of how conservatives pass along to each other, without ever actually citing any evidence, their fear and suspicion of all things liberal.
The two-minute segment *implies* that life in Arcata is somehow worse than in other towns because three of Arcata's City Council members are from the far left. And what, exactly are these ultra-liberal council members up to? Why, they're openly disapproving of the Bush administration! I'm shocked - shocked to discover that there's dissent going on in this establishment!
Reporter Claudia Cowon seems to be *implying* that the "growing list" of "radical publicity stunts" by the three leftist mavericks on the Council constitute some sort of emergency, although no emergency is actually cited. She then mentions the "repeated vandalism" of a statue of William McKinley in the town, *implying* that these same City Council mavericks are the perpetrators. Clearly, no investigative reporting has occurred, since it would doubtless yield the much more obvious and pedestrian explanation that the vandalism is almost certainly the handiwork of frat boys at Humboldt State University, which is located in Arcata.
Surely, if they really, really tried, Fox News could think of something more interesting, more relevant, and oh by the way, more factual to report?
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It's just a nit, but
[Read the article: But what if pride goeth before a fall?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]If you will check Proverbs 16:18, you will see that the verse actually says "Pride goeth before DESTRUCTION and a haughty spirit before a FALL." Senator Inhofe appears to quality on both counts.
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Lost in Admiration for Plame and Wilsom
[Read the article: Plame, Wilson file suit against Rove, Libby and Cheney]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]In these two and a handful of other courageous Americans rest no less than the future of the Republic. This is a time when the fundamental freedoms granted in the Constitution are daily being chipped away by the very people who are mandated to protect them.
That Plame and Wilsom have the clarity of vision to publicly resist intimidation by the president and his minions is inspiring. For the sake of their collective peace of mind, I pray that the Wilsons will be successful in calling the White House to account. Even if they are not, the Wilsons have brought the country a step back from the abyss. Whether he likes to admit it or not, president Bush will think twice before taking on another person of honor and integrity like Joe Wilson.
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Looking to the media to find out who you're supposed to be
[Read the article: Old school]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]This may sound unsympathetic, but if you're looking to a magazine - a commercial enterprise - to tell you who you should be, then you deserve what you will inevitably get: depression, hostility, a pervasive sense of emptiness and failure. You're not supposed to be inspired by magazine articles, you're supposed to be cowed. How else can the magazine's advertizers make money? "if you use this product, you'll be just like the women in our articles!" Didn't your granny ever tell you not to believe everything you see/hear/read?
You sound as if you think that there is some objective meaning, some abiding truth, some wisdom "out there" that you have somehow failed to find. I have bad news. The universe is indifferent: to suffering, to success, and to your sniveling. The only meaning that matters, the only truth, the only wisdom that can sustain any person is the meaning, truth, and wisdom in your own head which, incidentally, I can personally guarantee that you will never find as long as you're taking mood altering meds.
The significance of your own life is whatever you say it is. If you tell yourself that it's sweeping up after the elephants in the parade, then that's exactly what your life amounts to - a pile of poo. If you tell yourself that it's chairing the community beautification committee, then that's what it is.
Speaking as a dumpy 60-year-old, I can assure you that, as Bette Davis/Art Linkletter pointed out, getting old is not for sissies. It's a thoroughly tough, often lonely, and potentially demoralizing experience. The only thing that I've ever found "out there" that provided me with lasting spirituatl and emotional sustenance are music and literature. I commend these pursuits to you, but be aware: literature is not MORE magazine, and music is not Madonna. Try reading a Dorothy Sayers mystery while listening to a little Mozart instead.
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Yeah right
[Read the article: Give Newt a chance]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]In case he hasn't noticed, our "good ol' American know-how," our will to achieve is being sucked out of us as the super rich become richer and more arrogant, and our elected representatives grow more distant from and unconcerned about the welfare of the citizenry they are constituted to serve.
Believe that a conservative would, even accidentally, make a choice that would benefit the majority? Fooled us once, Newt; your 15 minutes are over.
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Why thin is so in
[Read the article: On the runway, still needing a sandwich]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The reason that emaciation is the standard of beauty is because it is a goal that is almost impossible for most people to attain. Thus, the standard makes most people feel inadequate. What do Americans do when we feel inadequate? We buy something - anything that we think will make the bad feeling go away. This is the psychological reality behind 99% of all advertising, inside and outside the fashion industry: "you're not OK and you won't be OK until you buy this product. This product will bring you love and happiness."
As to the millions of American women (and men) who are eating themselves to an early grave, mentioned by a previous poster, a more careful look at the statistics reveals that obesity is closely linked to poverty and to limited education.
Instead of blaming people for being poor and/or ignorant, it would be more productive to find ways to turn our affluent society's attention to curing the unconscionable ills of poverty and ignorance. Lack of money=lack of access to (1) high quality education, (2) high quality health care services, and (3) high quality food=poor health habits, including those that result in obesity.