Letters to the Editor
Published Letters: 234 Editor's Choice: 42
-
If the pay is good...
[Read the article: New debates about the oldest profession]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]In this economy, we can't afford to be dismissive of an industry that generates such huge profits. Many women choose "dancing" (stripping) and ""escorting" (prostitution) because it pays well, pays off those school loans and debts from missing deadbeat dads. In many cases, prostitution could be less soul-deadening, not to mention physically damaging, than some marriages. Of course it is a choice that many women make.
We hardly have anything to sell in this country anymore BUT our bodies, so more power to those who can make it work without the drugs and pimp abuse. I agree, legalize it and regulate it and we will see less criminal activity associated with the world's oldest profession. And possibly less hypocrisy.
-
Connect the dots
[Read the article: The Politico claims the Iraq war will help McCain]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Karl Rove is advising the McCain campaign. Master Manipulator phones fawning media whore. Nuff said.
-
Surge those checks!
[Read the article: The Politico claims the Iraq war will help McCain]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]what, no news about the sunni tribal leaders who are now refusing to fight al queda because the US government payments have stopped?
-
in a related story...
[Read the article: Record gas prices equal record Prius sales]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]on ATC yesterday. Gives you a really warm fuzzy feeling about buying anything from Ford, in particular.
All Things Considered, March 31, 2008 ยท Manufacturers are blitzing the airwaves with ads for hybrid SUVs, but they aren't actually making very many. Orders can take months, and some dealers are adding big markups.
Here's the link to the story:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89248524
-
Our memories vs. current church camps
[Read the article: Our kids want to go to Christian summer camp]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Yeah, they used to be benign. But no more. Once the Christian Coalition began to put the temptation of oh-so-worldly political power in the minds of pastors, each dumb kid turns into a vote, and see where that has led us. These are indoctrination camps by definition, even if their methods are not overt, because religion in this country has become about the numbers, and every believer is trained to be a missionary.
School age kids are desperately in need of social approval and the ability to stand up and be different has to be backed up with parent's willingness to provide alternative social groups for the kids if the society at large is overwhelmingly conservative Christian. Summer camps, teams and clubs are good examples. The kids have to see groups of people that are diverse, not homogenous like most religious gatherings.
This is part of being a parent. This IS your responsibility. Some camps are offered at low cost by cities, counties and the United Fund, so you have to do your homework. Trust me, the kids will forget about the religious camp, and will have plenty of time in their lives to deal with their eventual choice of faith. Using this event to start to talk to all your kids now about religion would be a good thing to start.
And, actually, you have to stand up for your beliefs to show your kids how to do it. They take all cues from you. Are you perhaps feeling guilty about leaving the church and so you're letting your kids pay for your sin? You should spend some time thinking about that as well, because that kind of undercurrent will definitely damage your kids later.
-
Jeez
[Read the article: Randi Rhodes calls Hillary Clinton a whore]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]you crawl out of the woodwork, don't you haters. Both of you, into the corners! Just get over your eighth-grade selves. You've still got a general election to win, you dopes.
-
The best of the worst is pretty good
[Read the article: I Like to Watch]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]While I hate most of reality-tvworld, Project Runway is especially close to my heart. As JulieBird said, it is about craft. The behind-the-scenes is what's fascinating, and as little spatting as possible, please. I don't even remember any of the clothes in Season 1, because I was so focused on hating Wendy Pepper.
...even though the challenges are ridiculous ("Carve a free-range turkey with one hand tied behind your back!" "Make an evening gown out of dental floss!") and don't accurately represent real-world situations.
I can attest that the un-real challenges are actually time-honored approaches to shake up students in art schools to really think about materials and function. The showpiece episode, that Chris and Christian won, with BOTH the over-the-top and off-the-shelf versions, shows how that leads to creativity in everything that you do.
-
I hope
[Read the article: This Modern World]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]... the US is not turning into a third-world dictatorship, all power and wealth for the rich, no jobs or education for the poor and no evidence of a middle class.
Oh, too late.
-
What you really most need
[Read the article: I quit being a musician because I couldn't play without drinking]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]First of all, if you're already drinking and smoking now, why not go back to music? But really, it's not about the drugs and drink.
The need to excel, to "do something with your life" is a common theme for an oldest child. Your young parents filled your young head with dreams of success that you subconsciously need to fulfill - for yourself, if not for them. It's hard to live up to those dreams, and harder to realize that you don't have to. You don't need medals, awards or a big income to be a success. Just one person per day saying "thanks, that was great" might suffice.
I can identify with the need to be recognized - my dad was a heart surgeon, who could live up to that? - and as a designer, I tended to keep clients that gushed over my work, and lose clients that were not vocal in their appreciation. Maybe that's why performing works for you - the audience knows to applaud at the end. Not many regular jobs have that feedback function built in.
Whatever path you choose in your life, you may need positive feedback on a regular basis. Think about your skills and where you will be most stroked. As for me, I now sell my work at art festivals, where I get compliments all day for what I do. But that, more than the money or fame, is what I most need. Maybe you are in a similar place.