Letters to the Editor
Published Letters: 6
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Tell It to the Judge
[Read the article: Ask the pilot]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]And let me ask you, Patrick: if you display pique at treatment by your bank, does the teller have the right to detain you for questioning by federal officials under the theory that you are a security risk?
Say you're in Hour 7 of sitting on a runway, confined to a plane. Claustrophobia is setting in as you sit squeezed in your middle row. You have listened to hours of pilot updates with short shelf lives, and you feel there is no end in sight. You approach a flight attendant and demand to be let off the plane. What are some possible consequences for this action?
The airline may suffer some financial penalty by having to issue vouchers, pay for a mea culpa ad campaign, etc. But you could be arrested.
More:
http://vernonlee.blogspot.com/2007/02/airline-passengers-bill-of-rights.html
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Phallic Insecurity
[Read the article: If only Newt Gingrich were president]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Our best hope is to find a way to make such appeals to assuaging mascuine anxiety less satisfying.
http://vernonlee.blogspot.com/2007/04/speaking-softly-and-carrying-small.html
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Congrats
[Read the article: Gonzales' Fan Club of One]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]on the Olbermann h/t on Countdown!
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Deep appreciation
[Read the article: Am I an alcoholic?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]for this letter today. I really needed to read both the question and Cary's wonderful response. I've been thinking about this very issue, in much the same way, as the LW.
To the LW: I hope you will ignore those who put drinking as you describe it alongside eating a few extra cookies or sourced in an urge to relax after a long hard day.
You know that what they're describing is not what you experience. These letter writers can't subjectively experience what those whose brains have a special response to alcohol experience. That's fine.
But for those who have found themselves wondering where they are on the continuum, these sang froid "take up stamp collecting" responses are describing an alternate universe: of those whose brain pleasure centers don't light up like pinball machines when exposed to alcohol or other drugs.
I'm reminded of a story Stephen King told of another alcholic friend who said he was always surprised when someone asked him how much he drank. The friend's answer? "All of it."
And I hope you'll continue your journey. I am taking a deep breath here and believe it's time to begin mine.
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My, You're Looking Downright Frisky, Mr. Continetti
[Read the article: The disappearing protests]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I actually think Tweety hit on something rather interesting in his confab with Mr. Young Republican.
This sentence:
If you were vulnerable to the draft right now, you would have a much less frisky attitude about this war than you might have right now
Yes, indeed. One's friskiness is inversely proportionate to one's likelihood of actually having to suit up with 100 pounds of gear in 130 degree temperatures, and risk being brought home in an aluminum coffin nobody's allowed to photograph.
Too bad Tweety didn't linger on 101st Fighting Keyboarders' friskiness in the face of war others must fight.
Perhaps he can invite Max Blumenthal for a segment:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/max-blumenthal/generation-chickenhawk-t_b_56676.html
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What was going on?
[Read the article: Mitt Romney in the crosshairs]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Simple.
At Mitt's maximum moment of vulnerability, it's easy to deliver a fatal blow & finish him off. All other candidates are taking advantage of a wobble to turn it into a death spiral. Once his fundraising dries up after NH (keep in mind that Romney's campaign has been kept afloat thus far due to massive infusions of his own cash), Mitt will be looking at some grim numbers.
McCain was in a death spiral months back and is now competitive again. I'm sure nobody wants to give Romney some shot at a respectable finish that will allow him to limp along and recover later.