Letters to the Editor
Published Letters: 19 Editor's Choice: 1
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Somewhere in between
[Read the article: Our new friend is a racist -- should we dump him?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I agree that Cary's advice to come to terms with the racist friend seems a bit too easy. I'm not sure he would give that advice if he were black.
On the other hand ... I grew up with a mother from the deep South and a father from Kansas. My mom and dad are New Deal liberals. I'm a Massachusetts liberal who opposed Ted Kennedy when he first ran because he wasn't progressive enough for me. But my mother's family is from the deep South and we've long been on different sides of the political divide.
Over the years, I've come to realize that my southern relatives -- issues of politics and race aside -- are some of the most wonderful people in the world. If my life were on the line, I could count on them far sooner than I could count on some of my liberal friends. I've noticed that about a few other conservatives too.
We never talk about politics. And I'm not black. But the point is that people are much more complicated than we give them credit for. Good character is rarely pure. And there is much to be said for co-existing with people, if possible, and profiting from the best they have to offer, rather than shunning them because of the worst they have to offer. How in the world will this country survive if we can't do that?
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Leave
[Read the article: Some drunken chick is texting my husband while we're sleeping]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]It's not complicated. He's cheated on you in the past. He'll cheat on you in the future. You've let him bully his way out of it. Time to move on.
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My life in half a dozen words
[Read the article: Memoir in six words]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Support family. Sing, dance, kvetch. Love!
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Kennedy's remark was not sexist
[Read the article: McCain campaign baits Obama on Clinton slurs]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]You wrongly imply that it was sexist of Kennedy to say that Hillary Clinton is not in tune with Obama's "appeal for the nobler aspirations." What is sexist about that? In fact, it was not politic, and it was not particularly healing, but it was true, and it helped quash the terrible idea of having Clinton serve as VP.
Kennedy told the truth about the Iraq war when Clinton and Kerry were too calculating to admit it. He has transformed himself over the years into one of our most principled Democratic leaders. Clinton hasn't reached that stature, and her campaign for the nomination has tarnished her reputation. Hopefully, her work in the Senate over the decades will make things right.