Letters to the Editor
Published Letters: 236 Editor's Choice: 17
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Here's Why the Barbie Thing is Squicky
[Read the article: Breast cancer Barbie]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Pink Ribbon™ Barbie® Doll. For more than 20 years, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has been leading the fight against breast cancer and now Barbie® doll contributes to the cause. Wearing a pink gown with a signature pink ribbon pinned to her shoulder, Pink Ribbon™ Barbie® doll is both a tool to help those affected with breast cancer talk to girls, and a way to support the cause! Barbie® joins the foundation in its work to eradicate breast cancer by donating $2.50 for each doll sold, with a guaranteed minimum donation of $25,000.00!
That, my friends, is the promotional verbiage on a collectors' site, under a picture of the Barbie. Barbie herself appears to have spent the entire day being made up and dressed by her lackeys, as she's in full metal dress ball mode.
Now, call me crazy, but I fail to understand just HOW a doll dressed for a ball will be a tool for discussing a disease with girls--or boys, for that matter. Because really, doesn't breast cancer affect BOYS as well as girls? Neither of them can be patients, as it's an adult disease. But both can have sisters, mothers, aunts, grandmothers who suffer from it.
The idea that a) breast cancer is unique in its devastation, that b) women are unique in their response to a life threatening/potentially mutilating disease and c) that only females are affected by this disease, either as patients or as loved ones of patients, is a disturbing one at best.
Not having dealt with breast cancer myself, I have no way of knowing what its effect on my own psyche would be. However, I have lost two aunts and a cousin to it, as well as a number of coworkers over the years. And I have to say that, from the POV of an observer, their response to breast cancer was not that of cute little girls who are dealing with the loss of their favorite puppy. On the contrary, I was awed by these amazingly strong women who made sure that they could prepare their families for their eventual demise, once it was clear that the disease, and not they, would emerge the victor.
So. Wear all the pink ribbons that you want, and mix up your famous kringle in a pink mixer, vacuuming the flour from the floor afterward with your pink Dyson.
Just remember that ANY disease that can mutilate and kill is not cute, and embracing cute is not a particularly effective way to deal with it. And for the love of all things holy and healthy, do NOT use a ridiculous oversexed doll to try to explain to Dick and Jane why Mommy looks and feels like shit right now.
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Did Any of You Even Read Rebecca's Note?
[Read the article: Idiot vos Savant]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Because it appeared to me that she was sort of HOPING that Ms. Smartypants would pick up on the teacher's preference for BOYS and comment on it.
As for the rest of it,
a) 250 cals ALTOGETHER for breakfast and lunch is, at minimum, about 350 cals too few, for fueling one's performance for an entire day. The writer who noted that s/he comsumes nearly nothing for bkft/lunch and 1000 cals for dinner is doing his/her body and brain a disservice.
b) ONE apple has between about 75 and 150 calories. It also contains vitamins, fiber, antioxidants and phytonutrients associated with the color of the apple's skin. Two pats of butter contain between 150 and 200 calories, saturated fat and salt. Maybe a little artificial color, maybe not.
The irony is that one of the self-proclaimed smartest people in the world, who, one would hope, has at least a rudimentary understanding of nutrition, would be so utterly ignorant of the subject.
The fact that her husband invented the artificial heart only adds to the amusement factor that she has.no.clue.
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I Get Enough Snark From My Own Mind
[Read the article: Rachael Ray, my dinner hooker]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Why would I want it from someone who's showing me a cooking method?
Because really, that's all that Rachel Ray is doing--showing me a cooking method. And quite successfully, I might add. As a self-employed person, who has crazy wild hours, I had convinced myself that I didn't have time to make dinner--ever.
But a few lunchtimes in front of Rachel Ray, and I had convinced myself otherwise.
Now, homemade pasta with a little of this and a little of that is a staple in my house, and chicken thighs are my new love--especially topped with some chopped sweet and hot peppers and served over rice.
What does it say about the belief systems around cooking in this country, that I could have reached the age of 55, have two college degrees, have raised FOUR children, and still, it had never occurred to me to put the freakin' lid on the pot when I'm bringing water to a boil, so that it would boil faster?
Does the perkiness get on my nerves? Of course it does. Do the boobs pushed skyhigh, peeking out of the silly shirts make me cringe? Yup. But I'll gladly deal with both, not necessarily every day, but often enough to see if there is a new way to get dinner on the table fast and tasty.
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It's his nose, too
[Read the article: Roberts' shiner?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]It's crooked to the left, and looks like a LOT of makeup on the bridge