Letters to the Editor
in the woods
Published Letters: 57 Editor's Choice: 39
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ho ho ho
[Read the article: Christmas with the Wilsons]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Hey Cintra Wilson, you are really funny. I laughed out loud. Fantastic piece!
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The Telltale Hat
[Read the article: What's in a hat?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]When I first saw that photo of Jack Abramoff, I thought, "He's religious?!" While I had been following the news story, I don't have TV and had never seen a picture of him before.
This past week, as I took note of the media's gleeful interpretation of his hat and coat as being gangster, I was surprised by how few people knew the religious Jewish look when they saw it. As an ex-city girl, I can tell you that in New York, for instance, anyone who has been to the lower east side would recognize that hat immediately. Or parts of Brooklyn. Or been to 47th Street. Or who has simply ridden the subway, when you come down to it. Actually, now that I think about it, how did all the New Yorkers in the media not know that hat? Are people not looking at each other anymore?
It made me aware of how, even with the highspeed efficiency of the internet, there are still pockets of culture in our society that remain largely invisible to most.
I was sad when I saw that hat. While not observant myself, I have friends who are. I feel sad that Abramoff's religiousness will forever be linked with his unlawful behavior.
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Invisible in Hollywood: Women
[Read the article: "Invisible in Hollywood: Jewish women"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]'nuf said.
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"I wonder why the magazine didn't put a photo of black and Latino boys on its cover."
[Read the article: The "war on boys" escalates]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Because the sad truth is that most people in media still think white is universal. My guess is it didn't even occur to the powers-that-be at Newsweek to include people of color on the cover.
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a million maybes
[Read the article: During the blizzard, I refused to shelter my friend]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I live in a place where blizzards are not uncommon, nor are power outtages. If my power goes out in the winter, so does the heat. My response is to make sure the faucets are dripping so the pipes won't freeze, then I pile on the blankets and take to my bed. The power usually comes back in a decent enough amount of time, but if it were special circumstances, say, beyond 24 hours, I might call a friend and ask if I might come over. But it's certainly true it does take time, and some painful phonecalls, before one knows who among one's friends one can count on in a pinch.
There's a lot we don't know. Maybe the friend was from a more temperate climate and was freaked out by the blizzard. The first time I experienced one with a power outtage, I was probably a bit freaked out. Maybe the friend is one of those people afraid of solitude, and without the TV or radio or computer, didn't know what to do with himself. Though you would think perhaps a chatty phonecall with a friend might be enough to put him at ease. Perhaps the friend is one of those people used to getting what he wants, and the LW, when not canoodling with her boyfriend, is one of those people who is more of a stoic.
For the friend to be nursing his anger so much, it makes me think the person he is most angry at is himself. Perhaps the friend is one of those people for whom it is difficult to ask for help. He took a chance, even tho it was hard, and now he feels ashamed about his need. Maybe he carried a secret yen for the LW.
There are a million maybes. I think the LW must feel at least a tiny bit bad about it, too, because she wrote in.
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I hear them laughing
[Read the article: Making Colbert go away]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I just watched it again. People laughed through the whole thing. And clapped. There was only one joke followed by a big silence, and that was the line about retired generals being strong enough to stand at a bank of computers and order young men into battle. Other than that -- laughs. The glacier line, a big laugh. The mallomar line, a big laugh. And even Colbert's line about having "nothing but contempt for you people" got a laugh.
So I don't know who wasn't laughing that night -- I guess the same people they've found to say it "wasn't funny."
I, too, noticed the wimpy coverage by the major media, how all the articles were about the Bush double. I was shocked by the lame coverage of Colbert by the NY Times. Why did they even bother?
I have to say: I'm SO GLAD there is the internet, and venues like Salon. Otherwise, we'd all be stewing in our little corners, wondering if we were going mad!
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re: in sales
[Read the article: I am in an impossible marriage]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I'm guessing the LW is going for a classic definition here and that the meaning intended is "unavailable" -- ie, not only is he married, but he's always on the road. (And perhaps further playing the field.)
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Well done!
[Read the article: ¡Ay caramba! MacBook is hot]
[Read more letters about this article: Here](sorry, couldn't resist)
Dear Gabriella Papic,
Thanks for the laughs this morning.
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an alternative to drugs
[Read the article: I am depressed, but that's not really the problem, is it?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I think it's worth it to try natural things, too. For me, St. John's Wort didn't work.
But increasing my take of Omega 3 fatty acids has made a big difference. I take it in pill form (Fish Oil -- you can buy it at a healthfood store). You can also buy eggs enriched with it. It's also in salmon and other foods.
I know someone mentioned exercising, and I know the idea of exercise can be so daunting. However, you might try taking a walk every day.
Walks are nice.
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the one strange line
[Read the article: Must I always be haunted by the loss of my one true love?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I find that Golden Gate line a bit suspect, too. Could it be the misspeak of a tourist? You wouldn't say, "I swam the Brooklyn Bridge," for instance. LW, explain yourself!
On a separate but related note, I'm curious: Cary, do Letter Writers ever write you back and respond to you or any of the posts people make? Do you ever hear follow-up stories, progress reports, thank yous or worse?
I always wonder: And then what happened....?