Letters to the Editor
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Now THAT's Funny!
Cammille claims she likes eloquence and hates glibness.
I saw her speak and attend a mixer of sorts back at my liberal alma mater (Brown) in the early '90s. At the time, I was impressed with her willingness to engage with a bunch of arrogant adolescents who really weren't worth the time of day. I appreciated the fact that she was so articulate in her dismissal of the absurd black-and-white political discourse about subjects like date-rape as they were placed into the context of human sexuality. And yeah, she was cute and entertaining in her way--at least to anyone willing to listen to what she was actually saying, rather than thinking of their counter-strokes every time she opened her mouth. Perhaps even anyone who didn't call her a "rape apologist" or "anti-feminist."
And now, alas, little more than a steady jumble of clever quips and topic changes, better suited to the "Can you Believe?" segment on the average entertainment magazine show than a Salon column. A few too many cups of espresso and a toke or two and maybe I could get into it.
She's still teaching? What in heaven's name could she be doing for education these days?
Ah, well. I confess that I do think she's still cute and entertaining, but I am a bit disappointed in both myself and her every time I read her column to the end. I'd feel better about myself afterwards if I just jerked off instead.
As an aside to all the posters who keep demanding her column be cut from Salon--what are you, idiots? *You* clicked on the link! You are generating the "buzz" and web-traffic that makes her a worthwhile asset to a for-profit website. Each time you post a letter about how much you hate her writing, you SUPPORT HER PRESENCE HERE.
It's the fucking Internet people! There are TROLLS out there! With the money you save from your cancelled Salon subs, go buy a clue from the playbook!
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Quite a fatwah you've got going!
Geeeeezuuuuschristamighty!
I'm new to Salon (I was drawn in by Paglia) and I'm astounded by the vitriol you people are spewing at this woman.
Apparently it's an unforgivable sin to not be an "Orthodox Liberal" The Taliban --- or Pol Pot for that matter --- certainly has nothing on most of the letter posters here.
For the record, Paglia is not a "conservative." She's a libertarian Democrat. In other words, she doesn't share the fascistic tendencies that I see displayed here.
Are you really that threatened by any thoughts that challenge your dogma that you can't abide their mere existance? (Salman Rushie's "Satanic Verses" ring a bell?)
Such pathetic beliefs you must have!
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Thoughtful and engaging!
This was a good read! A refreshing change from other writers' voices on Iraq and gun control.
I'm not sure why there is such paranoia that Camille isn't for real. Is it because she's different? I've read her for years, and I've found her to be pretty darn consistent. She's mellowed, and I miss some of her old fire, but I like that she's true to her generational aesthetic tastes, and I also have to say I like how she seems to have become a better listener.
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re: ms. Paglia
Dear Editor,
While I disagree with some or much of what Ms. Paglia had to say, I do think that her views are valuable and deserve space in Salon. I think that she probably represents what could be called the "moderate Democrat" wing of the American political spectrum and, for that reason alone, should be given an opportunity to express her views.
Her views on climate change are, of course, profoundly annoying. But, then again, there are always people who want to believe that the earth is flat.
On the issue of Iraq, I agree with some of your readers that Ms. Paglia is far too soft with the first letter writer. The idea that the West is involved in a generational struggle with radical Islam will only happen if we allow it to happen and if the West keeps doing things that provoke the Islamic world. The reality of terrorism, and religiously-motivated terrorism, if irrefutable. However, the greater danger that we face as Western civilizations is grossly exaggerating what this terrorism is and what it can do. So radical Islamists blow up the occasional train or bus or plane. On a really good day (for them) they take out some airliners and maybe a building or two. On the scale of real war, this is nothing. Let's recognize the best way to deal with terrorism is to treat it like a crime, let the police do their job (within strict limits defined by human rights and due process) and let's stop using terrorism as an excuse to use military force against other parts of the world.
Indeed, when we agonize about how to integrate Muslims into the West, we should also be agonizing over why the West has done so much to alienate and abuse the very Muslim communities it is trying to win over.
Sincerely,
Shaun Narine
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Kamille Katie Kouric
The only difference is one pretends to be a journalist and the other pretends to be and intellectual. The common denominator is mediocrity. Feminism needs a kick in the ass, but not by these asses. Is this the best we can do? Chamo-camille was a tired act twenty years ago. ZZZZZZZZZ. Wake me up when she's over herself.
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Friggin' idiots!!
Dear Editor,
Some people are just stupid! All the liberals want to do is just scream about how stupid Bush is when the democrats on "the hill" haven't gotten any real legislation passed yet because they can't agree on anything. I am an independent conservative. I think the Republicans lack any real balls and leadership, but I also think that if the Democrats let their real ideologies be known, the American people would run them out of office faster than you can say "Clinton likes cigars and interns"!! It's time we stop screaming about all the raping that our army is doing in Iraq (which isn't happening) and start realizing that if they weren't fighting this war for us, we would have a much greater chance of getting our sorry, complaining, unthankful butts blown out of the sky!!
Sincerely,
Sayitlikeitis