Today's Daily Pulse has an interesting contrast describing the war in Iraq, a letter from a service man in Stars and Stripes Europe, and a letter from a retired serviceman who very obviously is trying to take credit without actually saying he spent any time in Iraq. Guess which one blusters more.
Evolution keeps popping up in the letters sections. A lot of the letters look familiar, but I can't tell if they are astroturf (if they are, they change the language enough to avoid a simple Google search) or if these simpletons are just all drinking from the same kool-aid jug.
The Daily Pulse appears daily at MyDD, where you can also see Chris Bowers' Action Thread, pointing you to real actions you can take every day.
The Oakland (California) Tribune
You just had to know the right wing attack on Durbin would resonate in the letters. Do you think people actually read Durbin's comments, or just took Rush's word for it. I think a better argument can be made that ignoring the Geneva Convention puts our forces at risk than that free speech and ACCURATE descriptions of torture put our forces at risk, but that's just my opinion. If you want to see a TRULY bizarre discussion on this very topic, see this diary, Dick Durbin, Nazis, and Suicide Minks, describing a conversation I had with a co-worker and former Dan Burton apparatchik. Let me give you a teaser-
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By the way, didn't Newseek turn out to be correct after all?
Reprehensible comments
SEN. DICK DURBIN, Ill., should resign for his comments about the American interrogators at Guantanamo Bay -- likening them to Nazis, Soviet gulags and Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot ("GOP fumes over 'Nazi' remarks," June 17).
These comments are without merit and most probably will result in jeopardizing American lives, particularly those of our armed forces.
He is accompanied by Sen. Patrick Leahy, Vt., and Sen. Ted Kennedy, Mass., in their collective diatribe against our troops. Their actions are seditious.
Recent falsehoods printed by Newsweek magazine regarding the desecration of the Quran resulted in many lives lost. Newsweek's retraction was too little, too late. ...
Jim Thompson
Oakland
Letters to the Editor
Stars and Stripe Europe
Yup, THAT Stars and Stripes. A newspaper by servicemen for servicemen. It comes upon occasion in the Randomizer, and is always interesting. It is also far less jingoistic than you might think. Perhaps fighting behind a gun, rather than a keyboard, gives one some perspective.
Why flushings are wrong
In addition to being a violation of the Army equal employment opportunity policy, the maltreatment of a detainee's holy book is not in accordance with the Army values and is downright un-American.
In "Result of Quran flushings" (letter, June 4), the writer implied that any intelligence gains gotten by such an abhorrent practice would be worth the affront to Muslims. As an interrogator, an Arabic linguist and as a Muslim, I am equally offended by the maltreatment of the Quran as the masses of people demonstrating against the practice. ...
Offense against an entire religion is foolish and irresponsible. Our national interests require that we build bridges and friendships in the Middle East, and such acts degrade the trust and relationships that responsible soldiers and civilians have worked to build.
We, as soldiers, are representatives of the American people and we do not serve them well by offending people whom we are trying to help. If we cannot think before we act, and all that we can manage is "Bring it on!" or other offensive acts, then I would recommend, instead of my Army, joining some militia in Montana. Despite what we think, we cannot be an island against the world.
Abu Mustajwib
Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Iraq
Letters to the Editor
Andalusia (Alabama) Star News
This paper's web site has links to other news sources. One of those links is to Newsmax. What else do you need to know? There sure is a lot of anger in this letter. Notice, though, that we really don't know what "small part" this guy had in anything. Of course, the idyllic picture of the "Iraq miracle" does not seem to match the picture the Iraqis or American commanding generals are seeing, but hell, they're probably just liberal pinheads too.
Letter from Iraq
Ignorant critics have often asked what President Bush's "exit strategy" was.
To ask such a question is naive and jeopardizes the delicate process unfolding. We invaded Iraq in 2003, overthrew a dangerous dictator, and are now transitioning political and military power, rebuilding a nation, providing security and combat forces, and training their new Army.
Why? ...
But the liberal pin-heads reporting the nightly news will be retired before they figure it out. Fortunately, the Iraqi people have figured out what this "Operation Iraqi Freedom" is all about. That's why they love us so much! And that's why it is all worth it!
So stop watching CNN and listening to the liberal, foolish media! History is being made in a region that has been at war for thousands of years. If America fought for freedom and peace in the south, Europe (twice), Asia , and against communism, I think world events of the last few decades, including 9/11, have clearly demonstrated that religious radicals can no longer be allowed to enslave the Arab world, suppress women, and attack non-Muslims globally.
This is the fight for world peace of our time, and I am so honored to have a small part in it!
Michael E. Reid, SSG., USAR
President and Publisher
The Denver (Colorado) Post
It's nice to see letters like this. The Patriot Act was not only passed during a time of panic. No, we really weren't that panicked. It was passed by changing the text at the last second and not giving anybody a chance to read it- typical cheap Republican parliamentary trick. The Republican's greatest sin is not their theocracy, or their corporatism, or any overarching ism, it is their utter disrespect for democracy itself, as long as they are the ones in power. I genuinely believe they would create a one-party state, outlawing all dissent, if they could. That is the scariest thing of all, for they really are not American the same way I am. They believe in America as nationalism. I believe in it as a promise.
USA Patriot Act
The Patriot Act imposes restrictions on freedom that no democracy should ever tolerate. We need concerned citizens to stop the government from stripping away our rights in the guise of safety.
People across the country have made clear their opposition to the Patriot Act. Hundreds of communities and seven states have passed resolutions against the Patriot Act. ...
The Patriot Act needs to be removed, not expanded.
Cliff Hughes, Glenwood Springs
Letters to the Editor
The Daily Advance (Elizabeth City, North Carolina)
This letter is a PERFECT example of the entire evolution debate- on one side, science. On the other side, people who really believe "I have faith" is a persuasive argument against science. The real tragedy is that for many, it is.
Evolution still an unprovable theory
...
The fact is that the theory of evolution is not only unproved but unprovable.
Most scientists who hold that the theory of evolution is science agree that all life began with spontaneous generation. Those same scientists also agree that spontaneous generation of life is impossible. Come on, fellows, you can't have it both ways. A true scientist will not accept anything as fact until it's proved to be fact. Others accept their own theories as fact because they want to believe so strongly that they're true. ...
Sometimes a little knowledge will inflate the egos of little men so that they assume an arrogance inappropriate to their stature.
As you might have gathered, I'm a Christian. I don't know that the Bible's true, but I believe it is - and that's the essence of faith.
RAY BUMGARDNER
Elizabeth City
Letters to the Editor
American News (Aberdeen, South Dakota)
First of all, whenever I see a group name like "Concerned women for America," I want to gag. Do they really think the rest of the women don't give a shit, that just because they are not of the same religion or politics that they let their children play on the highway? What self-aggrandizing horse shit. Second, just how many "snowflakes" has this woman adopted, and just how many "former embryos" did she spontaneously abort in her life without ever knowing it? This absurd photo-op should be offensive to every couple that ever had trouble conceiving as well as every friend or family member. If these people have their way, unprotected missionary position will be the law of the land.
No spare stem cells
Delighting the president and the media, 21 "Snowflakes" visited the White House in May with their parents. As a reminder that there is no such thing as a spare stem cell, those in attendance wore stickers that read "Former Embryo."
Dubbed "Snowflake Kids," the children were all conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and frozen as embryos. They were adopted by new parents and implanted in the uterus of their adoptive mom, who gave birth to them. Like snowflakes, each is unique. ...
In her confusion, Wood stated that these "cells are life, but not 'a life'." Tell that to these families blessed with "snowflake" kids. President Bush said, "These lives are not raw materials to be exploited, but gifts."
The "snowflakes" and their families reveal the inhumanity of embryonic stem-cell research.
Linda Schauer
State director,Concerned Women for America of SD Leola
Letters to the Editor
Tulare (California) Advance Register
I don't feel really old, but when I read things like this, itemizing the national debt at $150,000 per person, I feel like I'm reliving an old nightmare. The difference is that nightmare took years to create, and we might not have known better at the time. This one was created in an instant, and we should have already learned our lesson.
Bush administration doesn't serve nation
The Bush administration in its infinite wisdom chose to lower taxes, reduce income and increase spending every year in power. This administration has lied about the war in Iraq, the financing of the war in Iraq, the financing of Social Security,and the financing of Medicare. It chose to reduce funds to schools, cut $4.5 billion from Medicaid and eliminate $500 million for programs sorely needed to retrain dislocated workers affected by the policies of this administration. ...
In this insane financial environment, it is interesting to note that the liberal Brookings Institute and the very conservative Heritage Foundation made a joint plea to the Comptroller General, David Walker, regarding the current budget nightmare.
In their discussion, both agreed that without some combination of big tax increases and major cuts in Medicare, Social Security and most other spending, the country will fall victim to the huge debt and soaring interest rates that collapsed Argentina's economy and caused riots in its streets a few years ago. Both sides agreed that to do nothing would lead to deficit of a scale never seen in this country. The U.S. debt is estimated at $45 trillion or $150,000 per person.
Balancing the budget in 2040 would require cutting total federal spending by as much as 60 percent or raising taxes 2 1/2 times our level today. The fact that Heritage and Brookings both agreed is monumental in itself. We need to remind our lawmakers that unless we change our ways quickly, no constitutional republic in history has lasted more than 300 years..Unfortunately we, in the Valley have politicians who parrot the mantra currently in Washington, but unless they hear from you, this path to ruin will continue.
BILL OSAK
Visalia
Letters to the Editor
The Daily Press (Escanaba, Michigan)
The Inquisition. What a show. We are NOT a Christian nation, and Christianity is NOT the religion of peace. I have no question that Christ was a philosopher of peace. I also have no question that if he were to come back today a lot of people would be in for some very ugly surprises. I really don't think "turn the other cheek" meant KILL KILL KILL.
U.S. based on religious equality
...
The Koran is not a book "filled with teachings that promote violence," and why shouldn't Muslim prisoners have any rights? If they were Christian, would that make it better? If they had the Holy Bible in their hands, wouldn't that advocate the spread of Christianity?
I assume Kevin Lord doesn't think the spread of Christianity is a bad thing, but if he knew anything about other cultures and world history, he'd realize Christianity was just as detrimental to other groups. This will include the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition, just to name a few.
I'm not saying either religion is superior, but this country was founded on giving people equal rights based on religion, and this country is not Christian. To say so would deny the American Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, and so on. And if you think that's alright, Kevin Lord, then I would say you were un-American.
Jessica Shepard, Escanaba
Letters to the Editor
The Times-News (Twin Falls, Idaho)
Follow the money. This guy has it right. If Eli Lilly could patent pot, it would be flying off the shelves. Instead, it is cheap competition for dozens of drugs, and we can't have that.
Pharmaceutical drugs keep pot down low
The recent Supreme Court decision against the use of medical marijuana has left me asking several questions about what is the real reason that the drug will probably never see legality in my lifetime. ...
We've all seen the barrage of television commercials (Steppin' Large!) for perfectly legal recreational sex drugs, but what would happen if someone discovered an easily grown weed that could enhance one's sex life in the same manner? I think we would all be told that the weed, like marijuana, should be considered not fit for human consumption under any circumstances. Just follow the money.
RANDY WILLIAMS
Jerome
Letters to the Editor
The Register Guard (Eugene, Oregon)
Something happened in America in the last decade. Somewhere along the line we were forced to surrender our bullshit meters, and pretend that every side to an argument was equally valid. Also, we have to pretend that if somebody says something, they mean it, even if it is screamingly obvious they are lying. "Intelligent design" is a manufactured and fraudulent response to court cases saying you can't teach creationism in school. So why do we have to pretend otherwise?
Who designed the designer?
Margaret Sholaas writes most disingenuously (letters, June 13) that intelligent design - the latest evolution in stealth creationism from activist evangelicals - only claims the designer is intelligent, not supernatural.
I wonder who she imagines did the design work. Henry Kissinger? ...
Finally, if this designer was really so intelligent, why did it give molluscs a better designed eye - one without a blind spot where the optic nerve penetrates the retina - than humans? In any case, intelligent design scholar Stephen Meyer openly admitted in a May 2005 debate at Westminster College in Missouri that he thinks the intelligent designer is the God of Judeo-Christians and that sub-optimal designs and deadly diseases are not examples of an unintelligent designer but instead are a result of the "the Fall" in the Garden of Eden. Does this sound like a scientific theory that we should be teaching our kids in science classes?
JOHN DONOVAN
Eugene
Letters to the Editor
Parkersburg (West Virginia) News and Sentinel
It is amazing what hubris people have. Upon what basis can anybody conclude that they, having read an article or two, and combined it with their faith, can dictate with expertise the proper direction for cutting edge research by some of the best trained and most brilliant minds in the world? Hey, I have an idea, why don't we take all the rubber bands in America and make a giant slingshot, and shoot the shuttle up that way, instead of wasting all that rocket fuel. Isn't my idea just as good as the next guy's?
Research showing promise
Our U.S. senators and representatives are debating the issue of stem cell research. Many advocate cloning human cells or taking the stem cells from living human embryos, thereby killing the embryos, to perform research in hopes of curing disease.
However, what the media and embryonic research proponents fail to tell us is that stem cells from human embryos have not been able to cure even a single disease or condition, despite millions in federal money spend on it. In the meantime, a safe, inexpensive, plentiful and uncontroversial source of stem cells is quietly curing a growing number of diseases, and yet is being virtually overlooked-umbilical cord stem cells
These valuable cells, found in blood taken from the umbilical cords of babies after birth, have cured diseases like sickle cell anemia and leukemia. New research being done at places such as Duke, California State and the University of Kansas has shown exciting results in treating heart attacks, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, stroke and spinal cord and brain injuries. The collection of umbilical cord blood is easy and painless and does not involve any risk to mother or baby. Most importantly, umbilical cord stem cells are not harvested from human embryos and therefore, do not end a potential human life.
Despite the medical evidence, some scientists and lawmakers still want to pour our tax money into more research for embryo derived cells, which have shown no results. Why should living human embryos be killed in vain, while a much more promising and responsible solution goes unfunded? Informed, concerned citizens can make a difference. Please contact your senators and representatives and urge them not to vote for legislation that destroys embryos and instead support increased funding for umbilical cord stem cell research. If you are expecting a baby you can donate umbilical cord blood. It is painless and free of charge.
It is important that our society preserve life, even at the earliest stages. It is also important to try our best to treat and cure debilitating diseases. Umbilical cord stem cells have the potential to do both.
Angela Adams
Elizabeth
Letters to the Editor
Parkersburg (West Virginia) News and Sentinel
If this person is really that concerned about the economic future of his children and grandchildren he should tell Republicans to stop spending their future like crack addicts in the piggy bank, rather than suggesting we modify Social Security to send billions of dollars into the untrustworthy hands of Bush's 12 biggest single contributors, all Wall Street firms.
Social Security in crisis
I recently received a letter from AARP advising they are against President Bush's idea of modifying the Social Security system by allowing some personal investment in private means of savings, with part of the money we would put into Social Security. ...
What we seniors should be concerned about is the future of our children and their children, if left with the present, dying system. The liberals say "not to worry." Social Security will survive to 2040. So, what happens then? By 2040, likely more people will be taking our of Social Security that people putting in, so the government will put seniors on an "old age pension" and society is back where it started 70 years ago, with the taxpayers picking up another burden. ...
To you younger folks, I say contact your senators and congressmen and tell them you want the opportunity of having control over your retirement income. This means in the event of your demise, your investments go to your heirs, not the Social Security fund.
The Social Security plan under its present form is destined to self destruct. Based on that fact, your retirement depends entirely on the play you immediately put together. Otherwise, if you haven't saved you will probably spend your retirement years as a ward of the federal government. God forbid.
Harold D. Porter
Vincent, Ohio
Letters to the Editor
Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal
I will leave it to those far wiser than I to debate the details of evolution. I will merely point out that the latest attack on evolution by the crackpots is not even about evolution. Evolution considers the change from one type of life to another. The crazies keep confusing that with the creation of life, an entirely different issue.
No evidence for evolution
I have noticed several letters in recent weeks defending the theory of evolution. Where is the evidence? There is no plausible mechanism for the very first living cell. I see no evidence of any mutation ever having had a beneficial effect. ...
It's now known that the beaks of finches return to normal size when food is plentiful. The National Academy of Sciences put out a booklet for teachers that did not mention the average beak size returned to normal. Instead they speculated about what might happen if the increase in size (due to drought and food shortage) would continue, whether the process would even produce a new species of finch.
Philip Johnson pointed out that this was clearly misleading: ``When our leading scientists have to resort to the sort of distortion that would land a stock promoter in jail, you know they are in trouble.'' ...
One can see that there has been a lack of integrity in the arguments for evolution. The largest fraud is to claim as science that which is clearly philosophy or even a religion. The closed-mindedness of the evolutionists is clearly demonstrated by their definition of science, which will not consider any arguments that do not have a naturalistic, materialistic basis. True science will be willing to follow the evidence wherever it leads.
Arnold A. Beck
Clinton
Letters to the Editor
Bluefield (West Virginia) Daily Telegraph
I did not even notice until I started putting in comments that the Randomizer hit two different West Virginia newspapers. And, it appears, two different West Virginia opinions about Social Security.
Social Security must not be changed
This letter concerns Mr. Bush's push to realign the Social Security system into a personal investment account. Hog wash. Our current system has worked for years, Why change it?
I am a poor ol' dumb hillbilly and I see things our leaders can either halt or change to retain our integrity and preserve our cash flow without hurting the elderly. Through the years those people by the grace of God helped mold our nation into a free society. Now the rich man wants to line their pockets at the elderly expense. They put their greedy paws into the poor man's wallet. ...
Recently a minimum wage increase was considered that was shot down. The leaders said that would stimulate a recession. They have loads of book sense but they failed to pick up any common sense on the way. But then again greed knows no boundaries. ...
As far as our Social Security system is, leave it alone. Would they like it if we put our hands in their wallets? Something of this magnitude should be put to a vote for even the president is not right all the time.
Greed brings out the worst in 99 percent of the people. I've shared a scenario of where billions of dollars go. Why not replenish a troubled Social Security system?
Charity begins at home.
Barry S. Duncan, Princeton, WV
Letters to the Editor