01/19/01

It takes little to get on the “outside” of the establishment tyrannies and to even be blacklisted. Christ did it, Thomas Jefferson and the Zapata brothers and an endless stream of martyrs forever follow. I’d rather fight and die for the truth, against the dictators and tyrants of this world, than submit without a fight.

Greg Tibbits
Hemet, Calif.

Altruism is dead

RE: “Business as Unusual”

01/19/01

I think the age of innocence in entrepreneurs is already lost and over. I agree with the emphasis on NGOs, but if they are manned by people coming from the same polluted society, then God help us.

Satish Gore
India

RE: “Death by a Thousand Quotes”

01/19/01

The same two parties that gave us a campaign race focused on cuss words, mean faces, and kisses now grind it out in the confirmation process over such other burning issues as nannies and grudges. When are we going to abandon corporate America’s agenda and vote for candidates who can and will work on our problems?

Dan Brannen Jr.
Aaronsburg, Pa.

Religious right + feds = what?

RE: “The Bush Files”

01/18/01

Am I dumb, or is everyone missing the boat with Ashcroft? Both Ashcroft and Bush have espoused Bob Jones University’s moral and religious standards. Ashcroft’s vision of religion’s place in the community — providing services for communities under the financial aegis of the federal government while making new converts — is Bush’s view, too.

While Ashcroft must obey the law it does not mean he can’t bend it his way. He’ll be in a position to undermine church/state separation and critical civil rights positions, and to reinforce the stand against a women’s right to choose. His support of vouchers in education further reinforces federal funding of religious schools and their parent organizations.

As an atheist I view Ashcroft’s nomination as a disaster waiting to happen. Have we gone crazy? If the religious right get into bed with the federal government, as Ashcroft and Bush propose, what exactly will they spawn?

Chris Morton
Yorktown Heights, N.Y.

What do you expect?

RE: “The Department of Energy’s War on Whistleblowers”

01/18/01

The Department of Energy siding with corporations is no big surprise. Governmental agencies will continue to protect the illegal and/or immoral practices of big business as long as big business is pulling the strings of our elected politicians. This is one more example of the American political process being corrupted by corporate money. If the people of this country do not fight for radical campaign finance reform, we can expect more of the same in the future.

A. Quartermain
Denton, Texas

Protect the kids from corporations

RE: “Schoolhouse Rot”

01/17/01

I am a parent of a second grade student. Although we should not underestimate the intelligence of our children, they are a captive audience which is being targeted for branding. The intrusion of the corporation is disturbing but not surprising. We need to protect our kids from the onslaught of systematic marketing madness. There are no laws that protect the kids, though there are plenty to protect corporate interests. Our schools will always want more money. If there were laws to monitor and counter the intent of corporate intrusion in education, the promise of corporate charity would surely fizzle out.

Oliver Sanchez

But what can we do?

01/17/01

The article didn’t specify what can and should be done about it. Who can best bring recommendations to the attention of those in charge? How did San Francisco get their accomplishment installed? The article needs to go further.

Betty Albert

Humor not dead

RE: “It’s a Real, Real, Real, Real, Real World”

01/17/01

Funniest article I have read yet. Who says the sarcastic underbelly of America is dead?

Jon Batts

Financial over nutritional

RE: “Schoolhouse Rot”

01/15/01

I appreciate your investigation of this crisis and, as usual, you got the scoop. I was first made aware of the problem some three years ago when I spoke to a high school dietician in California. She informed me that the school made $750,000 per year from promoting and allowing Coke machines on campus.

No wonder none of the “nutritionists” at the schools are bothered about these soda machines: The breakfasts and lunches served are just about as unbalanced in carbohydrates as sodas. Obviously carbs are cheaper than proteins. The meals, I presume, are engineered by these dieticians who are concerned about costs rather than nutrition.

Chuck Meece

A litany of pop-related problems

01/14/01

As physician who works at a cancer hospital and in private practice, I can only say that Grace Wyshack’s data from the Harvard study supports my own observations that many common health problems, like osteoporosis, are related to soda pop consumption. I am also suspicious that endocrine disorders involving the thyroid and parathyroid may also be associated with soft drink use and abuse. Furthermore, cancer patients who drink soda seem to develop bone metastatic disease and pathological fractures far more frequently than their abstaining counterparts.

E. Ballard, M.D.

MoJo goes off half-cocked

RE: “Light Triggers, Heavy Profits”

01/14/01

It was with a bit of a chuckle that I read your old article, “Light Triggers, Heavy Profits.” As a former police officer, a competitive shooter and Army firearms instructor, I simply don’t know where to begin with the corrections. Suffice to say, even the title is in error — Glocks don’t have light triggers.

I appreciate your (obvious) anti-gun agenda, and you’re certainly free to your editorial opinion. It is simply wrong, however, to allow such blatantly inaccurate “reporting” to be presented as any form of journalism.

Larry Pomykalski

Ashcroft’s a red herring

RE: “The Bush Files”

01/13/01

How can we celebrate candidate Lieberman’s Jewishness and revile Ashcroft’s emphasis on Christianity at the same time? Is religion now the core issue in American politics? Let’s nuke Bush’s Cabinet and then we can all get along? Hate politics is OK if it is directed at conservatives but not at liberals?

Nothing significant will happen in the next four years, just like the last eight years. That’s why corporations contribute equal amounts to both Republicrat parties: to create benign gridlock. The country needs Ralph Nader in charge for a while so we can get beyond the petty bickering in Washington between the haves and the haves.

Jim Van Sant

Ashcroft’s misguided mission

01/13/01

I think Democrats should strongly oppose Ashcroft, not on the basis of his ideology but rather his dishonesty. There is an ample body of evidence that he distorted the record of Ronnie White, probably not out of some racial bias (although his association with Bob Jones University gives me pause) but some political mission to show he is “tough on crime.” He has a long list of other ethical lapses and a proven track record of being untrustworthy.

Ashcroft will be confirmed by the Senate and the Democrats should rejoice; his extreme views on a wide range of topics will become more clear, and it will become more likely the Democrats will retake not only the Senate but the House as well, thereby keeping the new administration more in check.

Paul S. Miller
Webster, NY