Learn from the Greens
Re: “German Greens’ Changing Colors”
12/04/01

We should all be learning from the German Greens. They saw that the greater immediate danger to world peace and security, not to mention Afghanistan’s future, was the fascism of Al Qaeda. They are now in a better position to help hold back the wider war and right-wing clique in this country. American progressives should be so lucky as to have a party like theirs.

Carl Davidson

It’s about pork, not just pigs
Re: “The Next Pig Thing”
12/03/01

I think that the issue is pork chops, not genetically engineered pigs. If this helps reduce the phosphorous entering the environment, then it’s a good idea. But how is the gene going to be introduced into the highly competitive genetic pool of swine lines? I can not believe these people will dilute their gene pool to introduce the phosphorus gene.

Where does the phosphorus go? Into the swine tissue? Will it not then end up in slaughter house refuse (pet food) and human wastes? I don’t know, do your concerned scientists?

Eddie Parsons

A few words on the stimulus package
Re: “The Stimulus Scam”
12/03/01

What does Armey mean when he says extending unemployment insurance is not “commensurate with the American spirit”? Is he saying it’s unpatriotic to be laid off and need money to pay bills and not get evicted? What does that mean?

I was laid off because of the attack. No, I do not work for the airlines or in New York City. I work in the television industry. There is no way you can pay rent on unemployment claims. There is no affordable housing in southern California. All unemployment does is help pay for food.

What Armey seems to be saying is people who lose their jobs are not with the program — the “American spirit” of corporate control. Who do these corporations think is going to buy their medicine, insurance, toys and crappy products if not we schmucks who work for a living?

Katherine Walker

Re: “The Stimulus Scam”
12/05/01

Prior to the Sept. 11th attacks, writers James Templeton and Warren Buffet predicted the beginnings of an economic downturn that will grip the world. Both of these men made the point that the bubble that has burst will put the world in a downturn/depression unlike anything the world has ever seen. The points were made that it will be longer, deeper and more perverse than any preceding calamity. Mr. Buffet says that this coming depression will make the Great Depression look like a day in the park.

Of course nobody is bothering to bring up any of these points since, after all, we’ve got some serious ass to kick. And, let’s not forget to wave the flag, buy a Chevrolet, and curse the enemy!

The causes of the problems this nation sees can be laid at the feet of the capitalists that have their boot on the necks of American workforce. If they all go belly up and die of starvation tomorrow, they can be replaced by other greedy capitalists that aren’t so damned mean spirited.

This economy will not be stimulated. The bubble was built upon corporate spending to improve infrastructure/software requirements in a new technology. Now that we have excess capacity out the whazoo for everything from soup to nuts, don’t look for the companies of the nation to spend us out of this mess with new equipment purchases. Our industrial production has contracted for 13 consecutive months and no more capacity is needed. Individual bankruptcies are still at all time highs. You do the math.

Richard A. Porterfield

Re: “The Stimulus Scam”
12/04/01

I propose a general strike: We all walk, beginning this weekend, and do not work until there is disarmament in the current war regions. We demand all economic relief be given to people who demonstrate need, like you would for a college grant application, not to the fictional bodies of corporations. Add to that a complete halt to all armed conflict and the destruction of all arms sold or manufactured by our nation. That would be two great starts.

Corbin Supak

Re: “The Stimulus Scam”
12/02/01

I think this bill is a travesty. I personally contacted my Congressman in the House via e-mail and telephone. However, despite my urgings to vote “no” on this bill, Congressman Boehlert voted for it anyway. He did say that the bill was flawed, but that these flaws will be resolved in the Senate. Hogwash! Until the common man and woman decide that it is in their best interest to fight for their rights, nothing will change. Voter turnout is in a horrific state, and as a result, our politicians are beholden to fewer and fewer of us in the electorate. I do have hope for the future, but I sincerely doubt that President Bush will fix all of the problems in the economic stimulus [for corporations] bill.

Mandy U. Wright

What’s after Afghanistan?
Re: “On to Iraq?”
12/02/01

So a British guy who flew in the Gulf War, and has since written an unsurprisingly prescient novel is suddenly an “expert” on US policy? Maybe Pearson needs to pay attention to the real reaction in Europe and the rest of the world. As uncomfortable as non-Americans may be at yet another awesome display of US military capability – this time coupled with deadly resolve – they can’t help but beg to be part of the show. After all, when the biggest boy on the block is rewriting the rules of the land, you better have been on board when he’s running the world.

Mike Sterling

Re: “On to Iraq?”
12/01/01

The article was so devoid of accurate intelligence it was not worth printing. Being a pilot and writing a novel are not genuine credentials for foreign policy analysis.

Michael Hammond

Re: “On to Iraq?”
12/01/01

Pearson is absolutely right about his predictions of Bush and his probable attack on Iraq when Afganistan is wrapped up. It’s not like we want territory or dominion over anyone. We just want to stamp out these idiots that will ultimately attack these countries that won’t get with the program right now.

Craig Speed

Re: “On to Iraq?”
11/30/01

I’ve got to say that this article ignored a simple fact and a not-so-simple fact. Firstly, conservatives are not the only ones asking for Iraq to be overthrown. While it’s true that the Europeans don’t want to us to strike Iraq, it should be noted that they’re not the ones who were attacked.

Honestly, I can appreciate the novelist’s worries in the article. The problem with the current situation we’re in is that we don’t have much choice. Clinton ignored the whole issue during his presidency, and as a direct result, we have this attack. If we neglect to topple Saddam, then what’s going to happen is more of what has happened over the past few years. And I do believe it will culminate in the detonation of a nuclear weapon in America.

Ted Southard