CapeCodToday Blog Chowder

Way to go, Mary W! Seeing who can kill the most people is an infantile and wasteful way to settle disputes, to be eliminated, not glorified. I'm both saddened and angered to see such carnage continue, and spent Memorial Day holding peace signs over a Route 6 bridge. Mary Z

Solon, That's an awfully glib response to the killing of generations of Japanese (the sickness and death isn't over). Most of those who were obliterated unnecessarily (aye, that's the rub) did not start the horrid war, any more than the citizens of this "democracy" agreed to drop the bomb. I subscribe to the belief that this was the opening salvo in the Cold War, aimed at the USSR at Hiroshima's and Nagasaki's expense. In my view, all wars are horrid.

For awhile I wondered how the "conversation" moved from a Department of Defense brochure to porn, gay men, nude beaches. Then it dawned on me: barracks and locker rooms; don't ask, don't tell = homoeroticism among "straighties."

During an early morning walk (critter count: two chipmunks, numerous birds & bunnies, and three dogs, who welcomed my fond attention), I reflected on the tenor of some of the comments presumably inspired by my article on dissent. A description of a character in "White Doves at Morning," a Civil War era novel by James Lee Burke, came to mind: "He was captive to the world others created for him."

Wouldn't it be loverly if this self-regarded smartest of species worked to forge a new world a century and a half later.

Ah, Solon, when all else fails, fall back on red-baiting and presuming to know what and how I think. Over and out!

Solon, We have very different views about the accumulated injustices down the generations, stemming from original ones. It's presumptuous of you to assume I'm projecting my own "guilt complex" and I find it ironic that you speak for the Navajos in saying that "the last thing they really want is a white speaking for them." But then, since I don't know you, perhaps I'm projecting my whiteness on you. Zep

Mons, Say more about Van Zandt. capemom, I wonder whether the political atmosphere that name-calling creates, in place of informed disagreement, is one of the reasons Vermonters want to go their own way.

Thanks, Monponsett, for contributing historical memor. Reagan didn’t simply flash his goofy grin and charm the hostages home in the early minutes of his presidency. They were hostage to the Republican pre-election maneuverings as well to their Iranian captors. It appears that pointing out uncomforable truths means to Jack that one’s head is in a dark place. So much for an adult dialogue.

It’s a sad and telling commentary on the state of political discourse that ad hominem sound bites predominate. As for my country right or wrong, there have been many things made right, largely due to citizen movements seeking public policies and laws that realize our “very right” founding ideals, principles and promises.

Mons described the plan, let's impeach the Man! The US began losing in Iraq as soon as it invaded based on lies: that Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden were allies rather than enemies; and that the former had the fabled WMDs. Even General Colin Powell has disavowed his repetition of the WMD lie before the UN General Assembly. It is obscene to use the 9/11/01 attack as an excuse to gain a greater foothold in a Middle East that top US policy-makers don’t understand – and to enrich private US contractors who have squandered countless US $$ through fraud and incompetence.

From the 1/30 NYT, this illustrates the convoluted game-playing of US (and others’) foreign policy: “The Saudi-Iranian efforts have put Washington in an awkward position, since it is trying to reduce Iran’s regional influence. But since a stable Lebanon is also an American priority, American officials have watched the efforts without interfering.”

Human lives do not belong sacrificed to macho board games!

I won’t try to improve on Mons. It did occur to me that these postings illustrate the difference between the Decaturists and the Schurzites. Stephen Decatur, when honored as a naval hero of the War of 1812, raised a toast to “My country, right or wrong.” Later in the century, German immigrant, Civil War general and reformer Carl Schurz amended this ringing declaration to: “My country, right or wrong; when right, keep it right, when wrong, set it right.” Speaking of history, we would all do well to remember (or learn) that the US engineered the overthrow of Mohammmad Mosadegh, a democratically elected leader in Iran in 1953, and re-installed the Shah, and later cozied up to Saddam Hussein when it suited “our” purposes. As for the numbers game, how about the 70% opposing Bush's war?

Sexual cheating seems to me small potatoes compared to lying in order to invade another country, causing tens of thousands of deaths, even more injuries – and in their wake, broken lives and families, the further erosion of constitutional governance, private contractor fraud, and the loss of billions of dollars for social needs.

Goodness gracious me, if that Tarquin guy think it's a nice picture, I surely would not care to see him in person. In any case, I didn't put it there, thus deserve neither credit nor blame.

Thanks to News-gal, I looked up Cassandra in my ”WomanWords,” and imagine my surprise to find that the name meant “she who entangles men.” Never mind that she helped the Trojans avoid disaster, she only earned respect after her death. She was worshiped in Laconia as Alexandra, which means “helper of men.” Nonetheless, Cassandra “symbolizes a patriarchal refusal to trust in the words of women.”

Roses to Peter Porcupine, though I must admit to occasional bouts of complaining. To those who need to retake Reading Comprehension 10, I didn't deny the gravity of the crime, dis the victim, or obsess over her sex life, or the trial itself: my point. My patriarchal Webster's defines murky as “dark or gloomy; heavy and obscure with smoke, mist, etc.” Quack, quack!

Seems that several comments referred to race and only one to class. The myth of "the classless society” lives!

Thanks to News-gal, I looked up Cassandra in my ”WomanWords,” and imagine my surprise to find that the name meant “she who entangles men.” Never mind that she helped the Trojans avoid disaster, she only earned respect after her death. She was worshiped in Laconia as Alexandra, which means “helper of men.” Nonetheless, Cassandra “symbolizes a patriarchal refusal to trust in the words of women.”

Roses to Peter Porcupine, though I must admit to occasional bouts of complaining. To those who need to retake Reading Comprehension 10, I didn't deny the gravity of the crime, dis the victim, or obsess over her sex life, or the trial itself: my point. My patriarchal Webster's defines murky as “dark or gloomy; heavy and obscure with smoke, mist, etc.” Quack, quack!

Seems that several comments referred to race and only one to class. The myth of "the classless society” lives!

Molly Ivins would be the first to point out that columnists, by definition, write their opinions, which hardly disqualifies her from being a journalist. Eric Alterman, media columnist for The Nation, poses the question: "Wouldn't most papers be immediately improved by dropping their editorial page and increasing the ideological range and informational expertise of their contribution columnists?" Hmmm....

capemom, It's refreshing to read a substantive comment. I agree with much of what you wrote. As for the pendulum swing, I would settle for respect and equity in gender relations, for both women and men. I have known very few women, when asked, who would change places with men and the hand they're dealt. However, none want to be battered or raped. In any case, KMA, I'm glad you're satisfied with your lot.

Interesting that none of the comments addressed the issues in Bob Herbert's op-ed. Methinks thou doth protest too cutely.

Yes, and it's possible that a sailboat loaded with plastic explosives could come up the Bass River and blow the pleasure-seekers out of the water. But what about the unprotected chemical and nuclear plants, and ports? Some further questions: what is "reasonable"? why not notify local and state public officials? And the big one: who defines terrorism and who employs it?

I learned about Gerry Studds' death this afternoon at a campaign event for Cleon Turner, when Gerry's' successor, Bill Delahunt, asked for a moment of silence for him. I was proud to have him as my congressman, and well remember his independence, consistency, and good humor. Gerry Studds has long been on the guest list for my imaginary ideal dinner party!

Jack, guess your visceral loathing is my dissing. As for the quote at issue, my source was Katha Pollitt from her column in the September 25 issue of The Nation, as follows: "addressing veterans at an American Legion convention in Salt Lake City, President Bush referenced both fascism and communism and described "the war we fight today" as the decisive ideological struggle of the twenty-first century." I'll strive to quote more accurately and suggest that you stop telling me how I feel.

Katha Pollitt is my favorite political writer, which I'm guessing puts her in the May Day parade as well. It's rare these days that I hear red-baiting, except for an occasional guy leaning out of his car yelling at a peace vigil. At least "Go back to Russia!" is now accurate geolitically (I was never told to "Go back to the Soviet Union!").

I'm sorry you weren't at the blog party, as I was looking forward to meeting you and having a real conversation, as I did with others holding views different from mine. I'm on my way out town, so the last word is yours if you like.

In the context of labeling, Jack, your comment is not only a DIStinction without a difference, but actually illustrates the either/or, us/them nature of what currently passes for DIScourse from the White House.

As for your presumptuous pronouncement of my “visceral loathing” of George Bush, were you to ask, I would have told you that my attitude about Himself is one of DISSING. It varies, depending on the particular circumstance, from DISagreement, DISapproval, DIStrust, and DISdain to a profound wish for his DISmissal!

And should "Commander-in-Chief" send me all aflutter?

Buy Citgo!

An article in The Virginian-Pilot described a group founded in 2002, calling themselves Freethinkers and Atheists of Virginia. Presumbly John Danforth would deplore the statement to one of them: "It's a Christian nation–if you don't like it why don't you just leave." (a variation of which I've been told often).

A recent national survey by University of Minnesota scholars found that respondents rank atheists below gay men and lesbians, recent immigrants, Muslims and other minorities in "sharing their vision of American society." Heaven forfend!

In Robert Parker’s newly published Blue Screen, sports representative Boomer Nicholson says to Private Detective Sunny Randall, “I don’t know how women’s lib you mighty be, Sunny, but tte truth of the matter is, no matter how you f.....g slice it, the best men beat the best women in nearly all sports endeavors.”

Be that as it probably is, equality isn’t about sameness but about opportunity; witness the enormous growth of women’s sports since Title IX was passed. In any case, I’m more interested in access to public office. The recent death of endocrinologist and feminist Estelle Ramey reminded me of an administration official in the 1970s who worried about the effect of hormones on the ability of a woman president to deal with a crisis. Dr. Ramey drew herself up to her full but not impressive height and and tartly replied, “My Great Aunt Tillie in her most menopausal moment could have made a better decision than the Bay of Pigs!”

Indeed, "election results, more than anything else, must reflect the truth." Would that Secretaries of State Katherine Harris and Kenneth Blackwell had subscribed to this view.

At last! If my computer skills were as well honed as my opinions, I would have hopped on earlier. Lest there be any doubt, I am more interested in a candidate's political position than her/his gender. Nor, in the category of reading comprehension 101, did I disparage anyone. As for the blogger who equated Democrats & testonerone, we must live in a parallel political universe. However, I have long pondered what the world would be like if there were an antidote to the testosterone poisoning so virulent in today's world.

McFly, be assured that I do not "depend" on the NYT editorial staff or any other one news outlook, mainstream or otherwise. I simply found the Mt. Sinai study and the words of the administration's coordinator for 9/11 health effects worthy of note amidst the many commemorations for the victims. Live responders are among them, and to my way of thinking are in the same category as military veterans: they deserve not only thanks but health care as needed, for life if necessary.

Jack, gratitude for sacrifice is one thing, but in this instance I equate it with "cheap grace" if it isn't accompanied by societal responsibility for its medical consequences -- whether civilian worker or military veteran. It's not up to me to decide where the victim line is drawn but if reporters are included you won't find me objecting. As for fault, if you can wring compensation from al Qaeda for its victims, go to it!

Jack, Do you really believe I referred to the responders – the ones who were experiencing the toxic effects of their rescue efforts– as not taking their own symptoms seriously? Surely, as a journalist, you are aware of early and numerous reports of threats to the health of those exposed to the building's remains, as well as the reported concerns about insufficient attention on the part of public health and governmental officials.

As for my reference to victims, isn't it clear to you that I feel accountable, as a citizen of this country, for attention – or lack thereof – to the needs of those who responded to the attack?

I can but wonder whether your reading skills are rusty or you are stretching to pick a fight. In any case, my time and computer skills are limited, so I shall not again crawl through myriad postings to respond to you on this one.

And please let us also remember the tens of thousands of Iraqi dead, wounded and displaced since March 2003, including children, having had the misfortune to live in a country that the Bush administration mistakenly or mendaciously charged with having weapons of mass destruction and a non-existent link with Al Qaeda.

McFly, what the editorial in the 9/6 issue of the New York Times reported was that so far none of the $52 million (paltry as the sum is in today's health care "market") has reached a real patient. Indeed, those you name presumably have health insurance, but whether it is adequate vis-a-vis the chronic needs is unclear. However, the exact number of helpers is unknown, but it includes neighborhood volunteers, communications workers from Chicago, rescuers from CA and elsewhere around the country. You can find more details by contacting the Mount Sinai Medical Center in NYC, source of the latest such survey. Zep

Thank you, Opinionator, for a poignant reminder of my own freshman year and my faither's strong support (also from three hours distance) during a first semester of terrible homesickness.

I don't buy an analogy in the speech between workers dependent on their employer and and speech in one's home. Both are considered "private" property (though corporate charters were originallly under public control through charters with teeth in them). However, be assured, Jack that I wouldn't toss you out were you to express in my house opinionsI disagreed with. Not incidentally, the ACLU protects, not opposes, the free speech rights of corporations, including their role in our electoral process.

Jack, Freedom of speech is a sometime thing; for instance, corporations were given it by the Supreme Court and workers lose it on entering corporate property. I've already agreed that freedom of expression to protest is a necessary component of democracy -- necessary but not sufficient, and therein lies a complex tale with much room for disagreement. More anon. Mary

It was one of the stops on the Cape made by Carlos and Melida Arrondondo. They are mourning their son Alex's death in Iraq by joining those who believe that the US occupation is fueling rather than quelling the growing insurgency and sectarian violence in Iraq -- as well as the continued deterioration of world opinion toward this country.

Whew! The author is tickled pink – Code Pink, that is – at stimulating such a prolific response to the posting and title she stands by.

Speechifying before a kindly disposed audience is a lot easier (and no doubt more fun) than making intelligent, effective and humane policy decisions -- based on truth. Bush finally admitted at his 8/21 press conference, when asked what Iraq had to do with September 11th: "Nothing."

Cheers to the heroic folks at the MSPCA! I'll put Sept. 10 on my calendar and hope to see you there. My cats (two and a half, including once recluse) will be there in spirit,; two of them are feral rescues. For a great animal fix, visit www.bestfriends.org, the organization that took the lead in the rescue of thousands of animals in and around New Orleans -- had people rescuing other people only been as creative and as unmindful of the bureacracy....!

A central principle of the women's movement, as I have understood it for 35 years, is support for the widest range of life choices and patterns for both women and men. Key words are support and choices, and this certainly must include respect for women who "hated it," didn't participate, and were economically able to make the choice to work as a wife and mother -- as well as the growing number of men who share or perform alone the homemaking role.

Sounds like a fair exchange. I'm glad you're not sad, Monponsett, and thanks for more information. My dad used to take me fishing in backwoods cricks, and every summer he brought black bass home to Ohio from a fishin' trip to Canada with the guys.

Monponsett, You made a choice regarding both husband and big ugly fish, apparently sadly. Zep

Dick, Regarding free speech, as long as the corporate form has free speech and other court-conferred constitutional rights, we citizens are often drowned out, especially in election campaigns, with the Supreme Court having decreed that money=speech. And surely you can find another issue after lo these many months on which to disagree with Cleon Turner than immigrant education (remember that it does not include free tuition). Check with CCCC president Kathleen Schatzberg for accurate information.