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Re: At a loss for words, July 6.
I applaud the author's concern regarding the degradation of language skills in America's youth. Yet even she is not immune to the amorphous nature of our language. On five separate occasions, she misuses the word "theory." A theory is not some idea conjured up by an individual. Rather, it is a scientific hypothesis that has been so rigorously and repeatedly tested that it is considered to be scientific fact.
The author is absolutely correct when she writes about the lack of parental guidance in learning language skills. We teach our children that "respect" means fear or submission, when in fact it is about admiration that has been earned. We teach them that "discipline" means punishment, when it's really about learning personal responsibility. Only a hundred years ago, we used the word "terrific" to describe something very bad. Terror, terrible and terrifying all come from the same root. Even our dictionaries accommodate these misuses by adding contradictory definitions to words.
Yes, English is a living language. But when we change the meaning of words, we should at least replace them with equally meaningful new words. Well developed communication skills are essential to nearly every aspect of life. Losing the ability to effectively express ourselves in a complex world is truly a terrific thought.
It is interesting to revisit Christie Whitman's July 3 column, Greens just keep on singing the blues, in light of last Sunday's front page report, Bending the rules at Piney Point: A $140-million mess.
Since Whitman is in such a self-aggrandizing mood, she should also take credit for this mess in Florida as well as thousands of similar sites throughout the United States. I for one disagree with her cavalier assessment of what Richard Nixon instituted 33 years ago. Removing the environment from the auspices of public health and safety and placing the management and enforcement of same in a politicized environmental protection agency was a grave error. One cannot separate the environment from public health and safety no matter how hard we try. It has been 33 years of compromise, intimidation, cajoling, browbeating, and just flat misleading the public on matters regarding the environment and the impacts on public health and safety.
The human race is not separate from but is an integral part of the environment. We should design our works for it, not against it. The public pays for it in more than just words and dollars. Time and space are both running out. We cannot afford to keep supporting an environmental management thesis operating under a political thumb. It is time to "walk the talk," or as I overheard at a heated public hearing years ago, "the proof of the pudding is in the eating."
Re: GOP nerves rattling as re-election nears, July 6.
This column was very informative. I definitely agree with your statement that, despite George Bush's high approval ratings, he is vulnerable!
President Bush's father's approval ratings were high too, and his father lost his bid for re-election. The American people are fickle in polls, but when it's time for the election, they tend to be a little more serious than when polled.
You mention how this president is making plenty of his own mistakes. There's high unemployment (highest in nine years) and the messy war situation with Iraq, along with not paying enough attention to the sinking economy! The weapons of mass destruction are still among the missing, as well as Saddam Hussein.
As to your mention of the Democrats, they will have a difficult time putting forth a solid challenger with their present large field of weak candidates.
Perhaps an Independent will emerge and challenge the field of candidates for president! That's a pleasant thought for the Independent voter, such as myself!
Re: Democrat laces up a liberal exterior, by Adam Smith, July 6.
For months I've been following the campaign of presidential aspirant Howard Dean. I've listened to TV reports and pundits and I've read numerous newspaper and magazine articles from everywhere on the political spectrum. None of these sources seemed to really "get it."
Now, finally, Adam Smith from our very own hometown newspaper has written a fair, balanced and well-researched appraisal of this interesting, intelligent and multifaceted candidate.
I'm convinced now, more than ever, that Dr. Dean could provide just the right medicine for what ails our beautiful but troubled and divided country.
Nancy Hoppe, Largo
Re: Graham aims for poll position, July 4.
The decision by the Bob Graham campaign to sponsor a race truck is a perfect metaphor for the political process: It makes a lot of noise, consumes a vast amount of resources and by going around in circles finishes exactly where it started, having accomplished nothing. Just like a politician.
Re: Maine leads the way toward universal access to health care, July 6.
Reading columnist Ellen Goodman's story of the governor of Maine father's question to his son after a day of lawmaking - "What have you done for the people today?" - brings back memories of conversations I had with my uncle more than 40 years ago when he was a legislator in the neighboring state of New Hampshire.
He would tell me how disappointing it was that there were not more individuals in his state legislature to represent the "common people." Today the federal and state legislatures seem to have drifted even further away from representing the interests of the "common people."
One can only hope that Gov. John Baldacci is right in his prediction: "Maine may be the first state but not the last" in leading the way toward universal access to health care.
If there is a trend to follow his lead in his state, a majority of the people perhaps will benefit more from the material wealth and richness of this great nation of theirs in the not so distant future.
Re: Please don't terminate this series, by Bill Maxwell, July 6.
I'm happy to learn that Bill Maxwell likes the Terminator series. Unfortunately he couldn't seem to stick to commenting on the movies and had to vent a bit about certain Hollywood performers who don't share his same liberal leanings. In doing so he exhibited a lack of knowledge that seems to permeate much of the liberal press nowadays.
He made a statement to the effect that Arnold Schwarzenegger may have designs on the White House. In making this statement he displays a certain lack of knowledge about the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits anyone who is not a natural born citizen of the United States from ever being president. Schwarzenegger was born in Austria and is a "naturalized" citizen. Therefore he can never be president unless the Constitution is changed. Why is it the liberal press can go on and on about protecting the Constitution, but quite often doesn't know what it says?
Re: Signals from nowhere: the demise of local radio, June 29.
I really enjoyed this article. I agree with everything written by Walter Kim. Ever since big corporations like Clear Channel took over radio, it hasn't been the same. As a matter of fact, I hardly ever listen to local radio anymore. I'm just about ready to invest in satellite radio. Also, thanks for showing those two vintage pictures from WTSP (1380 AM). That radio station eventually became one of my favorites, a Top-40 powerhouse called WLCY (1959-1981).