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GLOBE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR |
A WEEK OF GLOBE LETTERS
Many challenges strain parents of autistic kids
"I have huddled in the coat closet with my daughter, both figuratively and literally, while caring for her. I hang on through writing, advocacy, and love." -- Nicole Levy
Twisted take on holiday is nothing to celebrate
RE “ HAVE yourself a twisted little Christmas ’’ by Clif Garboden (Op-ed, Dec. 24): “Making fun of things other people . . . hold dear,’’ “monster,’’ “desecrate,’’ “axe-wielding,’’ “dismembered,’’ “blood-dripping,’’ “mutate,’’ “scaring,’’ “travesty,’’ “disrespect’’ - these are the words of a sociopath.
Why does this wonderful time come with a letdown?
"We might discover that deeper in our subconscious are the clues to decelerating the pace of life between Thanksgiving and Christmas. And maybe those ideas could translate into a more peaceful life the rest of the year." -- Rich Moniak
Distorted diatribe against Pakistan
PRESENTING YOUR readers with an op-ed by Kapil Komireddi (“ The problem of Pakistan ,’’ Dec. 23), whose bias against Pakistan is well established, is your own judgment. Nevertheless, it amounts to a diatribe against a country that has remained embroiled in a state of war for two of the last three decades by leading and sacrificing as a frontline ...
Too late to be cheered by surplus of flu shots
IT’S FRUSTRATING to learn that there is an excess of H1N1 flu vaccine now available (“ Abruptly, a surplus of shots for H1N1 ,’’ Metro, Dec. 16). All fall we watched the public service announcements on TV professing the importance of getting the vaccine, even though it was not available to most of the general public. Meanwhile, my mother-in-law in ...
UMass purchase ensures better future
AS AN alumnus of University of Massachusetts Boston, I am pleased to endorse the very smart purchase of the Bayside Expo Center for future growth and development of its very dynamic campus. These 20-plus acres on Columbia Point will relieve overcrowded facilities and give the university the opportunity to plan a more ambitious future for the university, which will benefit ...
Guns, teachers, and self-defense
I AM a math teacher at Brockton High School, the site of a school shooting earlier this month.
Hypocrisy flies
"We've got our own 'bridge to nowhere' with GE's backup engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter -- a costly and useless defense budget item that the Pentagon doesn't want." -- Paul Wesel
Mass. pork with wings
TALK ABOUT throwing money we don’t have down a rat hole (“ Mass. push saves costly engine plan ’’ (Dec. 23, Page A1).
No gratitude as doctors take risks to save children
IT’S A wonder how much doctors have to put up with (“ Jury ties doctors’ errors to boy’s death ,’’ Dec. 19, Page A1). These doctors now have to pay enormous damages for attempting a risky procedure to try to save a boy whose numerous past procedures could not save. In fact, no one’s even sure where the metal floating ...
Galluccio, lay off the toothpaste?
"If his defense team is so knowledgeable about this, it’s too bad they didn’t think ahead and warn him not to use oral care products that contain any alcohol." -- Tim Hinde
How about necessary jobs?
I SEE from the Dec. 23 front page we got Congress to approve funding to build fighter plane engines at GE in Lynn to save jobs here in Massachusetts, even though the Pentagon says it doesn’t need them. Then, there’s an oped about finally building high-speed rail lines here in the United States (“ High-speed rail a clean win for ...
Petty politics
I DON’T like Scott Brown. In October 2004, Brown refused to debate Angus McQuilken at an event cosponsored by the Plainville Democratic Town Committee, of which I was chair, and the North Attleborough Republican Town Committee. After Brown’s continued refusals - even to members of his own party - McQuilken was told he would address the audience alone.
Won't be able to fix the broken bill later
RE: “ HEALTH bill is a step forward, so pass it now and fix it later ’’ (editorial, Dec. 22). The Senate bill would do more harm than good. Its salutary provisions are outweighed by those that reinforce insurers’ stranglehold on care. If you dislike your current employer-sponsored coverage, you’ll have to keep it. The uninsured will have to pay ...
Asleep at the wheel
IS IT too much to imagine the MBTA would practice for what to do in case of a breakdown? Tuesday there was bus service replacing the Red Line between Harvard and Alewife. I watched the dispatcher at Davis give the bus driver directions to get to Alewife. Wouldn’t you think they would have drivers trained what to do in situations ...
Citizen soldiers live to defend Jewish homeland
"As opposed to American high school students like me who dream of joining the Ivy League, Israeli high school students dream of commanding elite army units that defend their Jewish homeland." -- Joshua Pitkoff
Heinz Kerry’s help
"Teresa Heinz Kerry is a leader in dealing with pollution at home - for example, from estrogen-mimics we unknowingly buy at the store in hair products, lotions, plastics, cleaners and such." -- Julia Brody
Bread, butter issues
RECENTLY my family received a visit from US Senate candidate Scott Brown as part of his “kitchen table’’ talks. As an “unenrolled’’ voter concerned about issues (not party affiliation) and after meeting Brown and knowing where he stands on the issues, I believe that he is the candidate who truly understands how the economy is affecting families across the state. ...
A Jew’s home, among the ruins
THE ARCHEOLOGICAL find in Nazareth of what could be the Jewish village where Jesus grew up (“ Ruins may be from era of Jesus ,’’ Page A4, Dec. 22) is further evidence, if any is needed, of the presence of Jews in the land of Israel/Palestine for well more than 2,000 years.
Galvin stumping on our dime
"Is it just me or does anyone else get the impression Secretary of State Galvin is running for attorney general and the Commonwealth is footing the bill for his ad campaign?" -- James P. Pehl
The silent helper
RE: “ POPE moves pair closer to sainthood ’’ (Dec. 20, Page A7). Despite efforts to cast a dark shadow over Pope Pius XII’s good character, it is irrefutable that Pius II and the Catholic Church saved more Jews in Europe in World War II than any other party, except the Allied liberating armies. He often acted secretly and silently ...
Childless, but still in need
"Just because I am a single woman who didn't make a life choice to pop out babies and throw myself on the mercy of the state doesn't mean my situation is any less dire." -- June Schwartz
Let there be light, let all be bright
JAMES CARROLL is among the valuable few in the commentary business who identify the ancient roots of current controversies and modern traditions and suggest that following the evolution from root to bloom can be instructive. The latest example is his attempt to point out that much of the religious ritual that occurs this time of year is connected with the ...
Rail cash essential to a renaissance
"It is absolutely essential that New England develop its transportation infrastructure to spur further integration with the mid-Atlantic states, as well as Canada's maritime provinces." -- Matt Richard
Why fight C02?
HERE’S WHAT I am telling my representatives in Congress: 1. The rush to label CO2 as a pollutant or pass cap-and-trade legislation will hurt our nation’s economic recovery.
Big business? Just us dogs here
AS FENWAY Bark’s president, I must respond to Meghan Irons’s article “ Dog hotel plan draws howls of protest ’’ (Dec. 12, Metro, B1). Fenway Bark was positioned as akin to “big business’’ and nothing could be further from the truth.
The wrong note
I FEEL compelled to respond to the Dec. 18 article about my colleague Sharon Daniels (“ BU website embellished biography of opera director ’’ (Page A1).
What got done?
Most environmentalists didn’t expect world leaders to get anything critically important done in Copenhagen. It’s not about obscene amounts of money being sent to poorer nations from richer nations, it’s about eradicating the worst polluters immediately. Zero in on the filthy emitters and phase them out. Are you worried, Mr. Coal? You should be. Coal is the worst polluter on ...
Inertia for change
"President Obama calling the climate deal a 'meaningful and unprecedented breakthrough' to control climate change seems a bit much when only a few days ago we read the polar ice caps might melt in just a few years." -- Sharon Reidy
Beat the scalpers
THERE IS an obvious solution to the problem of ticket scalping. Tickets should have the names of the holders printed on them when issued, and holders should be required to show matching valid identification to gain admittance. Families and groups could be under one name as long as the purchaser is present with ID. So with the minor inconvenience of ...
In league with anti-Semites
THE MUSLIM American community’s effort to maintain an open dialogue with US government officials to strengthen our shared goal of security for all citizens is admirable. However, praising organizations like the Council on American-Islamic Relations ignores their historical links to Hamas and their pattern of offering platforms to conspiratorial Israel-bashers and anti-Semites (“ Terrorism: Muslim families as first line of ...
Hare’s due arrives
"The Boston Parks and Recreation Department does provide a ribbon as a consolation prize to the hare after losing its race with the tortoise." -- Antonia M. Pollak
Teacher as enabler
AS KARA Miller reports , a student told her: “I’ll do better. I know I’ve gotten behind this semester, but I’m going to turn things around. Would it be OK if I finished all my uncompleted work by Monday?’’ And her reply? “Yes. But it’s important that you catch up completely this weekend, so that you’re not just perpetually behind.’’ ...
Learning can be taught
"Students go to school not only to learn a subject, but to learn how to learn." -- Jeff Waters
The Asian model
THE FACT that many American college students lack the basics is the end result of the inadequacies in our public education system and misplaced family priorities. In China, for example: 1) they wear uniforms in class, 2) there is no tenure - jobs are based on merit, and 3) there are no teachers unions and politicians relying on union campaign ...
Support catch shares
WE APPLAUD your editorial on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s new policy to transform America’s fisheries from chronic crisis management to lasting sustainability (“ New fishing plan offers success ,’’ Dec. 15).
A seat - hallelujah
THE PHOTO accompanying Matthew Guerrieri’s article on the tradition of standing for Handel’s “ Hallelujah Chorus ’’ (“g,’’ Dec. 19) says it all. Those seated seem disgruntled at having their view blocked. Those standing seem curiously solemn, not celebratory. And besides: Are we royalists? Is standing at this moment truly spontaneous? And where is the line between heartfelt praise (a ...
The cold shoulder
CONGRATULATIONS TO the mayor for making tickets available to skate at Fenway Park. Arriving at Copley Square just after 7 and waiting in the frigid cold with fellow Bostonians was a moment of solidarity. Until we were informed of a technicality: Residents needed a driver’s license featuring a Boston address.
Try it yourself
"If anyone considering wearing fur had to personally take the scared, struggling animals from their cages on a fur farm and apply the electrocution device or snap their necks, fur fashion would quickly lose its appeal." -- Evelyn Kimber
No, animal cruelty is not in vogue
IN RESPONSE to Joanna Weiss’s appalling defense of slaughtering defenseless rabbits and other innocent animals to provide an extra warm layer of apparel to women who don’t need it, I would suggest that there are indeed many of us who object to this practice ( “The plight of the green fashionista,’’ oped, Dec. 19). Just in time for the Christmas ...
Night of the living malapropism
RE: “GOD, NO; Zombies, maybe’’ (Ideas, Dec. 20). The term “zombie’’ has a very specific meaning in philosophy that has nothing to do with the brain-eating undead in George Romero movies. Either Christopher Shea is ignorant of his subject matter, or his commitment to being cute outweighs his commitment to informing his readers. May I suggest Google ? While there ...
Something fishy
"If merchants get their way and persuade Congress to regulate their share, consumers will pay more." -- Shawn Miles
Credit union ache
“TAKING A swipe at card processing fees’’ failed to mention the myriad benefits that merchants receive by accepting credit cards, and how proposed legislation would hurt consumers and credit unions like mine.
Ed reform for all
THE LEGISLATURE is racing to meet a deadline to act on a bill that is essential to our state’s chance to secure at least $250 million in federal funds under the Race to the Top competition. Yet the current bill has virtually eliminated provisions that could deliver real change to schools in need. To turn around underperforming schools, school leaders ...
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