Questions are ignored
Wednesday, May 28, 2008 11:32 PM PDT
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Questions are ignored
After sending food to pacify an angry North Korea, George W. Bush accused Barack Obama of being an “appeaser” like those who appeased Adolph Hitler (Daily News, May 16).
Bush’s babbling of appeasement must remind him of his own grandfather, Prescott Bush, who made the Bush family wealthy by unethically dealing with Hitler before the war.
The truth is, after all these years, we know very little about the devious dealings of the Bush family and Dick Cheney. But we’re reminded of every word by Obama, his wife and his infamous pastor.
Some obvious questions are hardly discussed: Was 9-11 allowed to happen? Why is Osama bin Laden not being pursued? Is our society disintegrating? Are we really in what Virginia Sen. Jim Webb calls “a profound crisis”?
Meanwhile, Bush and Cheney do nothing, as our debt has doubled, we’re now owned by foreign banks, the stock market is on the edge, we’re bleeding $9 billion a month in Iraq and food, oil, gas and gold prices are rising.
One wonders, how could all this happen in just seven short years? Is it pure incompetency? Accidental? Or, could it be planned for us to financially collapse into what Bush Sr. calls a “new world order”?
Bill Kasch
Longview
Theater reflects real life
In response to Donna J. Davis’ May 23 letter regarding LCC Center Stage’s current production of “Rep” by Greg Atkins, I wish to offer some clarification.
To begin with, the title is short for “repertory,” a style of theater in which a resident company presents a series of works in alternating sequence.
As for Davis’ complaints about the “near nudity,” “crude language,” “filthy full-body sexual gestures” and other “embarrassing” content in the play, I feel obliged to throw in my two cents, as I was one of the perpetrators of the above — not only appearing onstage in my underwear but also uttering the F-word for all to hear, to name only a couple of features on my list of probable offenses.
The purpose of theater is, as Shakespeare said, to hold the mirror up to nature; in other words, to reflect real life. Not a sanitized facsimile of life, but real life, in all of its nakedness, crudity and embarrassment. Sometimes the picture isn’t pretty and sometimes it isn’t easily digestible, but that doesn’t mean it’s devoid of value. Rather, it’s the potential to provoke, enrage, confuse, and enrapture, that makes theater — and any art — so valuable.
The director of our carnal affair is LCC’s drama professor, Don Correll, who I have been exceedingly privileged to work with. My respect for him ... is immeasurable.
Caitlin Nolan
Longview
Times have changed
This letter is in reply to Donna Davis’ letter of May 23 concerning the play “Rep.”
First off, it appears that Davis has not been to a movie since the ’50s or ’60s. Sex, strong language and near to complete nudity is the common denominator now.
Second, she must not do very much shopping, as these same three things are common in malls and shopping centers everywhere.
Third, she must not go out to eat very often either, as strong language, very short skirts and pants around the knees also are very common. I will admit though, I really don’t care much about looking at some guy’s naked butt crack walking by my table while I’m eating. But parents don’t seem to care or have any control over the dress code of their offspring.
And the reason most of the seats were filled with students is easy to explain. They get in free.
Harry Gilpin
Cathlamet
Writer is misinformed
Once again another misinformed sport fisherman has stated false facts about the commercial gill-netters and that person is Ken Spring. He writes in his letter that the commercial fleet has been fishing the Columbia since February, insinuating they are fishing for salmon, and cites the Columbia River Compact site for his knowledge of this. It comes as no surprise to me that he would try to twist the facts, as I have the same site on my computer.
The gill-netters fished for sturgeon only in February on three different days, not salmon. In March they fished exactly zero days for any species, unless you want to consider smelt. Another misconception of Mr. Springs. In April they fished on three different days upriver above the Willamette for a total of 38 hours on the upriver run that wasn’t in any peril as the Willamette was. Since April 16, they have not fished one day.
The sports were allowed to fish seven days a week on the Willamette on a run that was in dire trouble, and, as of now, will not come close to reaching their escapement goal. The sports were terminated from fishing that river when it was too late. They also fished the main stem six days a week above the Willamette, and the fishing for them was from good to great.
Bruce Holland
Cathlamet
Celebrating humanity
I wish to add my support for the upcoming march and International Festival at Lower Columbia College, which many may not be aware of. Mark Berguson’s commentary is an invitation to all of our citizens, regardless of age, to reaffirm why we exist as a community.
I urge everyone to answer the call and recognize our common humanity; this being regardless of race or religion, appreciating that we all are important in the scheme of creation, are to be valued, respected and honored for the potential each of us reflects on this journey we share called life. Aside from Berguson’s contributions, I also would have to note Cindy Lopez and a host of others have offered our region a glimpse into our diversity and commonality. We are the melting pot of the world and may we always come together to make the world better for ourselves and those who come after us.
Diversity does not challenge our perceived role in life, rather I would submit it adds color, flavor and purpose to the recipe for the melting pot. May we all prosper together, ever learning and growing to be all that we can, and become together.
Ray Baker
Longview
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