Dull?
To the Editor:
After reading Chris Herrington’s review of The Return of the King, I have to Tolkienly say that Herrington would make a great Grimer Wormtongue. (Second movie, Chris.)
Steve Cook
Collierville
Hooray for Our Side
To the Editor:
Regarding the letter from Michael B. Conway (December 18th issue): Hooray for our side! We captured Saddam. He was hiding underground in one of the many little holes he had. We will also find his pile of WMDs in much more elaborate holes. I know so.
Let’s see … a year ago Saddam was still torturing, murdering, hiding terrorists, and posing a threat to the peace and safety of the Middle East as well other innocents, including us. I am sure the families of all our brave soldiers are proud of their loved ones doing a great job.
Two years ago, Osama bin Laden controlled a country and sent his own WMDs into our country, killing thousands and instilling fear. Today he is running from hole to hole also. His capture or destruction is inevitable. We know the war on terror is not over. But our heroes will always deserve a parade.
Forgive me, but the president’s first job is commander in chief, and I sleep better at night with him doing his job.
Drew A. Cook
Memphis
Jesus and George
To the Editor:
Imagine that before his press conference after Saddam’s capture President Bush went off by himself to pray. He kneels in the White House and asks for a word from God about what he should say. In answer, God sends his son, and before the president’s very eyes, Jesus appears.
George doesn’t recognize Jesus, so he gives him a test. He says, “I doubt you are really Jesus. Tell me something you said when you were on the earth.”
Jesus says, “Love one another as I have loved you.”
“No, I remember reading Leviticus and Exodus and those words were not in there,” George says. “They just don’t have the right tone. Try again.”
Jesus says, “You have heard it said of old, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you, love your enemy. Be good to those that persecute you.”
“Now I’ve got you!” says George. “You’re not Jesus. Jesus would never ever have said something so silly. That kind of thinking doesn’t take into consideration the reality of geopolitics. I like that eye for an eye thing better.”
Duncan Ragsdale
Memphis
Join Them?
To the Editor:
When will the left realize that if you can’t beat them, you should join them? We should get all the rich, left-leaning philanthropists to put all their tax cuts into a “Get Bush Out of the White House” fund. We should point out the blatant hypocrisy of the Halliburton contract in Iraq. We should talk about the perils to our constitutional liberties posed by the Patriot Act. And then we should just say, “9-11 changed everything.” Then maybe the voters would be able to make an informed decision.
Perry Mansfield
Memphis
To the Editor:
The year-end holidays are upon us: Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice. They conjure visions of families gathered by a warm fireplace, opening presents, sharing their love, and … feasting on ham and turkey.
It’s the happiest time of the year — for some. But for the millions of factory-farmed pigs and turkeys, our holiday season portends only agony, despair, and death after a lifetime of caging, deprivation, drugging, and mutilation.
Each of us can refuse to subsidize such wanton violence and cruelty during this holiday season by choosing plant-based foods that abound in every supermarket. There are fresh fruits and greens and soy-based deli slices in the produce section, veggie burgers, soy nuggets, and ready-to-eat dinners in the frozen-food section, and a variety of soy-based milks, cheeses, and ice creams.
This year, let’s have a truly gentle holiday. Let’s send the message of “peace on earth” to all living beings.
Christopher Case
Memphis
