Always the Grinch!
“You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch...

You’re as cuddly as a cactus,

You’re as charming as an eel...

You’re a bad banana

With a greasy black peel.“

Way to go, Hasso Hering! You have surpassed your own previous levels of toxic grinchiness with your charming editorial “Ah, love!”

God forbid we should, for even a single day, turn our collective attention from obsessing on Jeremiah Wright, “misremembered” nonexistent runway snipers, or the absurd antics of rich airheads with the mental age of 2 and the emotional maturity of plastic fruit.

When we could be focusing on feuding with our neighbors or ranting against anyone who doesn’t look or speak like us, why should we waste even an hour let alone a whole day practicing tolerance, compassion and understanding? Why, for all we know it could become ... you know ... something we do on other days as well! Oh, say it ain’t so!

Well: pphhbbbbllllt to you, Mr. Grinch! I hope you enjoy spending May 1 stewing in your internal vat of fear and loathing. But do try not to slosh too much, I truly don’t want it splashing on me. You have, at least temporarily, used up all of the tolerance, compassion and/or understanding I might have for you.

Raven OKeefe, Linn County

The story of a name

Your special Thursday page, Young Voices, is a favorite. What a treat to tell my many pen pal stories to a very talented Stacie Struble (April 17).

Luckily, I had just found some of sister Betty’s last letters and Christmas cards from just before her death in January 1997 and, in the same file, the three years of round-robin letters between my five children and me in the 1980s.

The only error was misspelling my first name. I was named for my World War II vet father, Charles Chester. In France, he’d been called Charle (Sharl). Mother didn’t know the feminine, for there is none.

She doubled the “l” and pronounced it Shar-lee. She should have doubled the “e” for on graduation from Eureka High in 1949, I got a draft notice for Charlie Marrell at the height of the Korean War.

Hasso Hering called me one afternoon, “Mrs. L’Esperance, every time you write a letter to the editor, we argue over how to spell your name.” It’s been right ever since, until now. Is it any wonder I’m a huge fan of the D-H?

Thanks to you all.

Charlle L’Esperance, Sweet Home

What the president said

I am in total agreement with Lenora Rianda in her letter to the editor printed on the 21st. Why was there no coverage on the president’s statement that he approved of torture? Is this not important news that all Americans should know? Is this telling me torture is OK with everyone? How do fellow Christians feel about this? Are we embarrassed and don’t want to talk about this type of news? Should we hide news like this and blindly continue to support the decisions and statements the president makes? Should I begin to look for another form of news reporting and stop my subscription to the Albany Democrat-Herald since they made a poor decision not to write about this? Come on, Albany Democrat-Herald, I expect more from you!

Meri Surry, Lebanon

On April 11, the D-H printed, on page A6, 18 column-inches of an Associated Press report headlined: “Cheney, others signed off on interrogation tactics.” Also on April 11, ABC television ran a story that President Bush says he knew his top national security advisers discussed and approved specific details about how high-value al-Qaida suspects would be interrogated by the Central Intelligence Agency. Bush did not say that he “approved of torture.” What he said was: “And yes, I’m aware our national security team met on this issue. And I approved.”

Presidents deserve respect

How refreshing it was for me to read Maryland Johnson’s letter of April 19 saying how hate is a dead end and nothing good can come of it. I applaud her for expressing so eloquently exactly what I have been thinking about President Clinton and President Bush. They both deserve our respect!

I could not tell if Maryland was a Democrat, Independent or Republican, which made her letter very appropriate. So often we read or hear about the negative hateful bashing of our president. This hateful criticism borders on being insane.

We are so fortunate to live in the U.S., where we have the freedom to say anything we want about anybody. Many countries would put you in jail for criticizing the president. If people are so unhappy with our country, they should go visit some other countries to see how good we have it here. Instead of people being so critical of everything our president has done or not done, we need to move forward and focus on working together in a positive manner so we can use our positive energy to make the U.S. an even better place to live. Instead of hating someone, loving your neighbor is the best plan.

Mary Kay Conser, Albany

Go find, see this movie

I highly recommend that everyone go and see the documentary, “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.” It is an eye-opening and thought-provoking look into the current lack of academic freedom, especially in regards to any challenge to Darwinian theory.

The slightest mention of intelligent design, in some cases, is enough to derail careers. When it comes to the question of whether life evolved aimlessly or followed some pattern of design, scientists are only allowed to explore one of the two possible answers.

While covering serious topics, “Expelled” is also witty, humorous and entertaining. The theater audience broke out into spontaneous applause at the end of the showing I attended.

“Expelled” is not a big-budget blockbuster with huge ad buys, so no wonder most people I have talked to are not even aware it is in theaters. The closest theaters showing it are in Independence, Salem and Eugene, but I found the drive well worth it. I urge everyone to go see it soon.

Toby Bierly, Albany

Keep your cats at home

You are right, Mary (Mailbag). Cats are God’s creatures and have a place on this earth. Cats know no boundaries and should not be punished for what they don’t understand.

People are God’s creatures, too. Does that mean we can come over to your yard and use it as a toilet?

Like you say, all living things have a place on this earth. But in order to coexist peacefully, these living things need to live in their proper place. Keep your cat at home, Mary.

Carol Hiler, Albany

MAILBAG GUIDELINES: Letters must bear the writer’s full name and address, but we’ll omit the street address in the paper. Please include a daytime telephone number. Letters should be as brief as possible and are subject to editing and abridgement. Letters from the same person generally are limited to one a month.