IGNORANCE IS BLISS?
Mr. Stephen George, Maybe you’re right. Some of McCain’s supporters are ignorant. But your Oct. 15 editorial has shown me that neither side has the market cornered on ignorance, bombastic language or emotionally charged rhetoric that preys on the naive. Simply put, it reeks of the very same “shit-peddling” to the (albeit perhaps slightly more literate) masses when you write a scathing editorial based on one negative (just not negative enough for you) response McCain gave to one very ignorant person who asked him a question at one of a hundred similar events. The logical fallacy underlying your editorial should be apparent: First, you take a totally aberrant example, assume that a much larger group of people are willfully acting along similar lines with similar ideals, and add to it the notion that their leader is virtually condoning the repealing of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 19th Amendment. All that is left is to apply to 40 percent of people who will share your fate in these times are labels like “ignorant” and “barely literate,” as if they are what’s wrong with America and don’t deserve to share a ballot box with you and those in your well-educated circle of friends. If you listened to the debate on Wednesday, you would have noticed McCain making virtually the same fallacy as you regarding the statements of Rep. Lewis. But while he only asked Obama to “repudiate” those words, he didn’t make huge sweeping statements about the man himself or his followers. He was just being off-point and ticky-tack — politically unprofitable, but far more forgivable than it would have been if he were to match your ignorant and unfounded prejudiced vitriol. He can’t afford to look as blind and angry as you. To continue the furthering of a dialogue that gets hotter, angrier and further off point is far from helpful. If you think a more progressive direction is better for our country, then say so. But don’t call almost half of our country names.
Luke Groce, Louisville
MCCONNELL’S FAILED LEGACY
“Candidate: The Riddle of Bruce Lunsford” (LEO Weekly, Oct. 8) demands we examine the rip-off of Sen. Mitch McConnell, who must be defeated in 2008. Our nation is in critical condition, directly because of McConnell’s failed judgment and failed leadership. McConnell protected Wall Street greed and free-reigning corruption. For eight years, McConnell blindly supported worst-ever President George W. Bush’s wrecking of our country. McConnell’s failed judgment cost us a crippling national debt and an endless $3 trillion Iraq war. McConnell’s warped sense of public service failed to deliver on vital issues that affect everyday quality of life. McConnell failed to regulate healthcare, drug and insurance companies, auto safety, coalmine safety and mountaintop removal mining. Issue after issue, McConnell failed to place Kentuckians above corporations. What did McConnell do about global warming — the most alarming threat to our planet and our very survival? McConnell’s legacy is an obsession with power — his self-serving priorities are tax breaks for the rich and his loyal friendships with greedy corporations. For a quarter-century, McConnell shortchanged the people of Kentucky. In November, a majority of voters will defeat McConnell and elect Bruce Lunsford as our U.S. Senator. Mitch, your time is up!
Michael Gregoire, Louisville
EAT IT!
This week, our administration at the University of Louisville unveiled a new meal plan for commuter students. There are about 7,800 of us, and they plan on forcing us to buy a $250/semester non-refundable meal plan. The only way a student can opt out is if it goes against religious practices or they adhere to strict eating habits. I find this unbelievable that we are practically having a gun held to our head to buy this plan. We are really angry. When we wrote to Tim Moore, the Student Activities Director, he gave us a joke of a response, telling us that we should be happy that Louisville is getting more progressive and that we should listen to Hillary Clinton when she said: “Every moment wasted looking back keeps us from moving forward.” What is going on here? Well, recently U of L hired the service of Sodexo Inc., a food provider, and is also bringing in outside companies such as McAlister’s Deli and Damon’s to the Student Activities Center. What many of us students are wondering is who would eat at Damon’s? In a time when we are trying to save as much money as possible, who can possibly afford Damon’s? Why is U of L not promoting frugality? They say that if we spend $6 per day, we will easily use up our meal card. They are missing the point entirely; I could spend $250 to buy all of my books! So, basically, in the university’s eyes, they are forcing the 7,800 commuters to buy a meal plan that, over a year, would cost $500. That would bring in $3.9 million. Over four years, that would equate to $15.6 million that they are stealing from us. I don’t know if they really understand some of the reasons behind being a commuter. 1) You don’t have to pay for food if you live with your parents. 2) You can buy cheaper and healthier food from Kroger. 3) You aren’t forced to buy some crock-of-shit meal plan!
Rob Monsma, Louisville
THE REAL DOCTORS
Let me preface this by saying that presidential politics has me in an uproar. I have been so disgusted by the McCain campaign’s blatant disregard for democracy (ignoring debates, subpoenas and Dave Letterman) that I find myself easily perturbed by issues that my former self would have ignored. While perusing your Readers’ Choice Awards, I was delighted to see many fine individuals and businesses receiving the kudos they deserve. I was particularly happy to see that Dawne Gee was named Best Local TV News Anchor and that 21c was named Best Public Restroom. My joy in our community and its ability to recognize greatness was stomped, however, when I came to the Best Plastic Surgeon category. I was surprised to discover that LEO offers not one but three awards to surgeons who profit from deforming the natural beauty of individuals in our society. Offering awards to these practitioners in the categories of “Faces,” “Breasts” and “Liposuction” seems ill-considered. Many Louisville doctors such as heart surgeons, OBGyns and ER physicians spend their days — and many sleepless nights — giving and saving lives. If our neighborhood newspaper is going to award local doctors, shouldn’t it first recognize these noble individuals upon whom our very existence depends? Next year, if LEO Weekly intends to recognize Louisville’s Best Plastic Surgeons, it seems only fair that you would also include a category for the Best Male Performance Enhancement Pill.
Sharon M. Scott, Louisville
