Comparing George Bush to Orwell’s “1984”
Re: “George Bush’s Ministry of Truth,” Feb. 3 Reggie Rivers column.
Some things to think about in response to the venom-filled words in Reggie Rivers’ column:
1. When he refers to George Orwell’s novel “1984,” Rivers should know that Orwell wrote those in the mid-1930s, and guess what was to come within five years: the razor-thin escape of Britain from total annihilation by Hitler, a close call after colossal blunders permitted by the kind of pacifistic, weak-kneed thinking Rivers and his fellow lefties are now exhibiting. Winston Churchill was vilified then, too – much like our president is being vilified as someone who is simply trying to take the battle to the enemy.
2. Why is it a lie to agree with the whole world that Saddam Hussein had WMD, as was the case before we invaded Iraq?
3. People like Rivers should get used to the fact that we are going to stand fast and follow through in our often messy but determined object of developing democracy in Iraq.
4. Finally, I strongly suggest Rivers try reading more about Orwell. Orwell became a kind of hero at the onset of World War II, as one of the few British intellectuals who fought the English left’s antiwar mindset and its love affair with Russia. The irony of Rivers’ citation is that the books like “1984” he wrote were to take the Communist, leftist, antiwar “group-think” to task and to warn Britain about the gathering storm of risk to its culture and nation.
Robert H. Bucher, Denver
Reaction to Danish cartoons depicting Islam’s Prophet Muhammad
Muslims worldwide are decrying the publication of a group of cartoons by Danish artists defaming and ridiculing Prophet Muhammad. Reactions are ranging from mild protest to economic boycott and destructive violence.
For Muslims, Muhammad is the manifestation of all human virtues and morality. At a time when the world was at its darkest, Muhammad brought freedom and justice to all facets of life. To have him ridiculed in this manner causes the Muslims immeasurable pain and grief. Under the banner of freedom of expression, the Danish artists have singlehandedly managed to violate to the very core more than 1 billion Muslim individuals.
Islam, too, insists on freedom of expression; it is a necessary right to maintain all other human rights, to reveal truth, share information and affect positive change. But even rights come with a user’s manual. When freedom of expression is used to incite hatred, intolerance and racism, it violates the very rights it sought to protect. Perhaps our overzealous concern to safeguard the freedom to express has our hands tied in observing every person’s right to respect, dignity and tolerance. As such, we all stand to lose.
Ghada Elshimi, Englewood
…
So, let me get this straight. There exists a certain group of radical Islamo-fascists who tend to blow up people and property to advance their political agenda, cut off the heads of those who disagree with them or even just come from countries, religions or places that might disagree with them, and claim that if they are martyred in their cause they are rewarded with 72 virgins. This group of people is now upset and angry over cartoons that depict them as blowing up people and property to advance their political agenda, cutting the heads off of people who disagree with them or come from countries, religions or places that might disagree with them, and for being rewarded in the afterlife with 72 virgins for martyring themselves for their cause? Did I get that right? I sure don’t want to upset anyone here or to be insensitive to anyone’s religious beliefs.
Michael Zsitnyar, Lakewood
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I find it interesting that, in the same month Rolling Stone chooses a secular and profane rap star dressed up as a suffering Jesus for its cover, Muslims are rioting over cartoons offensive to their faith. Liberal magazines like Rolling Stone find it hip to offend Christians, but would not dare offend the supposedly peaceful religion of Islam. Yet I am sure no riots or deaths will occur over the blasphemous mocking of Christ’s suffering. Rolling Stone prides itself on being shocking and provoking. I dare them to put a rap star on next month’s cover mocking Muhammad. When will media give the Christian faith the same respect it gives other religions?
Todd Wilson, Fort Collins
Is it time to regulate pay-TV “monopolies”?
Re: “Viewers look at options as TV rates rise,” Feb. 6 news story.
The self-serving reasons cable TV companies give for their constant rate increases are fooling no one. They, quite understandably for publicly traded companies, just want to make a lot of money.
Consumers Union points out correctly that the real reason is that there is little or no competition in the land-line cable industry.
If Comcast, et al, continue to refuse to give their customers real choice and control over their TV budget via a la carte pricing, it is time to subject these arrogant monopolies to government pricing regulation, just as it is done for telephone, gas and electric service.
Our legislators, who presumably watch TV and pay for it like the rest of us, need to take a close look at this situation.
Steve Pacetti, Lakewood
John Kerry’s comments on U.S. dropout rate
If an idiot shoots his mouth off in the forest, does anyone hear it? Not if he is a liberal Democrat like Sen. John Kerry.
On NBC’s “Today” show on Feb. 1, Kerry was busy attacking President Bush and his State of the Union speech. He forcefully criticized the Bush administration’s education program because “53 percent of our children are not graduating from high school.” However, the true number is roughly 10 percent. Still too high for our nation, but not 53 percent.
Given this performance, Kerry is either a compulsive liar or a blooming idiot.
What? You hadn’t heard of this story? No surprise there – the mainstream media, including The Denver Post, haven’t seen fit to tell you about it. Can you imagine the media coverage if a prominent Republican had made such a gaffe? No need to imagine – just remember when President Bush mispronounced “nuclear” or Dan Quayle misspelled “potato.”
The mainstream media portray Republicans as dolts, while giving a free ride to Democrats like Kerry.
That is why a growing number of Americans, including me, now get most of our real news online.
Mark Rasmussen, Aurora
Village at Wolf Creek
Re: “Wolf Creek development tangled with political ties,” Feb. 5 news story.
Your lengthy article on the Wolf Creek development missed one important point and made another point worth repeating. First, as the materials made available to The Post clearly indicated, I met with both supporters of the development and its opponents – the latter through their Washington, D.C., law firm.
Second, as the story correctly indicated, the decision on the National Forest right-of-way will be made by the Forest Service regional office in Denver, notwithstanding any visits by any party to Washington, D.C.
Mark Rey, Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment, U.S. Department of Agriculture
COLORADO VOICES
If you have good ideas and a writer’s touch, we hope you’ll apply for Colorado Voices. It is a den for part-time columnists, a feature we created in 1999 as a forum for contributors from across the state.
Send us two sample columns, 600 to 700 words each, along with a cover letter describing your background, your interest in Voices and whatever else you think we need to know.
Deadline for entries is 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 20. E-mail them to us at voices@denverpost.com (no attachments, please), or by mail to Mary Idler, Denver Post Editorial Page, 1560 Broadway, Denver CO 80202. Provide your address, phone numbers and e-mail address.
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