The Seattle Times told us on Monday that Molly Ivins is on "vacation" this week (vacation from what, you might ask), and that her column will return "soon". The lack of a firm return date suggests that Molly might be in hot water with her syndicate over incidents of plagiarism, fabrications and plagiarism.
In the spot on Monday's op-ed page where Ivins normally appears, the Times treated us instead to this essay by P. Amy MacKinnon, a former Democrat, who explains why she will be voting to re-elect George W. Bush in November. After a list of ten of the attacks on Americans by Muslim fundamentalists dating back to 1978:
Halfhearted rescue attempts, trade embargoes, and a smattering of cruise missiles thrown at the problem by former leaders had no follow-through, no long-term commitment necessary to stave off the continued systematic attacks. Not until George Bush vowed to protect the US from those who sought to destroy it - even if he had to stand without the support of UN allies.Indeed. And that's why I also intend to vote for a Republican for President for the first time in my life this November.I can't rely on the contenders from my own party to follow Bush's course.
Unfortunately, not all Seattleites are as comfortable with reality as MacKinnon is, and in lieu of Molly Ivins' fantasies, the Times published an extra helping of hallucinatory letters to the editor. Like this one:
P. Amy MacKinnon, a professed Democrat, plans to vote for Bush in 2004. For every dupe like MacKinnon, surely there are thousands of Republicans or moderates who bought the George W. Bush-Karl Rove image of a "moderate" and an "outsider" in 2000, or who voted against Al Gore, but are now sickened, disgusted and angered as the true nature of the Bush doctrine is revealed.Yes, Caryn Cline, but unfortunately for your belief in the existence of "thousands" of Republicans and "moderates" overwhelming the "dupes" like MacKinnon to join the "majority of Americans", the majority of Americans this week appears to support the President.They understand that the Bush regime promotes corporate welfare, gives tax breaks to the rich, lies about the threat from Iraq, equivocates in Afghanistan, leaves poor children behind, alienates our long-standing allies, eviscerates the Bill of Rights, punishes dissent, flirts with religious extremists and devastates the environment. They know in their hearts that the Bush regime works against the American values they hold most dear.
Here's hoping these voters will support the Democratic candidate in 2004, and be part of the majority of Americans who demand our country back.
Caryn Cline, Seattle
Caryn Cline is a professor of "Library/Media Studies" at Evergreen State "College", specializing in "media literacy". I guess Evergreen State "College" is one of those places where you can teach "media literacy" without having to know how to read a newspaper.
Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at January 07, 2004 06:03 PMAre you suprised, comming from the school that produced terrorist appeaser Rachel Corrie?
Posted by: Dave on January 7, 2004 11:49 PMThis provides more support for the proposition that we should immediately end any academic program that calls itself "---- studies." Librarians get degrees in library science but what on earth is "library studies?"
Posted by: Alex Bensky on January 8, 2004 03:40 AMWhat the hell is the matter with Seattle and why did it turn into another San Francisco? It seems to be a home for every loony leftists cause imaginable. The state which gave the country the late greeat Senator Henry M. Jackson now gives us Congressman Jim McDermoot. I suppose that Washingotn has become like Vermont in the East. A state overrun by outsiders who have essentially taken over. In Vermont those outsiders who whave migrated to the state and essentially taken over (think Howard Dean, Congressman Bernie Sanders, Ben & Jerry) are called "Flatlanders." Do they have a similar name for the invasion of Seattle?
Posted by: Joel on January 8, 2004 06:16 AMBy custom they're called 'Californians'. However, this viewer prefers to say 'New Yorkers'.
Posted by: Insufficiently Sensitive on January 8, 2004 08:40 AMJoel
They are called morons.
Posted by: Gary B on January 8, 2004 08:59 AMAnd that's why I also intend to vote for a Republican for President for the first time in my life this November.
Come to the dark side, Steve...
Posted by: Brian Swisher on January 8, 2004 10:33 AMWhat is happening in Seattle is that a liberal paper has influenced a lot of people just as liberal papers have in New York, San Fancisco, Los Angelos and St. Louis. Contrast these cities with San Diego, and Dallas which have conservative papers and people who usually vote conservative.
The letter writer reminds me of the lady in New York who was shock to hear that Richard Nixon had been reelected because she did not know anyone who voted for him. I am sure the op-ed was a shock to her tranquility.
Ronald Reagan was not the first Republican I voted for, but Jimmy Carter was the last Democrat I voted for.
Posted by: Merv Benson on January 8, 2004 11:35 AMConfession time. My first vote for president was George McGovern. As my President once said, " when I was young and stupid, I was young and stupid".
While I support the Liberterian position on many issues, that party cannot win elections and I won't waste my vote. Consequently, I almost always vote Republican. I disagree with President Bush on some issues (excess long-term spending and campaign finance reform) but I'm proud to give him my vote.
I'm scared to death of any Democrat except Joe Leiberman. We are at war and can't afford the looney left's policy of surrender.
Posted by: Gary B on January 8, 2004 01:10 PM