Gift horse

Regarding “The Wegman Gift” (Urban Journal, October 16): It
sure seems to me that Mr. Wegman is trying to buy the minds and souls of the
teachers at Aquinas. This in a place that should be encouraging free thought —
and for only $10 million. Keep your money Mr. Wegman!

Ray Zahn, Sperry Drive, Henrietta

On the Greens

Regarding “Greened” (The Mail, October 23):The “most
shameless piece of intellectual dishonesty” was the rather negative claim of
Gore (2000) campaign chairman William Daley, who portrayed Green Party
presidential candidate Ralph Nader as the “spoiler.” Daley’s fear-driven,
scapegoating campaign comment sent the dubious message that Ralph Nader was
“taking” votes from Gore. Greens backed Nader’s bid for president precisely
because of the widespread sense that voting had been rendered meaningless.

While
campaigning locally these past few election seasons, I have encountered a few
“scapegoaters,” but most Rochesterians smile when I ask them to consider the
Greens in the upcoming election. Not everyone accepts our Green Party candidate
literature, but I always smile and conclude, “It’s your vote to
cast.”

Timothy Saunders, Vice-Chair Green Party of
Monroe County, Rochester

The Bush doctrine

George W. Bush, by the grace of the Supreme Court (not God)
the 43rd president of these United States, has now issued the “Bush Doctrine”
on America’s foreign affairs.

He
states that the US has the right, the obligation, the “divine” authority to, as
the Romans did 2000 years ago, stand athwart the world and force all to live
according to the Pax USANA.

An
American peace in which we will brook no competitors. An American paradise
based on American values and our “way of life” — not to mention our sins and
other vagaries.

Bush
would have us be the world’s policeman, prosecutor, and judge while
implementing our Pax USANA (much as
we did our gunboat diplomacy in Central and South America for a century).

Who
knows what Bush will do next?

He
already seeks dictatorial police powers domestically in his Homeland Security
proposals. His doctrine, if tolerated, would give him the right to use the US
military in any situation, foreign or domestic, as he wishes.

Who
knows: Bush II may be the first American Caesar, or is it Kaiser or Fuehrer? In
two years, will we still be saying the Pledge of Allegiance, or will it be the
American version of “Sieg heil, Sieg heil, Sieg heil”?

Can’t
happen here, you say. Strange, that’s exactly what millions of Germans said in
the Thirties. And look what happened.

William Gaden, Stowell Drive, Rochester

Pray for peace

After viewing a recent “60 Minutes,” I am more convinced
than ever that the Christian fundamentalists (70 million strong and voting) are
pushing the Bush administration for war to fulfill biblical prophecy.

I
attended a Christian fundamentalist college and am aware of their mentality.
Israel and Palestine should embrace and live in peace, for the fundamentalist
faction of Christianity is eager for the fall of both, to prepare for the
return of Christ. If Bush continues his policies for another six years, the
annihilation of the Middle East will surely be realized.

To
offset this powerful, collective consciousness of destruction, we need to have
millions unite across the world to pray for peace. A few years back, this chain
of prayer or creative consciousness for peace stopped many global wars for a
period of time. The Christian fundamentalists scramble the Old and New
Testaments to proselytize their views.

In
the Sermon on the Mount, Christ said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they
shall be called the children of God.” So much for the fundamentalists absorbing
the great love and philosophy of peace that Christ wanted for all mankind.

D. Haynes Williams, Rochester

Our ‘inner conflict’

I didn’t realize you had to be a scientist to run for
Congress. Is Ayesha Nariman going to build an alternative energy system by
herself with her math and physics knowledge? (Endorsements, Congress, 26th
District, October 30.)

                  I
accept your endorsement decision. I like what Ms. Nariman has to say. I don’t
think she has the courage to challenge the entrenched politics of business as
usual in Washington. Her grasp of the specifics of many issues would make her a
great consultant or lobbyist.

                  I
thought the article was fairly done in general kind of ho-hum way. You call me
scattered and reactive but don’t make that case until the final
hippie-pot-smoker dig. I think that was a cheap shot. It exposed the inner conflict
chicken-shit Democrats like yourself have. You want to be hip, cool, and edgy
but you’re afraid to piss off your boss. Thanks for making me look like a
schmuck, you punk.

                  Paul Fallon, Amherst

                  Chris Busby responds: Thanks for proving
my point, Mr. Fallon.

This article appears in Oct 30 – Nov 5, 2002.