The following is a selection of recent letters to the World Socialist Web Site.
On “Autopsy proves Terri Schiavo was in vegetative state”
In a civil, compassionate society, virtually everything about the Terri Schiavo case would have remained strictly behind closed doors, within the confines of the family. In and of itself, the autopsy report, and the body of scientific data gleaned from it, ought to be of interest to no one beyond the family, and the medical community.
However, given the social and political context in which Mrs. Schiavo’s tragic story played out, the autopsy report—I don’t think this can be said strongly and loudly enough—is a damning indictment of the conduct and rhetoric of the religious right and the most reactionary elements within the Republican and Democratic parties in this country.
Along with the growing collection of government documents and news reports that consistently refute and contradict the never-ending stream of lies from the White House, we have in the Schiavo autopsy one more objective measure of the chasm between reality and the Bush administration’s self-serving fictions and fantasies.
Within the American population, we have to acknowledge that there are layers of the working class that bought into the lies. And, of course, there will be those elements that will dismiss this latest revelation of inconvenient fact. Nevertheless, I suspect there will also be those for whom this latest development will serve as a wake-up call to the fact that the emperor is stark naked.
I urge those who are now inclined to look at this administration and the political situation in this country with fresh eyes to return to the World Socialist Web Site, to continue reading it, and to support it to the extent you can.
The WSWS’s exemplary coverage of this sad affair got it right, from the beginning. Thanks to all who had a hand in it.
NP
Portland, Oregon
16 June 2005
On “Bush administration begins to privatize the skies”
Sir,
I have been involved closely with this process. I am the NAATS New England Director. I need to compliment you as to the background and the completeness of your story. I have been deeply disappointed as to the half-assed efforts by most members of the press that I have been involved with. You have restored my faith in media.
Thank you,
Mike Sheldon, National Association of Air Traffic Specialists New England Director
Milford, Connecticut
16 June 2005
* * *Fantastic article! I am one of the Air Traffic Controllers that Bush is attempting to put out of work in his quest to privatize the entire Federal Government (except his office). The one thing that makes it all even more insane is that this is the same idiot who turned around and made baggage screeners inherently governmental! Only Bush would follow that up with making air traffic controllers not inherently governmental.
And note that his presidential order declaring air traffic controllers not inherently governmental also applies to the air traffic controllers that work at Towers and Enroute Centers—thus they will be the next group he goes after in his privatization quest! We are only the first batch that he is going after...presumably to work out the kinks before he goes after big guns.
RI
16 June 2005
On “Global interest rate ‘conundrum’ recalls the 1930s”
Your article comes at a time of year when I’m thinking about my parents. They were both born on June 22. Their wedding anniversary is June 30. They were married in 1929 a few months before the global economic collapse. Before the crash my father was riding high as a salesman for a major oil company. Within months of the crash my parents were making a largely subsistence living on one of my grandmother’s farms. They were lucky to have that farm and ended up supporting several members of the family. My parents never forgot that time in their lives and they told me tales of the 20s and 30s for my entire life. I’ve felt that knowing their personal history of that economic disaster was one of the privileges of being born to older parents. The very personal connection to history of this period is missing for most people alive today in the United States and, I believe, that’s why the signs you spoke about in your article are being ignored and misinterpreted.
If mom and dad were alive today, they would look at these markets and the sinister global partnership of governments with a handful of super-national corporations, shake their heads and tell me to get my money out of the market. I think they’d be right. After all, they survived it the last time.
NH
14 June 2005
On “Canada’s Supreme Court sanctions drive to dismantle public health care”
The ruling of the majority of Canada’s Supreme Court on public health is a debacle not only for Canada but also for struggling third world countries emulating Canada’s public health services as a model. Canada’s elite and capitalists have connived and succeeded in undermining ordinary people’s right to basic health services. The Supreme Court’s 4-3 vote that dismantled the Quebec law is not convincing enough, so the struggle for pro-people’s action to reverse it is not yet over. The working class Filipinos are with you.
ER
Davao City, Philippines
11 June 2005
On “Terrorism case in Lodi, California begins to unravel”
Good analysis of the Lodi “terror” arrests. I would add one thing: The most striking aspect of the government’s announcement of its case against that family in Lodi, California, was the timing of the announcement. It was predictable that, with the “Downing Street memo” starting to get some attention in US media, a diversion would soon follow. Presto!
LG
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
11 June 2005
On “Home foreclosures surge—no housing boom for poor families in the US”
Excellent article. The foreclosure.com sourced info was not news to me but I concluded it was news at the time I read it. Your article puts that news in a different and more serious light for me. Thank you. The UK experience may be worthy of your (worldwide) attention too.
CM
13 June 2005
On Ethiopian elections
Ethiopia held a general election on May 15, 2005. The majority of the population voted for the opposition parties. Fearing losing the election, the dictatorial government of Melese Zenawi postponed the election results for two months. Moreover, his administration declared a state of emergency in the country after the election. On June 6 the government security forces opened fire on innocent university students and killed more than 26 students. The government is terrorizing the people of Ethiopia. Mr. Melese’s government is considered by the U.S and Britain as a great ally in the so-called “war on terrorism.” The Ethiopian people have had enough under his administration. Please understand the plight of Ethiopians before a big tragedy unfolds in the country. I want the readers of WSWS to be aware of the situation in Ethiopia.
YJ
11 June 2005
On the World Socialist Web Site
One of the best things about the WSWS is the linking back to previous, related stories. I find that, since I do not always get a chance to read every story, I miss a lot, but I am grateful for the opportunity to follow these threads back and get a better view of the situations.
These links also show what I often say to people is my favorite part of WSWS—the consistent making of sense! While so many other outlets, left and right, scream at you, the WSWS treats people as intelligent beings.
Thank you,
CMS
Portland, Oregon
10 June 2005