Sure, the rank and file of the military will railroad those in conflict with their so-called "wisdom." Good people will lose their jobs/careers and the military will keep churning along, spitting out those who get in the way.
I say keep on questioning people in authority regardless of what they threaten. It doesn't matter what kind of paper these military members signed, their bodies are the last bit of themselves they truly possess. If the government takes that, what the hell is left?
Don Thaggard
Phoenix
I am writing in regard to the story you ran on the anthrax vaccination program in the military. You have only scratched the surface of a very large issue. This whole issue is coming to light here in my area and it has people very scared.
With no reasons or explanations given, this program is ruining lives and morale and is creating division among the masses!
Meanwhile, this nightmare chugs along, and no one is intervening on our behalf. We are being denied the very same thing we chose to defend -- our rights under the Constitution.
Doesn't anyone find it ironic that the DOD keeps saying this shot will protect us from inhalation anthrax, yet it was never developed for that, never tested for that, and, to date, has never been proven in humans to do that? How do they know it will supposedly protect?
I have been dumfounded by the lack of regard for my safety and health in this matter. It absolutely amazes me. Nice job on your story. I only hope it has a happy ending.
Name withheld by request
Cannon Fodder
I would appreciate your explanation as to why Max Cannon's Red Meat cartoon of February 17 is to be funny? Satirical? Newsworthy? Or whatever. I think it is disgusting. No wonder your newspaper is free.
Harold J. Bidigare
Fountain Hills
Second Opinion
Your critique of Tintypes("Time Marches Yawn," Robrt L. Pela, February 17) was one of the cheesiest attempts at journalism that I have ever read. We are eight adults, all from the New York-New Jersey area. We thoroughly enjoyed the show -- fine acting, excellent entertainment. Your childish, ridiculous review is truly not worthy of mention. However, I thought it was time for someone to tell you to grow up. Your vindictive writing is an embarrassment. You call yourself a theater critic -- get a day job.
Lillian Goldston
Scottsdale
Mud Flap
The Mullet column was a riot ("Shout at the Mullet," David Holthouse, January 27). I belong to a segment of the population that probably accounts for the majority of Mullet haircuts; I am a lesbian. In certain circles, it's known simply as "THE Cut," because of its extensive proliferation among us girls. It's also known as the "Achey-Breaky, Big Mistakey" (after Mr. Cyrus), and the "Mud Flap," and I have seen more than my fair share. I once took my mother to a Mercury game (you know, to introduce her to my people), and as we waited in line for the mass exodus, a large group of Mullet-headed dykes walked past. I turned to my mother and told her, "No matter how you feel about me and my life, take comfort in knowing that I will never, ever do that to my head." Now, my parents were very accepting of my coming out, but at that particular moment, my mother let out a sigh of relief, content with the fact that I was going to be okay. I even spied the slight shimmer of tears of joy in her eyes.
And in response to Richard Gilbert's response letter about Holthouse's column (Letters, February 17), one can only infer that he himself sports a Mullet. Relax, guy, you make it sound as if we're tipping over little kids in wheelchairs. No, no, no. I'm not making fun of physical attributes, I'm making fun of people who choose to look like idiots. And for the record, as an equal-opportunity mocker, we should point and laugh at Jeri-Curls, as well as anything feathered or crimped, shaved heads with rat-tails and/or bangs, comb-overs, bad rugs and perms on men. Don't think the ridicule stops at the follicle, either. I propose we make life unbearable for those wearing hair nets but not washing dishes, hats worn any direction other than forward or backward, stick-thin men in skintight Wranglers, women with blow bellies in halters and hip huggers, men in pointy-toed loafers with tassels, socks with sandals, suspenders with jeans, and anything else a halfway decent full-length mirror would solve. I could easily expand on the list, but according to my woman's intuition, I've scared Mr. Gilbert enough. And I'm sure that once he cuts his hair, burns his NASCAR paraphernalia, stops writing Steve Perry fan mail and takes the politically correct stick out of his ass, he'll find out what humor is.
Thanks for giving us a quality newspaper. Keep up the good work.
Kathy Williams
Litchfield Park
