Letters to the Editor Blame IRA, not Major
A ndrew Ross is outrageous in laying the blame for renewed IRA bombings at John Major's feet. In calling for elections or alternatively decommissioning of weapons, Major gave Sinn Fein and the IRA the opportunity to show that they have the legitimacy to join in all-party talks. By refusing both, the IRA has demonstrated that it is not ready to act in good faith in a democratic milieu; by refusing to condemn the Docklands bombings, Gerry Adams has shown that neither is he.
There can be no peace in Ulster until the IRA is willing to accept a democratic solution. To date, this bunch of thugs has only shown that it will continue its terrorist campaign until all other parties simply concede to its demands. Of course, no legitimate democracy -- not the UK, the Irish Republic, nor the US -- can do this. Major's hard line merely emphasizes this truth.
Mike Shimazu
A Cad Indeed
Gary Kamiya's cattish rave-up for < href="http://www.salon1999.com/07/features/sanders.html">the last of the true cads was just what I expected from the talented Mr. Kamiya. But it seemed to leave out the last years, when Sanders didn't even know for sure which movie he was in... He continued to play the world-weary somebody, whether it was king or commoner. His role as the Hittite (?) king in "Samson and Delilah" was always a favorite of mine, your basic cad with chariot and breastplate.
George Powell
Bravos for Bettys
Just loved your Bad Betty diaries...I'm going through a painful breakup with my girlfriend and the emotions of those Bad Bettys really spoke to me of the sadness and cynicism which one experiences at a time like this ....reading it though makes it clearer and maybe understandable ..and so helped me with a little of the irony of the situation. Thank you.
Rory Phelan
The Lamott Corner
I am so excited to see Ann Lamott on your web page. I am reading her book "Bird by Bird," and simply enjoying it. I have the added experience that I grew up in the same area as she did about the same time, so it all seems very familiar.
Rose Sachs
Getting Anne Lamott to do a column, even over the phone, is the best thing you've done so far. I enjoy reading about authors, but I enjoy even more reading what they write.
Karalee Harding
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