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Ravings of a Liberal Mind

Thanks for publishing such a perfect example of the random, insubstantial ravings that pervade the stereotypical liberal mindset [Rationally Speaking, Aug. 29]. With references ranging from blessed memories of Clinton to religious fundamentalist mudslinging, the column could be published as a primer for tender young liberal minds. Nonsense, greed, and repression are not exclusively conservative values. They find equally comfortable homes among liberals. It's just that the names of these values get changed to protect the guilty.

John Thomas Oaks
Knoxville

A Rational Challenge

In "Why Bother?" [Rationally Speaking, Aug. 29] Massimo [Pigliucci] covers a lot of emotional turf. First, he chafes at being called such names as "idealist" or "progressive." Then he bemoans his uphill struggle against the dark forces of "rampant superstition, nonsense, and fundamentalist religion," apparently driven at times to the consideration of "committing suicide." Finally he takes credit that his views have resulted in major shifts in history, to wit: The crumbling of the Berlin wall; Mandela's becoming head of state; the disappearance of the Milosovic government; the defeat of slavery, racism, and sexism; the slowing of religious bigotry; and the making the environment an issue (pretty heady stuff for a guy who seems so depressed).

So how "rational" is Massimo? It's pretty hard to tell given such ramblings. So here's my challenge to Massimo: Let's take one little element in your crusade and see if you can make a "rational" case in a Metro Pulse article.

Let's take what seems to be one of your most strongly felt peeves: "Fundamentalism" (mentioned directly three times in the article). Instead of just tossing around labels, explain with some clarity and precision what you mean by this term and why you're so vexed by it. Then maybe we can begin to try to rationally discuss whatever it is you're really talking about.

I'll await the opening bell.

Mike Murphree
Knoxville

Here, here

As I read Pigliucci's article [Rationally Speaking, Aug. 29], I am refreshed to see him raise the banner for rational thinking, although I know it looks like a red flag to those opposed to free thinking. I think he is a courageous man, who probably wears a bullet proof vest when he goes out in public.

The issue is not liberal vs. conservative. It's rational thinking vs irrational thinking. The results of rational thinking can yield liberal conclusions or it can yield conservative conclusions.

Jan Nielsen
Knoxville

Everyone Said No

I was walking down Neyland Drive on my way to the Village People concert last week. I saw three handicapped women trying to get there too. They were pulling a shopping cart with an ice chest in it with a couple of chairs on top. They were having a lot of trouble, so I waited to see what happened. Unfortunately, I couldn't help them myself, being too old. They went up to a policeman stopping cars from going up the road. They asked if he could help them. He said no, he couldn't leave his post. This is understandable. But he would not call anyone else to help either. When asked how far it was, he said "You're only half there." They walked down a ways and saw a woman from the radio station putting on the concert. They asked her for help. She said there wasn't anything she could do to help. She said it was up to the police. Well, the police said no [again]. It was for the Fire Department to do that. They walked farther down the road. The next group they came on was the groundskeepers. They, too, said "No. Insurance, you know." Walking on again, they came upon the Fire Department. Another no. They not only said no, they said they had to take their cooler back to the car. The woman that was the worst off was about in tears. She waited while the other one took the cooler back.

I couldn't believe my eyes! Five, yes five, public service groups, there to help the public, wouldn't help them! I was so sorry I couldn't help either. I couldn't believe there wasn't anything pre-arranged to help the handicapped. The city, the police, the fire department, the radio station, the grounds crews...no one had done anything. Not a single thing.

Carrie Miller
Knoxville