Readers Write: Heroin and America's spiritual void; Hypocrisy on Putin's Ukraine move
Letters to the Editor for the May 5, 2014 weekly magazine:
Consumerism and technology are constantly trying to convince us of the self-evident absurdity that we can 'have it all'. In truth, we not only can't have it all, we really don't want it!
The look at heroin addiction in American suburbia brings attention to the paucity of spiritual control in our YOLO ('you only live once') society.
If, to protect itself from potential threats, the US can justify invading countries near the Russian sphere of influence, how can the US deny Russia the same justification with Crimea?
South Lake Tahoe, Calif.; San Rafael, Calif.; and Woodland Hills, Calif.
Heroin, busyness, and a spiritual void
Robert Klose's Home Forum essay, "World enough, and time," and John Yemma's Upfront column, "What our freedom demands" (discussing consumerism and growing heroin use), dovetailed very nicely in the March 24 issue.
Consumerism and technology are constantly trying to convince us of the self-evident absurdity that we can "have it all": true love without effort or commitment, overeating without gaining weight, drug use without consequences. Most people's "busyness" today can be attributed to the never-ending pursuit of this elusive goal.
The founder of this newspaper, a truly "busy" woman, once said, "Rushing around smartly is no proof of accomplishing much." A slower, more contemplative existence might show us the merits of quality over quantity. Then we might realize that, in a material sense, we not only can't have it all, we really don't want it!
Rick Soule
South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
Mr. Yemma's column about freedom and self-control and the cover story, "Heroin's new neighborhoods," bring attention to the "paucity of spirituality" and spiritual control in our YOLO ("you only live once") society. One woman quoted in the cover story says that getting high made her feel like "the person she wanted to be," revealing the void of spiritual well-being all kinds of addictions attempt to fill. Plaudits to the Monitor for calling out the shifts in thought so needed to help resolve this and other problems.
Steven Price
San Rafael, Calif.
Hypocrisy on Putin's Ukraine move
Regarding the April 7 cover story, "How far will he go?," on Russian President Vladimir Putin's aggressive moves in Ukraine: If, to protect itself from potential threats, the United States can justify invading countries near the Russian sphere of influence, how can the US deny Russia the same justification when it comes to a country it borders?
There is, of course, little justification in either claim. But the Monitor's coverage (and that of other media outlets) seems to suggest that what's good for the goose is not good for the gander.
M. Orend
Woodland Hills, Calif.