Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The Other Michael · 07-22-2002, 05:09 AM

It showed up in today's SF Chronicle.

It was in ref to a <a href="http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/07/18/ED203657.DTL" target="_blank">Debra J. Saunders column</a> in last week's paper, and my letter is about one-half way down on <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2002/07/22/ED63957.DTL" target="_blank">this page</a>.

It isn't anything fancy, just a chance to use an argument that has appeared on II.

cheers,
Michael

GaryP · 07-22-2002, 09:22 AM

Congratulations!!

Hope you have an opportunity to write more in the future, too.

The Other Michael · 07-22-2002, 10:42 AM

Hi GaryP,

I'd much rather have everything go my way, where I didn't have to write in about things that irritate me.

cheers,
Michael

GaryP · 07-22-2002, 11:04 AM

Michael--

AMEN, brother!

Shadowy Man · 07-23-2002, 08:24 AM

Michael: Great letter. Very succinct!

The Other Michael · 07-23-2002, 08:29 AM

Hi Shadowy Man,

I did spend some time paring it down, figuring that the shorter it was the more likely it was to be printed.

Then I went through and deleted anything that might be perceived as an ad hom attack (I thought leaving in just the "foaming at the mouth" was very restrained of me).

I was trying to go for a letter that could be from a pro-CSsep theist as well as a non-believer.

What did you guys think of the Debra Saunder's article? She's no Ann Coulter, but still gets a bit tedious at times.

cheers,
Michael

GaryP · 07-23-2002, 10:06 AM

It seems to me that she is simply trying to trivilize the issue. And I just can't understand whether Mr. Newdow's daughter is a christian, atheist or whatever, as a taxpayer and a citizen, he has the right to help raise his daughter as he sees fit,as far as religion is concerned.

And she is no Ann Coulter, but then who is?

The Admiral · 07-24-2002, 01:51 PM

Michael;

Congratulations. By coincidence I had a letter printed in this mornings paper. I have been writing to the editor for about 10 years now and have probably had 15 to 20 letters printed in that time and only a few rejected. I have received very little flak and have never been threatened. Most people who criticise me just say how sorry they are that a nice person like me is going to have to burn in hell forever for rejecting their loving and forgiving god.

Letters to the editor is one of the best tools we have available to us to keep it before the public eye that we are here. And they are free. Keep up the good work.

The Admiral

Shake · 07-24-2002, 08:31 PM

Michael,
If you don't mind too much, I'd like to use your letter as a basis for one here on the other side of the country. I think more people need to hear this particular argument. I think it's a good one!

Thanx,
Shake

Shadowy Man · 07-25-2002, 05:48 AM

Michael, shorter is definitely better. By putting your argument so concisely, one has to respond to the argument if one is to respond to your letter. They can't grab onto extraneous details you might have put in, because nothing is extraneous in your letter.

Beautiful!

07-22-2002, 05:09 AM	#1
The Other Michael Honorary Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In the fog of San Francisco Posts: 12,631	Finally got a letter published It showed up in today's SF Chronicle. It was in ref to a <a href="http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/07/18/ED203657.DTL" target="_blank">Debra J. Saunders column</a> in last week's paper, and my letter is about one-half way down on <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2002/07/22/ED63957.DTL" target="_blank">this page</a>. It isn't anything fancy, just a chance to use an argument that has appeared on II. cheers, Michael

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

07-22-2002, 09:22 AM	#2
GaryP Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lancaster, OH Posts: 1,792	Congratulations!! Hope you have an opportunity to write more in the future, too.

07-22-2002, 10:42 AM	#3
The Other Michael Honorary Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In the fog of San Francisco Posts: 12,631	Hi GaryP, I'd much rather have everything go my way, where I didn't have to write in about things that irritate me. cheers, Michael

07-22-2002, 11:04 AM	#4
GaryP Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lancaster, OH Posts: 1,792	Michael-- AMEN, brother!

07-23-2002, 08:24 AM	#5
Shadowy Man Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: A Shadowy Planet Posts: 7,585	Michael: Great letter. Very succinct!

07-23-2002, 08:29 AM	#6
The Other Michael Honorary Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In the fog of San Francisco Posts: 12,631	Hi Shadowy Man, I did spend some time paring it down, figuring that the shorter it was the more likely it was to be printed. Then I went through and deleted anything that might be perceived as an ad hom attack (I thought leaving in just the "foaming at the mouth" was very restrained of me). I was trying to go for a letter that could be from a pro-CSsep theist as well as a non-believer. What did you guys think of the Debra Saunder's article? She's no Ann Coulter, but still gets a bit tedious at times. cheers, Michael

07-23-2002, 10:06 AM	#7
GaryP Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lancaster, OH Posts: 1,792	It seems to me that she is simply trying to trivilize the issue. And I just can't understand whether Mr. Newdow's daughter is a christian, atheist or whatever, as a taxpayer and a citizen, he has the right to help raise his daughter as he sees fit,as far as religion is concerned. And she is no Ann Coulter, but then who is?

07-24-2002, 01:51 PM	#8
The Admiral Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Racine, Wi. USA Posts: 768	Michael; Congratulations. By coincidence I had a letter printed in this mornings paper. I have been writing to the editor for about 10 years now and have probably had 15 to 20 letters printed in that time and only a few rejected. I have received very little flak and have never been threatened. Most people who criticise me just say how sorry they are that a nice person like me is going to have to burn in hell forever for rejecting their loving and forgiving god. Letters to the editor is one of the best tools we have available to us to keep it before the public eye that we are here. And they are free. Keep up the good work. The Admiral

07-24-2002, 08:31 PM	#9
Shake Contributor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Folding@Home in upstate NY Posts: 14,394	Michael, If you don't mind too much, I'd like to use your letter as a basis for one here on the other side of the country. I think more people need to hear this particular argument. I think it's a good one! Thanx, Shake

07-25-2002, 05:48 AM	#10
Shadowy Man Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: A Shadowy Planet Posts: 7,585	Michael, shorter is definitely better. By putting your argument so concisely, one has to respond to the argument if one is to respond to your letter. They can't grab onto extraneous details you might have put in, because nothing is extraneous in your letter. Beautiful!

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.