Chess and the game of life
Re "It takes many moves to locate chess whiz," July 23
Nice story; it's refreshing to read some positive pieces once in a while. We need more of them.
And since my second son and I play chess online, I would love to play a game with Dyhemia Young. Actually, the person I really would like her to play is my son, as he beats me all the time!
Good wishes to the young chess whiz, not only in this tournament but for the future. Hang in there Dyhemia — you can make it to wherever you choose to go in life. Remember, it's just another version of a chess game.
Ed Hieshetter
San Diego
Partisan politics get us nowhere
Re "The public burns as politicians fiddle," July 28, and "Wall St. scrambles on debt threat," July 27
The strict partisan politics in Washington are slowly choking the country to death. Our representatives are more concerned with tearing down their opponents than governing the country. The negativity on both sides of the aisle is astounding.
Real leaders do not lash out and grandstand to make a point. Real leaders listen thoughtfully to the other side's position and forge ahead in an attempt to bring opposing sides closer together.
What we have now in Washington is systemic bullying on both sides, and our country is weaker for it.
Think about what would happen if all elections were made nonpartisan. The lemmings in Congress would be forced to understand the issues rather than to simply follow party politics. With the safety and security of their respective parties removed, voters would be forced to do the same.
Mike Piccard
Canyon Country
I can afford to pay more on my capital gains and income over $250,000. What I can't afford is to have my entire wealth jeopardized by the current Republican inability to come to an agreement between themselves and Democrats, to the great peril of our national economy.
We have to have revenue increases — close loopholes, cancel the Bush tax cuts (which have not created jobs or helped small business) for the top 1%, adjust tax rates on hedge funds and capital gains, get rid of oil subsidies, even if temporarily — to get some breathing room to solve the bigger problems.
Stop the insanity of just cutting spending. The middle class and poor shouldn't have to bear the whole burden, and it doesn't take an economist to see that cuts alone aren't enough.
Dianne Wehenkel
San Diego
With over 60 years as a physician, it is incomprehensible to me that we now have a major epidemic of acute short-term memory loss among Republicans.
They forget that when George W. Bush took office, there was a substantial surplus. But with the Bush tax cuts, a botched war in Afghanistan, an unneeded war in Iraq — all unfunded — plus the fact that Bush never found a spending bill he did not like, that surplus rapidly dissipated.
The recession was already in place when President Obama took office. Obama did contribute to the deficit, but that was necessary due to the massive spending of Bush-Cheney.
The first thing we learned in Business 101 was that income had to exceed expenses to succeed. The present tax code must be revised so everyone pays the same percent.
By the way, I have often voted Republican.
Harry Orme
San Gabriel
Democrats, including the president, need to get on the people's page.
With this constant filling of campaign war chests or their own pockets, our elected officials are forgetting why they are there. They are all there to do the people's business.
Public financing of campaigns is the only way to ensure that our government returns to "of the people, by the people and for the people." Right now it is "of the corporations, by the corporations and for the corporations."
Democrats need to go back to the principles of the party.
Marietta Kruells
Altadena
Carving out a burka exception
Re "First, they'll come for the burkas" July 24
Although I strongly support the writer's view regarding wardrobe "freedom of choice," I take exception to the rationale as it relates to burkas.
With all due respect, she needs to take her head out of the sand on this issue, as France has. The issue isn't about religious freedom; it's about safety. Burkas can shield identities and munitions and bombs carried by individuals.
If you still have doubts, just ask any of our troops in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Ray Perez
Diamond Bar
The author confuses aesthetics with ethics.
Uncovering one's chest or midriff or whatnot is a fashion statement (or lack thereof), but wearing a burka is an ideological and moral one.
This dress represents a veiled (no pun intended) threat and serves as a symbol and a tool of intimidation of both Muslims and non-Muslims.
Kyle Taran
Playa del Rey
There is absolutely nothing free about being required to cover yourself from head to toe in black drapery with only a small slit for your eyes.
This dress has been decided for a woman by her male guardian.
