Web Letters: Open Letter to Laura Bush

By Sharon Olds

This article appeared in the October 10, 2005 edition of The Nation.

September 19, 2005

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  • I can't understand why Sharon Olds would write something such as this and have it published as opposed to submitting it privately with some dignity.

    Instead, she submits it to The Nation for everyone to see, as if she's a high school sophomore seeking the approval of the popular kids (in this case the limousine liberals she calls friends).

    "See, see what I did?!" I can almost hear her gleefully exclaiming. "Now they'll take me seriously..."

    It is both sickening and embarrassing.

    Ken Flott

    Revere, MA

    12/27/2008 @ 2:22pm


  • Sharon Olds has clearly done much admirable work in her life. Her compassion and empathy are demonstrated by actions that help improve peoples' lives every day.

    That being said, her understanding and awareness of the implications and effects of US foreign policy fall straight into the whiny and wanna feel good "war-is-bad", "I don't want my country to do anything that makes me uncomfortable", trash bin under the desk of responsible foreign policy analysts.

    To quote Michael Moore, no friend of the administration or the war, but plainly a person with occasional insight, "Americans are possibly the dumbest people on the planet. ...We Americans suffer from an enforced ignorance. We don't know about anything that's happening outside our country. Our stupidity is embarrassing."

    The arrogant ignorance of Sharon Olds is embarrassing.

    Lily Downing

    Forest Hills, NY

    04/20/2007 @ 09:41am


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