Web Letters: Civic Virtues

By George Scialabba

This article appeared in the October 27, 2008 edition of The Nation.

October 8, 2008

Write a Web letter about this article.

What's a Web Letter?

Web Letters are continuously published e-mails from real people, signed with their real names. No registration is required. Each article page on The Nation includes a Web Letters link.

Read the best Web Letters on this page.

We're committed to publishing your comments as they are received. We place a red star () on the best submissions and may edit your e-mail for length or content. Your e-mail address will not be published or shared with any third party without your consent.

If you prefer, you may submit a letter to the print edition only.

We look forward to hearing from you.

  • This article demonstrates well what level of mind Gore Vidal had and what direction it would have taken a true nation of readers (such as one we do not currently have), had he had the audience. Think of it: no war on terror (because his thoughts ran counter to those who inflicted terror, only to have it revisited on us), no war in Iraq, none of the Bush/Cheney junta's crimes, no bailout needed (had private business simply done business fairly), and no National Security Act, an act that has morphed and is now seen to have undermined the natural freedoms of regular folks such as you and I. "A mind is a terrible thing to waste" has been a positive mantra since the mid- or late-'70s, initiated by the United Negro College Fund. America, unfortunately, no matter how hard Gore Vidal has tried, has essentially wasted Vidal's valuable and insightful mind.

    Riad Mahayni

    Richmond, VA

    10/10/2008 @ 2:14pm


Advertisement
Advertisement

Blogs

» The Notion

The Just Say No Democrats | Conservative Democrats voting against healthcare reform represent constituents most in need of insurance.
Ari Berman
Posted 28 minutes ago

» Act Now!

The Wall Comes Down | It was twenty years ago today. Watch it live.
Peter Rothberg
16 Comments
Posted at 10:44 ET

» The Beat

Six Smart Progressive Complaints About House Health Bill | Women's groups, patient advocates, unions, anti-corporate congressmen explain what's wrong with "reform" measure as it now stands.
John Nichols
74 Comments
Posted at 10:23 ET

» The Dreyfuss Report

The Deal with Iran | The alarmists, and Bibi, should shut up. There's plenty of time to make the deal with Iran work.
Robert Dreyfuss
18 Comments
Posted at 8:32 ET

» Editor's Cut

Around The Nation | Obama, one year on. Plus: Jeremy Scahill takes your questions, and a new video series from The Nation.
Katrina vanden Heuvel
49 Comments

» Altercation

Slacker Thursday | Dying laptops, recapping the election, the Dow, and the Yankees with the World Series.
Eric Alterman