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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us March 2, 2006 LETTERS: at length Beware of columnists, not daycare providers By Sara Simon Ashland Jennifer Margulis’ column, (“The dangers of daycare are many,” Feb. 20) seemed to be, at best, a blatant advertisement for a book that perpetuates the nasty, judgmental side of the social conservatives that we liberals, in favor of peace and progressive change, work against. At worst, it was a reminder of how biting our words can be when we decide to be unduly critical of the personal choices of others, and how wrong and short-sighted our opinions can be, not to mention self-aggrandizing. I recognize how difficult it can be to look at others’ choices that differ from our own and not be quick to judge against them and thereby boost our assertions that our own choices are superior and altruistic, even benevolent contributions to society. I wonder if on that day at the park where Margulis saw the three daycare providers, two “dangerously overweight,” were there seven kids at the park, or were there eight? See, she disregarded a whole child but managed to notice the difference between the girths of the adults. She criticized the book-cover model mother in the tight-fitting, olive-green power suit who “spends time on her appearance” and “keeps fit” and also criticizes the people she assumes do not. Maybe the problem has less to do with our society being too quick to put our kids in the care of others than our society’s willingness to accept the lower standards accompanying the least expensive childcare? We devalue high-quality childcare in continuing to attract only the least qualified by, as a society, paying them such a pittance. Maybe the problem in our society has less to do with choosing childcare over staying at home and more to do with allowing poor childcare environments to exist so that we don’t have to pay more for better ones? Maybe, Ms. Margulis, we could spend a little less time being critical of others and more time being compassionate helpers toward solutions that work for all of us, especially our children. Please try to refrain from making those of us who make choices unlike yours seem so villainous and uncaring. Just because I like having a roof for my kids doesn’t mean I don’t like spending all the minutes of the day with them. My kids are, without a doubt, in good hands when I am at work and school...so much so that I can even manage a trip to the gym now and then (imagine the selfishness!). The fact that I am not with them 24-7 works well for our one-parent household. Who is Jennifer Margulis, and for that matter who is the extremely dangerous Mary Eberstadt, to assume otherwise? Column makes important point Jennifer Margulis’s recent article concerning daycare was incisive and well-written and vivid and poignant. She has said something important here. As a Ph.D. and mother of three, I am frustrated by couples who choose to have (multiple) kids then choose to place them in a lot of daycare. Of course, there are fine establishments out there, and I hear people putting forth all kinds of rationale, but I am firmly of the belief that nothing can replace the one-on-one attention that a parent (or nurturing occasional in-home care) can provide. One explanation for the reaction Dr. Margulis has received — and she mentions this in the article — is that our era’s feminist leanings make this decision more difficult for mothers, but my opinion is that if these women choose the kids, they should make the commitment to spend time at home with them. Kimberly Chisholm Menlo Park, Calif. Hunting columnist clueless on hunting By Thomas Stinson Sr. Ashland I see that Case in Point is “designed to provide in-depth commentary” on current events. One is left to wonder who edits these commentaries. I presume, if Chris Honore’ wrote a piece on the dangers of 300-pound chihuahuas, someone would look askance. But when Chris decries the power of 16-pound shotgun loads (“300, 7/8 ounce pellets”) or 1-pound (“535 grams”) rifle bullets, neither of which exists, no one raised an eyebrow? This column, “A hunt involves more than this” (Feb. 27) is hardly in-depth. It contains so many inaccuracies that it isn’t even remotely credible. Credibility and accuracy aside, Chris believes that hunting is about “killing something.” Most people in this country eat meat. It doesn’t die of old age. That makes most of us responsible for some amount of killing.That responsibility is in no way diminished by having someone else kill it for us. Nor does killing it ourselves increase the responsibility. Contrary to Chris’ innuendo, hunting is anything but a sure thing. Statistics reveal a majority of hunters come home empty handed. If it was all about killing, there would be no motivation to go. Hunting involves fair chase. There is no such thing in the slaughter house. Hunters are profoundly aware of the costs of their choices. That awareness is somewhat diminished for those who buy the little red lumps wrapped in styrofoam and plastic down at the local food mart. Hunters choose to be intimately connected to nature, to the process, to the ultimate truth that we all exist because we consume other organisms. If one is to find fault in these things, it should be done with more than inaccuracies and hyperbole. Anything less casts a “shroud of sadness” not on hunting, but on the journalistic process itself. The Tidings gives priority to letters on local and regional topics of current interest. It seeks to encourage thoughtful, well-reasoned letters and to discourage personal attacks, repetitive messages and personal disputes. Form letters are not published in the Tidings, nor are letters identified as having been published in other publications. Contributions to the Opinion page should be e-mailed in text-only format to [email protected]. Please include your address and a daytime phone number where you can be reached for confirmation. Letters are limited to 250 words. At Length submissions are limited to 400 words. 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