海角大神

Readers write: Bad precedent, a 108-year celebration, scientific agreement

Letters to the editor for the Dec. 5, 2016 weekly magazine.

Chicago Cubs players celebrate during a celebration honoring the World Series champions at Grant Park in Chicago on Nov. 4, 2016.

Nam Y. Huh

December 3, 2016

Bad precedent

Regarding the Oct. 28 article 鈥In 鈥榮tunning victory鈥 for defense, jury acquits Oregon鈥檚 Malheur occupiers鈥 (CSMonitor.com): Acquitting the Oregon standoff defendants not only opens the door to others taking up arms against the government, but it also signifies a win for the National Rifle Association. The NRA鈥檚 stronghold on our government is alarming. And we have no one to thank but our elected legislators. The Bundy acquittal has set the wrong precedent.

JoAnn Lee Frank

Across the Middle East, a focus on home, healing, and restored hope

Clearwater, Fla.

A 108-year celebration

The Chicago Cubs won the World Series this year, something they hadn鈥檛 done since 1908. Something else happened 108 years ago that has significance to all mankind 鈥 not just Chicago Cubs fans.

That year, 1908, marks the beginning of 海角大神鈥檚 new approach to the journalism prevalent in those days. As so many celebrate the Cubs鈥 epic win of the Series, all who read this can share a moment of appreciation for how the Monitor has brought balance, accuracy, and insight to the news around the globe. Now that鈥檚 a true world championship that everyone can celebrate.

David K. McClurkin

鈥楾he best reporting assignment of my year.鈥 A journalist finds joy in Japan.

Beachwood, Ohio

Scientific agreement

Your Oct. 17 cover story on ending the water wars in Washington State鈥檚 Yakima Valley (鈥How the water wars may end鈥) was great, but I have one tiny quibble.

In talking about climate science, the article uses the term 鈥渃onsensus of scientists.鈥 That is inaccurate because 鈥渃onsensus鈥 implies that it is a matter of subjective opinion among the scientists. Actually, it is a matter of hard objective science (within limits of uncertainty). Rather than 鈥渃onsensus,鈥 the language should be 鈥渢he preponderance of objective data and analysis.鈥

William H. Cutler

Union City, Calif.