Dear Mr. Read:
I urge the Department of Justice to drop the April 11th suit against Apple and five publishers who are accused of colluding to limit price competition for ebooks. I’m particularly troubled by the suit’s claim that “Together, Apple and the Publisher Defendants reached an agreement whereby retail price competition would cease (which all conspirators desired), retail e-book prices would increase significantly (which the Publisher Defendants desired), and Apple would be guaranteed a 30 percent ‘commission’ on each e-book it sold (which Apple desired)” (p. 3). I fail to see how collusion could exist, let alone be driven by these reasons, when the consequences of the agency model have actually allowed for a wider variety of prices of ebooks.
As an author, I value the...
Lifestyle
Dear Mr. Green,
I’ve just finished reading “An Abundance of Katherines” and have previously read: “The Fault in Our Stars,” “Looking for Alaska,” and “Will Grayson, Will Grayson.” As a woman of 40+ plus I have probably read more of your books than many of my peers. My oldest daughter, who is 17, and her friends are huge fans of your work and I read the above-listed books at her suggestion. I must admit that I have enjoyed your writing style, your penchant for weaving characters together, your ability to keep the reader interested throughout and your sense of humor.
Sadly, there is a part of your writing that I have not enjoyed….your repeated use of the word “retarded” and its many iterations as a slur. My youngest son, who is 2 years old, was born with Down syndrome. He was born...
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Dear Awesome,
I love you. Like most contemporary English speakers, in fact, I probably love you a little too much. The thing about you, Awesome, is that Awesome is just so Awesomely Awesome at being Awesome… So we lose track of what you really mean, Awesome. You’re not just cool, you’re terrifying and wonderful. You’re knees-buckling, chest-tightening, fearful encounters with something radically Other, something that we know could both crush and bless us. THAT is Awe, and I apologize for having watered you down.
But seriously. You’re Awesome.
Best Wishes,
John Green
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Dear John Green haters,
Here's something I've been wanting to say for a long time.
Can we please stop hating on John Green for his success?
I'm not talking to those of you who just dislike John Green's books. That's a perfectly valid opinion, and you're completely entitled to it. No, I'm talking to the people who seem to dislike John Green as a person, simply because of his extreme popularity.
This argument—that John Green is somehow a lesser author and person because of his fame—makes no sense to me. Here's why:
John Green didn't ask for his popularity, and as far as I can tell, he never acts entitled. He never said, "Hey, wouldn't it be great if I were the most popular YA author ever, and lots of other writers didn't get the attention they deserve?" In fact, he is the...
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Part time Dads- I’m glad you came to the park. I know you don’t get to spend enough time with your children. I know you’re trying to give mom a break. She deserves it. She’s exhausted and burnt out. And I know you’re uncomfortable, this is new territory for you. You don’t spend every day immersing yourself in kid friendly activities. You don’t recognize anyone here from Gymboree or swim class and you have no idea what cartoon characters your kids are play-acting right now. You haven’t had a chance to learn the subtleties and nuances of the unspoken park social code, and you have no clue how to interact with anyone here. That being said, what I wish I could say to part time dads is: please just sit quietly with your discomfort for an hour or so.
I can see the children playing makes you...
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Dear Empath,
We make a great pair you and I.
I have a big broken hole inside of me, and you fill a lot of it, when you are giving and seeing your love and care light up others. Even though I don’t have a lot to give in return—I loved receiving what you have. At least until I woke up to it.
I was the narcissist.
I didn’t know I was the narcissist—I was just really unhappy with my life, and I was looking for that exact right thing that would fill the hole.
When I met a gentle and loving person, they gave me a great lift and made me feel wonderful, I just didn’t have it in me to return the favour—even though I actually did want to. Eventually, the emptiness in me would return, and I would question the value of the relationship I was in and start looking for a new lift. I didn’...
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Dear Mom,
It was never intended for a son to be at his mother’s wedding. The fact that I am writing this letter demonstrates that something awful has occurred in the past. It is not the way it is supposed to be. Shalom, meaning God with us, has been vandalized in some way shape or form. I know this because in the Garden, before sin had ever scarred our souls, things happened as they were designed to happen. A man would leave his father and hold tight to his wife, and they would become one flesh – being fruitful, creating together without toil, separation, heartache, manipulation, brain tumors or any other adversities. A son watching his mother celebrate her union with a man who is not his father, this is something you certainly do not find in the Garden.
With that said, I want you...
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Dear Jesse Hill,
Greetings to you and your family. I wish you all health, prosperity and happiness in the coming year and beyond. As I am sure you know, family is what this holiday is all about. So while you are enjoying the company and warmth of your family, I would like you to consider a few things. Earlier this year you made a mistake. Because of that mistake there is an entire family whose Christmas will be sad, painful and empty this year. It may have been an accident, Jesse, but it was your fault. It was your actions that led to the accident that killed an innocent human being. A citizen who you took an oath to serve and protect. You broke that oath, Jesse. And in doing so you took away Autumn Steele, a daughter, mother, sister, wife, cousin and friend.
Since we both know that...
6,804
Dear Maggi,
If you end up getting banned, I’m definitely going to miss you.
I don’t remember the first time I ate you, but I carry fond memories of how my working mother used to hurriedly prepare you for my sister and me before leaving for work.
During my growing up years, my mother tells me, you were a constant succour for her – she knew that in case she was late from work and unable to prepare something ‘good’, you, dear Maggi, were always there.
Although you won’t be cooked in two minutes, as they sang in the ads, yet we all had full faith in your ability to satisfy our bellies.
I remember debates on whether you tasted best soupy or dry, with cheese or butter, with eggs or vegetables. Those were the times when your variants like ‘atta’ hadn’t arrived on the...
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Dearest Loved Ones,
Your perfume is killing me. I mean it almost literally.
It’s also affecting our friendship. I can’t hug you, and so you might have noticed my stepping back when we meet up.
I can’t risk dining with you in a confined space and so you might have noticed I’ve been suggesting we meet for a walk instead.
Actually, I probably haven’t always been so subtle. I’ve probably hurt your feelings a bit. This is because perfume, for me, is like a whack in the noggin; I strike out to protect myself.
I’m so, so, so sorry.
I’ve toyed with this a while: how to let you know that I just can’t cope when you wear fragrance (perfume, strong hair product, powerful deodorant, etc.) I know it seems like a personal attack on your very essence.
But let me assure you, your...
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