Dear Youth Dance Competition Organizers and Judges,
First of all, I would like to start by thanking you for providing a forum for my daughter to express her passion. At 10 years old, she revels in the opportunity to move her body and pour her feelings and creativity into music and movement. Even when she isn’t training, she will most often spend her free time choreographing new routines and practicing the moves that have turned her into a strong and athletic young girl. And make no mistake, she is an athlete. And this is in no small part due to the focused training she undertakes in preparation for competition.
Like any competitive sport, there are things that I don’t love about dance – the incredibly high cost, the countless hours that make family dinners all but a distant memory...
Lifestyle
Dear Gentleman Dancing Behind Me,
It has come to my attention that many men feel there is supreme injustice done unto the male gender in the nightclub industry. Although I don’t completely disagree that there is some financial inequality into which many men buy, I don’t believe women are to blame. If you are the type of person to buy someone a $15 cocktail out of the goodness of your heart without expecting to end the night with that person on top of you, I commend you — but I am not entirely sure you really exist.
I’m aware that cleavage has become a currency of sorts, but let us remember who chooses to accept it. But, before you claim that our physical differences have spared us from nighttime financial burden, let’s remember that men can get away with rotating dress clothes in...
2,168
Dear Abby Lee Miller,
Your show, Dance Moms has been on for three years now. We’ve been watching your dancers grow up before our very eyes. It’s very clear to the rest of us how talented, kind and beautiful they are. Many of us wonder why you can’t see it for yourself. It seems you will never be happy until you have broken them, with the obvious exception of your favorite one. What kind of a teacher does that? How can you justify setting your own students up to fail…on national TV?! Doesn’t it kill you to see your own students suffering from panic and anxiety because of your actions?
Do you realize what a huge impact you’re having on those girls’ lives? Do you realize that they look up to you? Do you know how much they seek your approval (for whatever reason). And it comes across...
2,448
Dear Aging Hippies Dancing at the Tinariwen Concert,
There is not a culture in the world honored by your whack-ass dancing. You, woman with the long grey hair, dancing right in front of the stage, don’t do that, what you’re doing there. It’s not good. And you, next to her, same thing. I know the music is good, but this is no way to respond. They are like wizards casting a spell on us. You should be mesmerized, rocking hypnotically, but you are doing some weird kind of twitch.
Notice how the band is dancing. Small movements, practiced movements, deliberate movements. They are elegant. Yes, they are moving their limbs and you are moving yours, but there the similarities end. You are not doing the same dance they are doing. You are not one with them, they with slight tilts of the hand...
2,418
Dear HIV,
I hope you're well. It's been a while since I've written, and I want to take a moment to acknowledge you as another year begins.
You'll recall the contract I required you to sign seven years ago when you took up residence in my body. In this contract, I conceded that your continued tenancy comes with these parameters:
You will be quiet.
You will not procreate.
You will not aggravate, vex, poison, or in any other way influence the cells and functions of the other organs and processes in my body.
You will occupy a small, windowless, doorless space approximately the size of the tip of a stickpin in a deep reservoir inside my body, where you will have no nourishment, no visitors, and no hope of escape.
Thank you, HIV, for respecting the simple parameters of this...
3,306
Dear Minister Loverdos,
The European Disability Forum (EDF) and Human Rights Watch are writing to you to express our deep concern about reports of inhumane and degrading conditions at the Children's Care Center of Lechaina ("the care center") in Ilias Prefecture. EDF's national member in Greece, the National Confederation of Disabled People, has intervened a number of times to the government, to the Ombudsman for the Rights of the Child, Mr. Giorgios Moschos, and in the media. Human Rights Watch raised concerns about the center during a meeting with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health, Mr. Giorgos Katrivanos, in February 2011.
According to reports by the Greek Deputy Ombudsman for the Rights of the Child, Mr. Giorgos Moschos, the Inspection Body for Health Services and...
2,431
Dear Krissi
I love you. My heart is full. I don’t know where to begin.
You may think I don’t understand you and what you’re feeling but remember, Baby, I lost my mom when I was just a child. So, I do know some of the sadness and loneliness of your life since your mom passed away.
Although I know her spirit is with you always, I cry with you and for you. I grieve with you and for you … for all of the days and nights you need to tell her something or ask her advice or just hear her voice … and she’s not there. For all of the times when you need to put your head in her lap or feel her arms around you and she’s not there … For the good and happy times you want to share with her; for the fun and laughter you enjoyed together, but she’s not there … for every day and every night you...
2,653
Dear Minister Aglukkaq,
As health professionals and supporters of a strong public health care system, we are writing to express our deep concern about the potential approval of Canadian Plasma Resources operations, and the lack of significant public policy consideration and consultation on this important issue.
In April, a single consultation in Toronto was held to provide information to a small number of stakeholders and discuss the impacts of paid donor plasma facilities. The results of that discussion were mixed at best concerning the viability of such a significant shift in our blood collection process and only a limited number of groups were invited to participate. This left out a significant number of individuals and organizations who would like the opportunity to be further...
2,485
Dear Mr Little,
Like you, I've been thinking really hard about how the hell we can get John Key and his corporate bandits out of government before they have so fatally destroyed our democracy that it is irretrievable (I fear we're very close.)
I'd like to very humbly offer some suggestions that I really hope you will take seriously; ideas that I have spoken about to a wide range of people and which I believe would give Labour the best chance of winning the next election. They're radical. They will take bravery. But I think you are the man to do it. I trust that you are ethical, and I truly believe that you want to see New Zealand return to a country where we support each other and offer hands-up to those less fortunate than ourselves, rather than blame them and pull away all their...
2,742
Dear Sir,
'Flood Gates opened for Ghanaian Doctors: the Resurgence of "Brain Drain" '
More than anytime in the history of this country there are many Medical Officers who are unemployed.
Similarly, there are many newly-qualified doctors waiting to be posted to start House Job but have not been posted for close to seven months. The temporary period of idleness and the apparent frustration of these doctors are avenues for exit from the country. Prompt posting of these doctors and House Officers will not only help the district hospitals, but also will avoid the re-emergence of the "brain drain" a situation that will spell untold consequences for Ghana.
Background
About 10 to 12 years ago, the exodus of Ghanaian doctors to other countries particularly the US and UK was very...
2,317