The Militant - November 7, 2005 -- Letters

Vol. 69/No. 43 November 7, 2005

Letters

Wilma and ‘civilized hyenas’
Lenin once referred to capitalists as “civilized hyenas.” The October 20 Chicago Tribune gives a good example of why that’s an apt description. In an article on Hurricane Wilma, which, as of that day’s final edition, had winds of 155 mph and threatened serious damage to Florida’s west coast, the reporter wrote the following: “Beyond that, another ray of hope [my emphasis] emerged: If Wilma rams into Mexico’s Yucatan region, its anticipated right turn toward Florida could be significantly altered and the system’s strength could weaken further.”

This is the mindset developed under capitalism. My co-workers and I were appalled at the barbaric view of the world signaled by the idea that a natural disaster befalling people in Yucatan would be more desirable than one befalling Floridians.

John Votava
Berwyn, Illinois

Nationalize energy industry
Considering the recent crises and the indefensible position of the capitalists (especially their energy policy), wouldn’t demands for nationalizing the energy industries be logical and acceptable to big layers of workers at this time, say for an editorial?

Allan Grady
West St. Paul, Minnesota

Thanks. We agree.
—Editor

Help for Gulf Coast teams
Find enclosed a check to help with the Militant’s coverage of Katrina/Rita and other expenses. Your coverage of those social disasters has been excellent. And congratulations on the start of the sub drive. The response to the Militant and the struggles breaking out bode well for us!

Phil Norris
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Thanks for the contribution, which arrived along with seven others for a total of $365. We urge readers to continue giving generously to help us send more reporting teams to the Gulf Coast.
—Editor

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