Letter: In defense of Rich’s extensive vocabulary

Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007 | 1:03 a.m.

Regarding a letter I read by Joseph D. Olson in the Aug. 16 Las Vegas Sun at McCarran International Airport on my way home:

Mr. Olson complained that Frank Rich uses too many unusual words in his column. The reader says that he has to keep running to the dictionary to look them up. He thinks that means Mr. Rich is pompous.

I had the honor of meeting Mr. Rich once in New York, and I can assure you he is anything but pompous. He is a very down-to-earth, friendly guy. He took 10 minutes of his time to personally show my spouse and I around Times Square.

Frank Rich isn't pompous, he's educated. I like his column just the way it is. The reader who complained should appreciate the education the column gives him. Running to the dictionary is good mental and physical exercise.

Alan L. Light,

How could President Bush's approval rating have risen?

Is the opinion of Americans like degrees, that go up and down on a thermometer? This is a vacillation that defies rational thought and awareness in arriving at a judgment.

To enumerate all of the un-American and offensive decisions of George Bush's presidency would make a book. From the infusion of pain and death in Iraq to the situation of the financial systems in this country - what has he done that Americans can condone? Let's add to that Scooter Libby's commutation.

Businesses are not thriving, and banks now are borrowing money to enable them to grant credit - but watch the interest you will have to pay for a loan. Stocks are falling - China is eating our lunch and dinner.

Don't blame the Congress - Bush still has his henchmen to obstruct their legislation. After 17 more months of Bush, will that 35 percent still give him a thumbs-up?

Madelyn Olds,