Befuddling culture

Carlos Alberto Montaner in his July 24 Other Views column, Chávez’s allure, Venezuela’s disaster, quotes Winston Churchill regarding the Soviet Union’s foreign policy, “It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” Actually, Churchill referred to Russia and not to the Soviet Union specifically.

The difference isn’t inconsequential in understanding Russia and Russians. Russia, a mix of European and Asian influences, the Russian soul and over 1,000 years of culture, has befuddled Westerners before and after the Soviet era.

Robert S. Steinberg, Palmetto Bay

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‘First 48’ exploits victims of crime

Thank you for your recent coverage of the city of Miami Police Chief Manuel Orosa’s decision not to renew a contract with the reality show The First 48. For years the show’s film crew has roamed the streets of Miami’s urban communities searching for victims of homicide to feature on their show.
Spiritual or religious?

Martin Slater’s May 17 letter, Changing beliefs, responding to Myriam Marquez’s May 12 column makes the common mistake of equating religion and spirituality. While religions encourage the development of our spiritual sense, religious dogmas are unnecessary to cultivate one’s own sense of spirituality. Many nonreligious individuals are highly spiritual, keenly in tune with their inner-self and the concept of a creative universal force.
DCF is disgraceful

Re the May 21 article DCF deemed boy safe before he was left in vehicle: It’s unbelievable that the Department of Children & Families would do absolutely nothing about a woman who reportedly was drunk and driving, hitting walls and passing out while her young son was in the car untethered.

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