November 6-12, 2003

mailbag

Letters to the Editor

by the Readers

Ye of Little Faith

Howard Altman writes a great column appealing to the better in all of us as Philadelphians to vote not for race [Slant, Howard Altman, Oct. 30, 2003], but for what is right for our city. As I write this it is Nov. 3; we know John Street is our next mayor, again. Philadelphia will not vote for what is best. Philadelphia will vote for a man who used race as a tool to appear victimized. Philadelphia will vote to continue four more years where the "bruthas and the sistas still be runnin' the city." Philadelphia will vote for the likes of John Street and Jannie Blackwell, who promise more goods and benefits somehow paid for from shrinking public coffers. Four more years of ìwe beat the whitesî arrogance on the buses and the trolleys, a hollow victory as they watch the whites and middle class who pay for all the wonderful social services put their homes up for sale and hightail it for more viable places to live.

I like Howard Altman and I like what he writes. I am just sorry that he misplaces his faith in the Philadelphia electorate.

I ask one really simple question: How well would Street have done if the Republicans had run an African-American candidate?

Charles Towsley
West Philadelphia

I was quite surprised when the City Paper came out supporting John Street for re-election. Just remember Philadelphia: A vote for John Street is actually a vote for City Council president (currently Anna Verna), as once [he] goes to prison, that's who's going to be running this city. John Street is a fraud, racist and thief, and does not deserve to hold the office of mayor of this historic city. I truly think City Paper is taking the liberal stance too far.

Richard Penn
Center City

I just finished reading the interview with Mayor Street ["What’s Bugging Him?," Howard Altman, Oct. 23, 2003]. It gives one more bit of evidence that news people are more of a problem than politicians. You seem to have a one-track mind.

Mr. Bush continues to speak of the Democrats as a ìtax and spendî party. The Republicans are a war, debt and dirty-tricks party. I consider myself neither a conservative nor a liberal, but the lies and deceit of the current party in power in Washington, D.C., is despicable. The bugging of the mayor's office is an attempt to capture the state of Pennsylvania for the Republicans.

Wake up.

Albert Bary
via e-mail

We're Still Here!

Bruce Schimmel seems to think public radio isn't what it used to be [ìChain Public Radio,î Loose Canon, Oct. 30, 2003]. We agree: It's better than ever. During our recent membership campaign, 7,800 people donated more than $560,000 to support the unmatched combination of local and national programming that is our hallmark. And the latest audience survey shows an all-time-record 416,500 people tune to WHYY-FM every week. We're glad Schimmel is among them.

Christine Dempsey

Director, radio programming
WHYY