Letters to the Editor

by the Readers

Rubbed Wrong

Bravo to the young woman who refused to become a victim ["Royal Flushed," Helen i-lin Hwang, March 11, 2004]. I urge consumers of "massage" to take this article along to their next session and speak with their practitioner about his or her training and credentials. In the massage field the two are not the same, nor is a family tree a credential! The real power to end these criminal businesses is owned by the consumers. One method is to seek credentialed practitioners from professional association Web sites such as the American Massage Therapy Association (www.amtamassage.org), the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (www.abmp.com), or the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (www.aobta.org).

I implore the public not to view those of us who have earned appropriate credentials as sex workers and sexual predators. It may be useful to note that the Pennsylvania community of legitimate practitioners has attempted several times, as recently as last October, to enact legislation governing the practice of massage, muscle and other bodywork therapies (HB 2078). This is a bill that would address many of the concerns related to the article, as well as provide for a fair, accessible credential for the commonwealth's practitioners. Consumers can contact their legislators to speed the passage of this or a similar law.

Peter W. DiOrio, Assistant Director
Massage Arts Center of Philadelphia

A Pain in the Gas

I, too, opened my gas bill and was floored ["Gas Pains," Gale Warning, Daryl Gale, March 11, 2004]. I have been living at my residence since 1976 and have never had a gas bill anywhere near $65. I live alone and only use gas for cooking.

I called the gas company and was told a different story than you were told. I was told that my last reading was an estimate. Isn't it true that a while back we were told that the gas company needed more money so that they could implement a new program whereby they would be able to read the meters from outside our homes? If that were true, then why would I have an estimated bill? I heat my home with oil, and I am so very glad that I do. Come summer I will not still be paying a gas bill. Then again, I might, because I only sent the gas company $20 of the $65 that they said I owe. Normally, my gas bill is between $15 and $19 a month.

I think it is a disgrace that the gas bill is almost as high as a mortgage payment for some people, or higher. Not only are we being told that the gas company needs more money, the water department is jumping on the bandwagon, too. We all might as well forget about luxuries like clothes and furniture and just concentrate on gas, water, electric and food; those are the only things we need for survival anyway.

I feel really bad for the people who cannot pay their bills now, and there will be more.

I think there should be a revolt, everyone should ban together and not let the new gas (bill) pass.

Joyce Dennis
Philadelphia

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