My partner and I have numerous times thought about moving to another state [News, "Movin' On Out," Doron Taussig, June 22, 2006]. But every time we consider going elsewhere, we consider the freedoms and protections we have in California and decide to stay. Would a gay friendly state attract us to move bringing our tax dollars with us? Yes. But so far, this is the state with the most to offer us.

Andrea Hughes
Los Angeles, Calif.

I'm vegan, but I grew up in the Northeast eating cheesesteaks like everybody else [Food, "Faking Us Out," A.D. Amorosi, June 22, 2006]. This looks like a nice recipe (reminds me of Gourmet to Go's vegan chicken cheesesteak) but I'm glad that she calls it a cheese fake and not a vegan cheesesteak. This recipe is good for what it is, but I think a true vegan cheesesteak is most honestly prepared exactly the same as a traditional cheesesteak. Simply use seitan instead of rib-eye, and vegan cheese instead of Whiz.

Jay Donahue
Center City

A mad-ass baby mama? Yes, Fadia Ward should be very angry for placing her and children into a forever revolving door of poverty, neglect and overall ignorance [Philly Blunt, "Happy Baby Daddy's Day," Brian Hickey, June 22, 2006]. How dare she blame her children's daddies when she is the one who spread her legs to the horrible sweet whispers of their penises without protection? How dare she be a mad-ass mama when she got pregnant at the age of 13? It boggles my mind that a woman so young never thought to protect herself with jimmy hats, birth control or both to prevent getting into such predicaments. Muster compassion? Never for Ms. Ward, but for her children.

Carol D. Tart
South Philadelphia

Good for her. These men are getting away with too much. Women have to take charge of their financial future.

Barbara Tarvydas
Kensington

In response to Romy Scheroder's claim that Satya Boutique is the "only sustainable, sweatshop-free boutique in Philadelphia," I'd like to let her know that she is not actually alone in this endeavor [Fine Print, "The Green Clothier," Gwen Tuxbury, June 8, 2006]. Re:Source is a boutique in West Philadelphia based on the mantra that you can recycle anything. This eclectic storefront at 3620 Lancaster Ave. has been in operation for almost a year featuring creations from more than 40 Philadelphia-based designers, all sharing a passion for recycling and reinventing found/vintage goods. No sweatshops. Environmentally responsible. Whether it be a wallet made from bike tubes, a lamp from a collander or a skirt made from pants, Re:Source asserts that you don't have to be rich to shop responsibly.

Lauren McElroy

L Star Apparel

In [Movies, "Master of Puppets," June 22, 2006], Sam Adams gives an intelligent assessment of director Michael Haneke's films, but I must disagree with his conclusions in the final paragraphs. It is true that Haneke uses disturbing violence in his films and, for this reason, Adams complains that the director ought to apply criticism to himself. Since Haneke denounces movies and television that serve up violence as entertainment, he would indeed be a hypocrite if his films did the same. However, the violence in Funny Games, Benny's Video, etc. is presented with such stark objectivity as to be utterly repellent. In no way is it entertaining. Each of Haneke's films sounds an alarm, alerting us to a dangerous trend. If another director were making a film about the dangers of, say, global warming or racial prejudice, would we require that he or she include self-criticism? Given the directness of Haneke's style and the importance of his themes (collective guilt, the erosion of conscience, the origins of faith), it is difficult to understand how Adams can dismiss Haneke's body of work as a mere "game" for suckers.

Ted Knighton
Paoli

Ed: In the article, Michael Haneke should have been identified as a native of Austria.