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Letters to the Editor

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Published: Apr 16, 2008

Walk It Off

"The Bell Curve" [News, April 10, 2008] was wrong in claiming my first column appeared in Leviticus, the most complex book in the Bible. My first assignment was for Exodus.

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I have been around awhile (which is better than the alternative, as you will discover someday). I have been around SO long:

I have a company-paid pension. (Good luck with yours.)

There's Social Security money for me. (Good luck with yours.)

I gave Keith Richards guitar lessons.

I tutored John McCain at Annapolis.

I gave Johannes Gutenberg that crazy "moveable type" idea.

I remember when Bruce Schimmel was poor.

I know that Jim Nicholson worked at the Daily News, not the Inquirer, something "youthful" Mary Patel (and your too-young copy editor) got wrong last week.

I even remember when the Bell Curve was funny.

(Actually, it still is.)

Despite my advanced years, I challenge the author(s) to meet me at the 12th Street Gym for a marathon treadmill session. You've talked the talk. Can you walk the walk?

Stu Bykofsky
Columnist, Philadelphia Daily News

Brian Howard responds: Stu, though I am sworn to secrecy regarding the author(s) of the joke you mention — the Bell Curve is composed weekly by an anonymous roundtable committee who have all signed a blood oath — I have been authorized to accept your challenge on its behalf. Consider this walk-off on.

Barely Legal

On the issue of retailers from out of state shipping wine into Pennsylvania [Food, "Over the Border Wine," David Snyder, April, 3, 2008], Sen. Jim Ferlo's bill adequately addresses underage access and tax collection. Rep. Paul Costa's bill just perpetuates the quasi-prohibitionist bureaucracy known as the Liquor Control Board which, in the 21st century, should have its very existence challenged.

Also, if the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement (holy jeez, what a name) really were interested in hunting down retailers, all they would have to do is set up a bogus order and wait for the shipment to arrive.

So while the legislature takes another three years mulling this over or getting paid off, do what you have to do. Or just wait until you visit your cousin here in Joisey and stock up. Joe Canal and Roger Wilco will both be glad to see you.

Ray Dalessandro
Atlantic City, N.J.

Never Mind the Bollocks!

Based on J.F. Pirro's excellent cover story ["Ruh-Roh?" April 10, 2008], and other recent local animal news, it can be safely said that Philadelphia sadly fails Gandhi's barometer for humanity: "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."



HALF OFF DEPOT
Why live life at full price?

I was happy to read PSPCA's Howard Nelson's frank statement in Pirro's piece: "Cruelty is an epidemic in Philadelphia."

Every night on the TV news here, there is another obscene, disgusting animal abuse story, and each one seems to get worse. The puppy mill business? It will never go away. Why? Because eradicating it will allegedly hurt Philly's almighty economy. Just like the poor horses forced to pull the idiot tourists around in circles nonstop all day. Of course we can't stop it. Again, it would hurt the economy. As long as we live in a capitalist society, the economy will be put ahead of everything else, including the environment and other living creatures.

It's been proven that people who like animals are more empathetic toward other people — that children who have close relationships with their pets develop stronger bonds with people as adults. Perhaps if Philadelphia cared — genuinely cared — about its animal population, we wouldn't have read about those recent horrific SEPTA attacks and murders. At last someone has had the balls to tell it like it is!

Carlye Benedict
via e-mail

Comments

I hope that the older generation of your state donot vote for Clinton. We are facing more problems now and the Clintons are apart of the problem. Clinton being first lady doesnot qualified her to be president. Remember folks that Billy boy had a chance to take our enemy and didnot do so. Why because of his image. The protection of our people and land comes before someones image.
by Lawrence on April 19th 2008 2:56 PM

2443 church road
mountain top, pa 18707
5702620144

Barrack Obama is not a unifier but is a divider. He lays claim to being other than politics as usual and claims that he wants to put an end to that game. But he accepts contributions and a contributor’s list from some of the biggest Washington as usual politicians such as John Kerry and Ted Kennedy. He is one in the same. Birds of the same feather flock together and it is he who has a kinship with them, not Hillary Clinton.

Hillary Clinton has been treated unfairly by the press, who has become enamored with Barrack Obama, and also by many Americans. Hillary Clinton is hounded because she does not show the soft side of her personality with everyone. Perhaps it is because she had the misfortune of being born a woman, who has to do 10 jobs at the same time, and do all of them in total perfection or else they are lambasted. Is it any wonder that Hillary has a tough outer skin? I think that everyone keeps the softer side of themselves for those who are nearest and most dear to them so why isn’t she afforded the same rights? And, is that really a requirement of a President?

I had always felt that I would vote Democratic in the upcoming election but have had to rethink that position. I thought if I didn’t vote Democratic after what this current administration had done that I would be letting my country down. But, it is Barrack Obama and the Americans who have deserted Hillary Clinton, after she has given 40 years to this country, who will run the risk of putting another Republican in office again. Barrack Obama has shown he is a very insulting person and has made this a race about gender. It never should have become one in the first place because there are too many important issues at stake. He claims Hillary cat fights and recently even called her Annie Oakley.

There are 30% of Hillary supporters who will not vote for Obama if he gets the nomination and I now count myself among them. We will vote for John McCain. A sexist candidate trumps the Democratic ideals as far as I am concerned. I cannot in good conscience vote for a man who is no better than what he claims he wants to change. And, I cannot vote for any human being who stereotypes any race, gender or faith. He has poisoned the well far too many times now. If this country worsens because of John McCain being elected President, the Obama supporters, particularly the middle age men and the young voters, have no one to blame except themselves.

Thank you,
Mary Anne Whitonis
2443 Church Road
Mountain top, PA 18707
570-262-0144
by mary anne whitonis on April 21st 2008 12:16 PM



Also In This Week's Opinion Section

Editor's Letter:
In an Honest Way
by Brian Howard
We are well aware of the tightrope we're walking.

Slant:
Pride Jest?
by Natalie Hope McDonald
A lesson for Philadelphia magazine about gay pride and leather bike shorts.

Loose Canon:
Philadelphia's Rebellion
by Bruce Schimmel
It's shocking how Rendell is losing his grip on the city.

 
 
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