Letters to the Editor

What You Say

Sustain This

The creation of a city "director of sustainability" would be risible if it weren't such a pathetic waste of resources [News, Dispatch, "Sustainable Philly?" Mike Newall, March 5, 2009]. Local activists' fond wish for "green jobs and a green economy" is a pipe dream for a city government which can't even handle the basics like trash collection, and is simultaneously cutting jobs from the Fairmount Parks Department. A simple solution to reduce auto emissions would be to time the city's traffic lights as New York City achieved years ago. This would reduce pollution, congestion, stop/start wear-and-tear and fuel consumption. Not surprisingly, inquiries about this issue to the Streets Department, Deputy Mayor's Office, Center City District and the director of sustainability remain unanswered.

John Nernoff
Philadelphia

I'll be that guy who says "your first beer(s) are always going to suck" [Food, "The 25-Year-Old Teetotaler," Nick Norlen, March 5, 2009]. However, I'm not at all surprised at your distaste. I think your love of soda would lead you to lambics or beers like Sam Adams Cherry Wheat or Blackberry Whit, which I can't tolerate at all. But that's because they taste like soda. At least you tried! Maybe you are a wine guy? Or Hurricane Malt Liquor and Boones Farm?

Tsikitas
Via citypaper.net

OK, I get it, you don't like beer. No one says you have to. Why, though, I have to wonder, is City Paper wasting column inches? Would CP send someone who hates theater to review a show? There are so many great local brews and pioneering gastro pubs breathing new life into stale neighborhood corners. I'd rather read about one of them.

Brian
Via citypaper.net

Stop drinking everyone's beer! YOU'RE WASTING IT.

Matt
Via citypaper.net

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Richard P. Beckman
Philadelphia

In Dianca Potts' review of Jeff Gordinier's book about Gen X [Agenda, "In the Event That ... You Think Obama is Too Smart to Be a Gen-Xer," Feb. 26, 2009], she writes that he refers to President Obama as a Gen-Xer. Since by Mr. Gordinier's definition, Gen-Xers are babies who were born between 1965 and 1980, President Obama is not a Gen-Xer, having been born in 1961. That makes him a Baby Boomer, that is the kids born from 1946 to 1965 (the post-WWII babies). Gen-Xers may be saving the world and President Obama may be saving the world (which I agree he is doing) and Gordineir's book seems to have an interesting premise, but the fact is that the president is not a Gen-Xer. I'd love to read Gordinier's book, but since he is basing his premise on some inaccurate, yet relevant, facts, I'm not sure that I want to read his book.

Rachel Garber
Philadelphia

In Tiffany Jackson's "Backseat Viewing" [Movies, March 5, 2009], she wrote, "This annual event, which prides itself on being the 'working man's film festival,' is back with a batch of brand-new films for your viewing pleasure." The festival refers to itself as "the drinking man's festival." City Paper regrets the error.