Letters to the Editor

What You Say

WHO YOU CALLIN' CORNY?

"Corny"? Would you call the last movement of the Mahler Eighth "corny" [Music Pick, "The Philly Pops," Peter Burwasser, July 1]? Neither would I, but don't worry, we won't play it. Rhapsody in Blue may be "corny" and if the humidity stays low and the repetitions on the piano hold up, I may attempt playing it ... and without a net, too. Thanks for the plug for the orchestra. They are indeed a fantastic bunch and no matter what they (we) play, it will be at the highest level of musicianship and stylistic authenticity.

How come the country which used to brag anyone could grow up to be president has the highest incarceration rate in the world — and the biggest "defense" budget! Troy Johnson's bio [Loose Canon, "Growth Industry," Bruce Schimmel, July 8] is a little glimmer of hope. Bless him!

Money can buy justice: The rich get bailed out and get their act together for their defense [Cover Story, "Bail Is for the Rich," Holly Otterbein, June 24]. Anyone else, for all practical purposes, gets punished immediately.

The three 2008 Philly gun laws that weren't struck down weren't upheld — the court just said NRA didn't have a legal standing. They'll have to wait until someone is actually charged with breaking one of the laws before they can fight it. The laws were supposed to be such a big help, yet nobody has been charged with them in 2.5 years!