January 21–28, 1999

mailbag

Letters to the Editor

by the Readers
 

 

Cell Block

I was deeply disturbed by Bruce Schimmel's reckless editorial on cell phone technology ("Cell Prisoners," Loose Canon, Jan. 8).

In fact, there is NO reliable evidence that cell phones cause any medical afflictions. All we have is anecdotal evidence: Someone who used a cell phone got cancer near her ear, etc. The whole case is similar to the silicone breast implant scare which was recently proven by several extensive, independent studies to be completely without merit.

You should know better than to judge a technology guilty until proven innocent because there are people behind the technology who will have to pay the price for your prejudice.

Andrew Murphy

Fitler Square

 

 

Wavelengths

I really enjoyed your article on Transient Waves (Neil Gladstone's "Strangers in a Strange Land," Music, Jan. 8). I live in Portland, OR, but I came across some of their music in San Francisco. I've been searching for more. I just lucked out when I found them on your Web site. Now that I know where they are, I hope to see updates on what they are doing. Their music is really visionary. I can't wait to hear their music on the FM airwaves. Thanks for the article.

Derek Thomas

Portland, OR

 

 

Death Be Not Proud

Do people like Mr. Hutchins ("Choose Death," Mailbag, Dec. 25) really believe that the medically vulnerable will be "given a choice in the matter" once euthanasia has been widely accepted? Don't they realize that Kevorkian is being used to prepare the way for involuntary euthanasia as a routine medical procedure?

Euthanasia is one of those sad and ugly realities that has always been with us, and probably always will be. What informed people fear is the establishment of government guidelines for it, of the bureaucracy and the medical industry (no longer a profession) getting into the killing business.

Dorothy Smith

 

 

Correction

Due to an editing error, last week's list of Best Bets for the 1999 spring theater season incorrectly stated that Laurie Anderson's Moby Dick would be the first production in the American Music Theater Festival/Prince Music Theater's new home at 1412 Chestnut St. Moby Dick, which runs May 12-23, will be preceded by two events in the new theater. The first will be singer Andrea Marcovicci's one-woman show, March 17-21, followed April 3-17 by Floyd Collins.