Letters to the Editor

by the Readers

It’s Just a Jump to the Left …

(Re: Slant, “Conglomovision,” Bernie Sanders, July 3, 2002)

I agree with Bernie Sanders wholeheartedly that corporations are controlling what we see and read with no change seemingly on the horizon. We must put forth all our efforts to report the liberal views to the people who would be receptive. There are many dissatisfied people out there who most likely don’t realize how dissatisfied they are. The Internet is one way to do it, but there are many, particularly on the low end of the economic scale, who don’t have computer access. Libraries and bookstores carry material that tells the truth about the power of corporations. I checked about four years ago in the magazine racks at Borders and Barnes & Noble. They only had one progressive publication each. Recently when I stopped to look they had stocked around six at each store. Naturally if people on the left can get to an independent book dealer, that would be the best choice for selection.

For the public access TV station in Philadelphia, we’ll have to continue to fight. I notice organizations supporting this. Since all the economic clout appears to be on the side of the corporate culture, the masses of people without a voice will have to fight harder. The intelligence is on their side.

Ellen Kadransky
Upper Darby

Is Bernie Sanders for real? A right-wing bias in the press? I don’t think any major news publication has ever endorsed a conservative candidate for any office in any election in my lifetime. The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post and, of course, The Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News all endorsed Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election. I almost fainted three years ago when the Daily News and Inquirer endorsed Sam Katz for mayor, then I remembered he was a former Democrat who still had many liberal beliefs.

Sanders blasts Rupert Murdoch, Newt Gingrich and the Fox News Channel for their supposed conservative slant, but mysteriously forgets about CNN (Clinton News Network) and the fact that George Stephanopoulos, a former Clinton adviser, is now the host of ABC’s This Week. The reason Rush Limbaugh’s ratings are so high is because he offers an alternative to what the supposedly fair and objective news media have to offer. The majority of Americans are not liberal-minded, and Limbaugh’s popularity is a reflection of this.

Donovan Farr
via e-mail

Ad Nausea

(Re: Pretzel Logic, “Fit to be Thai-ed,” Howard Altman, July 3, 2002)

After reading your stories concerning the King of Thailand I am shocked and saddened. Having often traveled abroad I have become used to the simple fact that Americans can sometimes be culturally insensitive dolts. However, when I see the lack of effect after having the significance of the ad explained I realize that Philadelphia really does have a culture of morons and simple-minded buffoons who are not even capable of being educated. I am ashamed your city is part of my country. Please consider secession.

Jim Buchanan
New Mexico

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