Also this issue:

Pissing Match
-Bruce Schimmel

Cover the Uninsured
Tens of millions of people in this country have no health care.
-Lauren Townsend

Block Aid
-Howard Altman

March 6-12, 2003

mailbag

Letters to the Editor

by the Readers

Pictures Worth 1,000 Words?

(Re: "Shoot to Kill?," Daniel Brook, Feb. 27, 2003)

I would have to totally agree but disagree somewhat with the tone of the article. I myself am an amateur photographer and have been told once by a police officer that I was, in his words, "not allowed to take pictures of the Ben Franklin Bridge." Now I took him at his word, which is the problem -- people don't know what they can and cannot photograph. I could have easily just waited for him to leave and taken a picture and, if I did have evil intentions, would I have done this in the open? I've also been chased away by security guards trying to take a picture for a class of an indoor fountain in Penn Center, and in Liberty Place when I wanted to take a picture of the sky through the cool-looking atrium ceiling.

Now what I somewhat disagree with is that the article seemed geared more toward racial profiling than just the issue at hand. It's photographers in general who are being profiled. I shouldn't have to carry around a statement of rights or risk prosecution for taking a photo. It's a tough issue but one that I think needs to focus more on general rights than race.

William A. Herbert
Philadelphia

While it is terrible to think that people taking photographs are being questioned about their actions, why did your article emphasize the trial of someone who was punished for things that actually are illegal? According to the piece, Iman Radito overstayed a student visa and possessed a forged green card and Social Security number. In addition, he had taken flight school classes in Florida and had a large and questionable sum of money in his bank account; not illegal activities, but troubling in today's society. He was not jailed and deported because he was taking photos. He was breaking the law and sentenced accordingly. Take off the blinders and look at the facts.

Kevin McGeehan
Philadelphia

Tape Your Mouth

(Re: "Duct Tape This!," Howard Altman, Pretzel Logic, Feb. 20, 2003)

Yes, "duct tape this" is an amusing protest line, but I am more struck by the irony of a female "convert to Islam" using the freedom and rights she has in the U.S. to do something that would not be tolerated in most if not all Muslim countries. Given the roles women are relegated to in Muslim societies, I must consider the source in evaluating the position of any American woman who would convert to Islam. I'm not sure what the best approach to the whole issue is but I trust the informed judgments of George Bush and his advisers more than those of Habiba Ali.

Stephen J. Leitner
Philadelphia

What Would Isaac Do?

I have been re-reading the Foundation series by Isaac Asimov, and I am struck by the famous epigram ascribed to Salvor Hardin, first mayor of Terminus: "Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent."

I wonder if the present administration has read the Foundation series recently?

Cyril Fleisher
Chester