Letters to the Editor

by the Readers

Train Pain

During my reportorial years I always worried when the subject of a story I had done expressed appreciation -- made me kinda wonder if I had been tough enough. Anyway, I think your piece ["Crass Transit," Daniel Brook, Cityspace, April 24, 2003] was the most sophisticated and well-reasoned story to date on the subject. A couple of points, if I may, for your next story. The lack of state funding isn't simply because of the classic Philly-haters, as you put it. All 74 public transit agencies across the Commonwealth are suffering the same fate -- Pittsburgh's in even worse shape than Philly.

Pittsburgh's had to raise fares three times in two years and is considering the elimination of weekend service.

Anyway, many thanks for your terrific efforts in your story.

Richard Maloney

SEPTA spokesman
Philadelphia

Nursing a Grudge

I want to thank you for your article about nursing ["Primary Care," Jenn Carbin, Slant, April 24, 2003].

The "nursing as a profession" stigma shows no sign of letting up as our numbers grow smaller. We need more advocates like Ms. Carbin as it seems we can be our own worst enemies.

The past year I have seen physician groups closing down their offices and marching on Harrisburg and D.C. demanding health care and insurance reform.

Where are the nurses? Nurse staffing in hospitals is at unsafe levels for both patients and staff not only because of the shortage, but because of public and administrative attitudes that we are, indeed, only handmaidens to the doctors.

Gone are the days of standing when a doctor enters a room! We need to speak up more and demand the respect we earn every day at the bedside!

Thank you again.

Anastasia Goldman, RN
Philadelphia

Thank you for your wonderful article on nursing. This is one of the few times in my life I have seen an account in the media that reflects the truth of our profession.

Unfortunately the mythos of nursing -- that it is only about a gentle caress for the worried patient, handing out bedpans and wiping the brow of the surgeon as he works -- has affected our profession in many varied and insidious ways. From the administrator unable to see the need for better patient-nurse ratios to the starry-eyed new student shocked by the reality of the profession.

Wendy Harper
Australia

Emil and The Defectives

If things will be "as they always have" at Moore then that's the greatest shame ["Fashion Statement," A.D. Amorosi, Naked City, April 24, 2003]. The stifling of student expression described in the article seems to remain at Moore as it did while I was a student, even if [former fashion department chair] Emil [De John] won't. How a former politician [Happy Fernandez] can laugh off "all sorts of creative things" at the college and begin planning fashion shows is the real mystery.

Emil got badly needed cash flowing into that department; his industry friends gave us professional critiques, job opportunities, awards and recognition. The annual fashion show was raised to outstanding heights through Emil's efforts and the hard work and long planning of each senior student.

Sara Johnson
Via e-mail