Also this issue:

Their Rights, Our Rights.
-Bruce Schimmel

The Octopus in Philly
-Howard Altman

Show Us Your Zits
Judith Rodin was not as “all-that” as she was cracked up to be.
-Todd Wolfson

July 3- 9, 2003

mailbag

Letters to the Editor

by the Readers

Katz Scratched

Perhaps you intended to use a different quote but in ["Screaming Bloody Murder," Gale Warning, Daryl Gale, June 26, 2003], Katz was not complaining about the lack of police presence in the quote that you included. He specifically says, "It is not enough to simply increase presence," the very opposite of your interpretation.

In fact, having nine cops show up randomly seems unlikely to me. The only time I've seen nine Philly cops together is when they were sent to spy on or harass protesters. Maybe Katz should call the precinct to inquire whether the local precinct owes patronage to John Street.

Marilyn J. Bess
Philadelphia

The Claws That Refreshes

Just to let you know that as an old Eastern Shore type from Maryland and Delaware, I very much enjoyed reading ["Got Crabs?," Elisa Ludwig, June 26, 2003]. If possible, would you please e-mail a copy of it to my son, who at the moment is working on an island off the west coast of Africa and is very hungry for some hard-shells and very cold beer? Thanks!

Richard Miller
Via E-mail

Fine Gold

Just finished reading Allen Hornblum's take on Harry Gold ["Gold Fingered," Allen Hornblum, June 19, 2003] and thoroughly enjoyed the article. Excellent stuff and look forward to more of his investigations appearing in the City Paper.

Laura Lister
Philadelphia

Opportunity Knocked Off

Just read your fascinating piece on the Corporate Council on Africa ["Like Night and Day," Pretzel Logic, Howard Altman, June 26, 2003]. I hadn't heard anything about this particular scenario but am extremely and ongoingly conscious of what happened with "our" ballpark opportunity. Opportunities come and opportunities seem to go here in Phillyland, and I for one am really tired of the trail repeatedly leading to the desk of John Street, knowing incontrovertibly as I do that real people have lost their lives and livelihoods on the paths of these Philly dreams-turned-nightmares.

Personally, I could never support Street for mayor at this point in history, which is why, earlier this year I created a forum for Sam Katz to begin a dialogue with my neighborhood. It was spectacular.

For me, the "issue" that sums things up to a T is the "free Love Park" crusade. Sometimes, I have to wonder why things that are just so damn simple can't be understood by those who claim they "love" Philadelphia.

Mitch Deighan
Northern Liberties

If Mayor Street blew a great opportunity, Howard Altman blows it as well (grammatically and intellectually) by referring to the Sullivan Principles as "Sullivan Principal." Those principles concern equality of treatment in work and social services and are significant far beyond their major achievement of helping end apartheid. As a former neighbor of Leon's in Greenbelt Knoll, I know he would be as disappointed by Altman's journalistic lapse as by Street's failure to grasp an opportunity he certainly would have taken with enthusiasm.

Patrick D. Hazard
Weimar, Germany

Sweeney Got Goods

Did you guys do a story on Joe Sweeney, just so you could slam him the next week. His Weekly writing may be over the top, but his music is damn good. Your tactic of printing a negative letter to follow up your story on his music reeks of a setup. Important lesson for Sweeney: Let the music talk, you got the goods dude.

Joe Kniffin
Via E-mail