Letters to the Editor

by the Readers

Snip Snits

Judaism is in fact not "in the heart" [Fine Print, "First Cut," Morris Bracy IV, May 20, 2004]. It is a religion of practice, not belief (a Jewish atheist is not impossible). Circumcision is a rite of passage mandated early in Genesis and practiced by Jews for some 4,000 years. And the "loss of 12 square inches of sexual stimulation?" As a pediatrician/mohel, I can tell you that is just somebody's fantasy.
Dr. Theodore S. Tapper
Merion

I took instant offense to Gary Rothstein's rebuttal to the "First Cut" article [Mailbag, June 3, 2004]. I decided, like Guy Menahem, to restore my foreskin because I was cruelly mutilated without my consent or approval as an infant. What really got me was the last sentence: "However, it is not his right to preach this self-hatred to others through lies and misrepresentatons." A self-loathing person would never reclaim what was lost to them. I decided to reclaim my life and fight against a barbaric and unnecessary practice. I decided to do what was right for me. Men shouldn't be judged or condemned because they have a foreskin, or go through restoration to get their birthright back, they should be applauded. I'm doing this for myself, and if people don't like it, it's their problem.
Jason Showers
Philadelphia

F'in Metal!

As a metal-loving chick, I'm slightly offended by your comment, intended sardonically or not, that Ozzfest doesn't "allow women" in its lineup ["Photosynthesis!," Mary Armstrong, Kyle Parker and Patrick Rapa, June 10, 2004]. Au contraire! This year's lineup boasts the female co-fronted Lacuna Coil as well as Otep, who could blindfoldedly eviscerate (or should I say evanescerate) the wimpy, whiny, Hot Topic-clad Amy Lee in a metal-chick deathmatch. Brutal act Bleeding Through also features a female keyboard player. True, females in metal are a decided minority, but they/we are neither invisible nor nonexistent.
Beth Havok
Philadelphia

Voicemail of the Week

"Yes hello. This is a message for Mary Armstrong, Kyle Parker, Patrick Rapa in regards to the "Photosynthesis!" article, where they went through some bands, some artists that are performing this summer in this horrible piece of shit city called Philadelphia and they ripped on a few bands like Kiss and Ozzfest, yet these bands like, you know, The Roots, some racist piece of shit black band, gets all this stuff. You know, bottom line: What I pretty much realize about your paper is just that it is geared toward a bunch of pussy, laid-back, you know, bunch of drunk frat-boy wannabe pussies, and you guys really have no fuckin' clue when it comes to talent. So just know that. And all your music reviews they pretty much suck. You're all a bunch of fucking losers at your sta-- at your newspaper. And if you're wondering who I am, just come by my house Tilton St. tonight, in Philly, and just leave a mess — and just knock on the door. I'd be more than [willing to] kick your shittin' ass [or something to that effect] if anybody has a problem with what I said. 'Cause your paper blows. Bye."
Another Satisfied Customer
Tilton Street, Philadelphia