Letters to the Editor

by the Readers

Throw Transport Down the Well

Let's take [Slant, "Free Ride," Nathaniel Popkin, Dec. 16, 2004] one step further: Why doesn't Philadelphia not only make the entire metro system free but also expand the subway system to the point where the buses (except routes absolutely needed), trolleys and trains be eliminated? The trains are aging, to the point where SEPTA has complained about the repairs. Why not get rid of them, and save the headache? Philadelphia can learn a thing or two about getting people around on its transportation system, if they take a look at Washington, D.C.'s Metro. It's clean, fast and cheap. The subway areas don't stink of urine like Philadelphia's. You don't see garbage or graffiti. Out of all the metro systems I've been on, Philadelphia's is probably one of the dirtiest I've ever seen.

Brad Magnuson
Fox Chase

Hear Us Now

Ed Schwartz's astonishment that Pennsylvania legislators recently voted for a statewide broadband telecom bill shows a clear lack of understanding of the legislation or the two-year process that resulted in its passage [Loose Canon, "Can You Hear Him Now?," Bruce Schimmel, Dec.9, 2004]. This legislation, supported by 213 members of the General Assembly, includes the most comprehensive, aggressive broadband deployment plan in the United States, providing significant benefits for the state's consumers, as well as its educational and business communities. The bill -- which enjoyed broad support -- provides more than $100 million in grants and discounts to schools for broadband services. It establishes several economic development programs that will further facilitate broadband deployment throughout the state. The new law actually allows communities to have Verizon or other local phone companies deploy advanced telecom services more quickly. Should Verizon or the others choose to wait to offer advanced technology, then local governments can go ahead, and the companies forfeit early entry into the markets. Either way, the community gets the service.

Sharon Shaffer
Verizon Media Relations

Sexual Healing

I can't agree with Christine Flowers that Dr. Alfred Kinsey is practically responsible for the decline of Western Civilization [Slant, "A Kinsey Retort," Dec. 2, 2004]. He was a scientist; it was not in the job description for him to measure love or preach morality.The former is the realm of poets and writers and other artists. The latter is the province of the little nuns who taught her of the church. However, the church was too busy hiding and protecting it's own perverted clergy to wag its finger too much at other offenders. I would put the honesty of Kinsey's full disclosure up against the hypocrisy of the church's calculated cover-up any day. Dr. Kinsey is a cultural hero of mine. He started a much-needed conversation. Over the years, this discussion was continued by Masters and Johnson, Dr. Ruth, Susan Johnson and, yes, City Paper's own Isadora.

Jean Carminati
South Philadelphia

Correction

In [Cover Story, "Oh, You Shouldn't Have," Dec. 23, 2004], it was inaccurately stated that Beanie Segal appeared on the cover of Philadelphia Weekly three times in the past year. He was on the cover three times since July 2003. City Paper regrets the error.