Since your paper prides itself on a tradition of independent journalism, I'm sure you realized that [Cover, "The New Book of Exodus," Jenna Portnoy, May 11, 2006] did not live up to that reputation. Although the subject matter was certainly worthy, any good journalist would help to clarify, and if need be, question many statements made in this article, including that the West Bank and Gaza are "dangerous." Dangerous for whom? The people who have lived there for tens of generations, or the new "immigrants" who come backed by Israel's military (the fourth-largest in the world, fueled by several billion dollars of yearly aid from the U.S.)? By framing your article in the way you did, you help to perpetuate myths that don't bring us any closer to solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Peace only comes with justice, and justice does not equal modern-day colonialism.

Zakiah Jeffries
Via E-mail

There is an option that changes the paradigm of hate, pulls six million from the possibility of another mass extinction, and saves the world from another war: If our government is willing to permit 12 million (or as many as 20 million) Hispanics and other ethnic groups into the U.S.A. without following the legal due process for immigration, why not permit six million immigrants from Israel into the U.S.A. and receive their entire civilization and technologies plus world peace? Isn't it a fact that all of the world governments who oppose U.S. policy, and independent terrorist organizations to boot, have stated that peace would occur in the Middle East if only Israel did not exist?

Barry S. Perlman
Via E-mail

"The New Book of Exodus" makes me seriously question City Paper's journalistic integrity. This newspaper has stooped to the level of the corporate media in distorting the truth about the Israel/Palestine conflict, a dangerous trend in this country with deadly consequences. It is irresponsible to cover news about Israel without the context of occupation. It is irresponsible to discuss Palestinian terrorism without the context of life under an apartheid state, of a 400-mile wall separating you from your family and job, of checkpoints, of Israeli aggression and settler violence, of 3.7 million refugees, of home demolitions. This is the reality for Palestinians, it is why "terrorism" exists, and it is the job of the media to report the truth.

You paint a rosy picture of Israel as a safe haven for people that have suffered oppression for centuries, but you don't give any indication of what life is like for the Palestinian people whose backs this haven was built on.

Kate Zaidan
Philadelphia SUSTAIN! (Stop U.S. Tax-Funded Aid to Israel Now!)

There was nothing new in [Paper Doll, "Don't Cum, All Ye Faithful," Ashlea Halpern, May 11, 2006]. You used the age-old tactic of "If I don't understand it, I'll just ridicule it" ad nauseum. To use a porno sexual term—"cum"—in the headline is particularly sickening. Ridiculing teenagers who are trying to live moral lives when millions of teens around them are living decadent, hedonistic lives is unbelievable.

If, by some teeny-weeny chance, there is a God (I can hear you laughing), you will one day face judgment for this article and any other word spoken against those who are trying to live Godly lives. It may not be your cup of tea, but I would like to see you compare this group of 15,000 teens against any other group of 15,000 teens in the U.S. and, one year from now, see who has had more arrests, pregnancies, etc. But nah, that's no fun. Let's just slam those silly teens—they're so pathetic. Maybe you could find something else actually worthy of ridicule next time you write, like teens who are constantly doing drugs and getting arrested, etc., etc.

Lauren Kennison
Plymouth, Minn.

Well done Ashlea! Glad to see you will be joining the rest of us for that BBQ in hell. Maybe we can redirect the moralists to fight a Crusade against the Sons and Daughters of Islam while they are on the warpath.

Stan Chayka
East Petersburg, Pa.

I'm a typical, 40-year-old husband/father who knows firsthand about Teen Mania Ministries and the young people who devote their time to live and work there. Like most, I was skeptical at first; however, I've come to realize these are just good kids who care about others and want to offer anyone stuck in sin a little hope.

These are not Bible-thumping, fire-and-brimstone, "Yer gonna burn in hell" preacher wannabes. Your half-ass attempt to explain the event is a slap in the face for these folks who spend their lives and careers devoted to a greater cause than our own.

Maurice Peterson
East Texas

Fucking brilliant. I enjoy your column every week, but this one really got me. Keep it up.

Beth Smith
Via E-mail

I'm not so much disturbed by your disagreement, but by your contempt for evangelicals trying to reach young people. Repressive sexual culture here in America? Are you kidding? Fact is, there is more information and so-called education about sex now than any time in our nation's history. Ironically, things are getting worse, not better.

Haven't you been keeping track of the HIV/AIDS epidemic upon young adults? Youth involvement with smoking, sex, drugs and alcohol is being pushed down to younger and younger ages. These used to be rebellious adolescent and teen vices; now, 8- and 9-year-olds are engaging in these dangerous behaviors. They're not emotionally and spiritually mature enough to cope with what they're experimenting with.

You speak so glibly on this subject that I know you couldn't possibly be someone who's worked a lot with young people. Between the growing [up] fatherless problem and issues around gang activity and violence, youth are being systematically destroyed from the inside, then it manifests itself with destructive outward behavior.

Living with blinders on? Pretending that none of these things are happening? This teen revival effort is bold and theatrical because that's what youth are attracted to. It would be naive and unrealistic to trot out a bunch of Debbie Boone look-alikes with the soundtrack from the Sound of Music. Many people accuse the church of not reaching out to young people, then when it does, it gets criticized anyway. You've missed the whole point. These efforts are not about indoctrination. The music and the light shows are just the hook. Ultimately, we want people to know that Jesus Christ loves them and that it's OK to love themselves.

For example, chastity and abstinence aren't just about not having sex, but about recognizing the sanctity of one's own body. Sexual relationships are supposed to be special; intimacy is supposed to have value. Sleeping around negates all that. Do I really need to elaborate on the evils of alcohol? Look no further than the Duke lacrosse team and the girl accusing them of rape.

Ashlea, the lie that bold Christianity wants to confront is that participating in all the things you want to celebrate will NOT bring happiness. It might be fun for a while, but in my experience most of what you get is a long, wide trail of broken hearts, broken lives and regrets. And I'm convinced that if God had called you to be a person who ministers to these people and tries to bring restoration and peace to their lives, you wouldn't speak with such shameful arrogance.

You and I have a lot in common. I, too, am in search of the freaks, perverts, unrepentant sinners, harlots, hustlers and hos yet for a different purpose. I know what it's like to be one of them and exchange that meaningless existence for true joy, peace and life through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Be blessed, and thanks for printing your article.

James A Washington III
Chicago

I hope this is satire! If it's not, you might want to refresh your memory with Edward Gibbons tome on the downfall of Rome. We are hard on Rome's heels.

Philip Harrelson
Alabama

If the media did its job of informing the electorate, Chuck Pennacchio [News, "The Outsiders," Doron Taussig, May 11, 2006] or Alan Sandals would have a chance against Bob Casey. Either man, I believe, would better energize Pennsylvanians in November than will Bob "I'm a pro-life Democrat" Casey.

Now for the big question: Has America's right wing already bought this election as long as it is a Casey v. Santorum matchup? Consider uber right-winger Rupert Murdoch, owner of Fox News, is fundraising for Hillary Clinton. Clinton, in turn, is fundraising for Bob Casey. Since it is common practice for candidates to launder money back and forth between them, doesn't this mean that Murdoch is funding Casey indirectly?

So has the corporate right wing abandoned Santorum and the GOP in favor of Clinton, pro-life Casey and the right-wing Democratic Leadership Council?

Pat Rogers
Allentown

Dennis Kucinich had big support in Minnesota. Out of this, we got Kucitizens into the state party, in local and state seats. We learned a lot and we continue to work for change. Working for your ideals can never be wrong!

Sharon Collins
Minnesota

Another draw for Pennacchio, and this is a big one around here, is his expertise in diplomacy. As a country, military solutions for problems are sought sooner than ever before. We must return to making diplomacy a higher priority, as is evidenced by the current situation in Iraq.

Caryl Byrne
State College

It saddens me to think that there is any reference to a Mason-Dixon line in Philadelphia [Feedback, ""Mount in Pain," May 11, 2006]. As we all should learn from the Rodney King episode in Los Angeles, why can't we all just get along? Philadelphians you have the technology—JUST DO IT!

Maryanne Brady
San Francisco, Ca

Thank you for [Cover, "The Wrong Place," Brian Hickey, May 4, 2006]. It clarified all other newspaper articles regarding the loss of our dear child. I also respected the info contained regarding the differences between the old-timers and newcomers to the neighborhood.

Julia
Fairmount

It's bad enough that those of you who feast on dead carcasses have no regard for the suffering behind your selfish greediness [Food, "Whole Hog," Trey Popp, April 27, 2006]. But then on top of it, you allowed an article to be printed making sport of the fact that an innocent baby pig, an extremely intelligent, once-living creature, turned up on the dinner plate of your patrons. Good thing I don't have any friends like the owner of this restaurant, the people who work there or the selfish superficial people that eat there.

Valerie Trivigno
South Philadelphia

Great article [News, "Power Planted," Rod Wilson, May 11, 2006]! It really took a hard look at the organization and did not try to sugarcoat the leaders' views. Good work!

Jeff Lee
Elkins Park