David Witz

Advertising/Promotions, Delilah's, The Gentlemen's Club and Steakhouse

Ed: Our columnist used the word "naked" as a figure of speech, not to imply that the dancers were nude.

David Field

Managing Partner, R D Field, LLC

Zoe Strauss

South Philly

Michael Hannah

Austin, Texas

Melissa Brown

Quakertown

Ed: City Paper apologizes for publishing the referenced letter.

This is what you printed about the Play it By Ear Opera [Arts Agenda, July 27, 2006]: "This improv opera is based on audience suggestion and interaction. Which means you can suggest someone sing like Pavarotti, and then laugh when they can't."

This is exactly what it is not! What it is is that audience members suggest things based on the group's solicitation — name an occupation, what makes you mad — the possibilities are endless. After collecting suggestions, the troupe huddles for a few minutes and creates a mini-opera based on the suggestions. Your listing not only was incorrect, but it dishonored what is a brilliant show.

Debra G. Donahue

Cape May, NJ I am a very proud graduate of both the doctoral program in clinical psychology at Chestnut Hill College, and the pre-doctoral internship program at Friends Hospital. I was present with Lori Land at both these sites when the events she referred to in her article had allegedly taken place. While I am choosing not to respond to her article point by point, after observing years of Land's character assassination of Dr. Cheryll Rothery Jackson, Dr. Scott Browning, Chestnut Hill College, and the faculty of Friends Hospital's psychology internship program, I am compelled to offer the following.

Land has been mounting a campaign to undermine the respected reputations of the aforementioned persons and institutions for many years, including sending mass e-mails to current and past doctoral students at Chestnut Hill college, as well as publicly deriding the faculty at both Friends Hospital and the college. Her actions have now carried into the public domain, although she had also created a blog to vent her frustrations, which of course she is entitled to do. I would like it to be known, however, that after being a student at Chestnut Hill College for 11 years in both the master's and doctoral programs, I am honored to have studied under all of the professors at this institution, and under the excellent, highly respected faculty at Friends Hospital. In particular, I have had the honor of working under both Rothery-Jackson and Browning.

I would like to focus on Rothery-Jackson at the moment, since most of the article is in reference to her. Dr. Rothery-Jackson, or Dr. R-J as many students affectionately refer to her, came to Chestnut Hill College at a very crucial time, when the college was in a critical phase of applying for application for APA-accredited status, a designation it has now achieved. Dr. Rothery-Jackson built an incredibly strong pre-doctoral internship program from the ground up. I have received steadfast ethical and clinical guidance from her as a student in practicum, internship, and post-doctoral positions, all at highly respected institutions. And I must say that Dr. Rothery-Jackson began each and every discourse with the words, and I paraphrase, "Make sure you always consider the cultural influences upon your work, specifically upon the environment in which your client exists." She has risen above many cultural challenges herself to pass her experiences on to many students and faculty, as well as served on committees addressing this particular issue.

As a result of Land's attacks on faculty and staff at both Friends Hospital and Chestnut Hill College, I have observed the devastation and fallout that has graced the lives of faculty and students, pre-doctoral Interns at the hospital, husbands, wives and children of those who have been the targets of her accusations. I would like to encourage Land to use her experience from this situation, whether derived from reality or perceived reality, for good, versus continuing the accusations on all of the above. Her message is being lost, whether true or untrue in an environment of bitterness and undeniable disdain for all involved. Thank you for this opportunity to support a incredibly strong, fine and highly respected woman, Dr. Rothery-Jackson, and the others involved in this year's long situation. Without the influence of all involved, I would clearly not be in the professional position I am currently in, nor the person I have become. Thank you Dr. Rothery-Jackson, Dr. Browning and the staff and faculty at both Chestnut Hill College and Friends Hospital.

Ann Durshaw, Psy.D.

Yardley

Before you ask Michael Nutter to march Philadelphians any further into a total police state [Philly Blunt, "This Time, It's Personal," Brian Hickey, July 27, 2006], might I suggest that you do some research on just how exactly those World Trade Center towers fell on Sept.11, 2001? First of all, are you aware that World Trade Center 7, a 47-story building behind 1 and 2 World Trade fell exactly in the same manner as the two towers, right into its footprint straight down at freefall speed, even though it was not hit by any airplanes?

Are you aware that Larry Silverstein bought the WTC Complex 11 weeks before its destruction and purchased an insurance policy against terrorist attacks? Are you aware that Mr. Silverstein admitted to "pulling" World Trade Center 7, on PBS's America Rebuilds documentary?

You might also be surprised to learn that Dr. Stephen Jones, a physics professor at Brigham Young University, did chemical tests on steel samples from the buildings, and he found traces of thermate, which is thermite plus added sulfur. Thermate burns at over 4,000 degrees F. It is hot enough to cut through steel and is regularly used in controlled demolitions. Jet fuel only burns at 1,650 degrees F, and is nowhere near hot enough to cause a collapse of a steel-framed building.

Are you aware that at least seven of the 19 "hijackers" are actually still alive? Did you know that on the morning of 9/11, at the same time the four REAL hijacked planes (supposedly flown by the alleged 19 hijackers, but more likely remotely controlled) were attacking, Vice President Cheney was personally conducting computerized "practice drills" with imaginary hijacked jets, in the same exact scenario, confusing our air defenses with 22 imaginary blips on their radar screens?

The official story of 9/11 is an utter lie which unfortunately far too many Americans such as yourself have blindly accepted as truth. The physical evidence points to none other than a pre-planned controlled demolition of the World Trade Center buildings — an inside job by our own government, assisted by a network of Israeli spies.

Before you whisper any more fascist ideas into the ears of Philadelphia mayoral candidates, I hope you will take the time to do the research and draw your own conclusions. People do not need to be, and should never be, pulled over at random by police at checkpoints, for any reason whatsoever. Checkpoints are a violation of our Fourth Amendment right against illegal searches and seizures. I understand there are many criminals who use guns in Philadelphia, but cracking down on guns by pulling citizens over at random in the name of "post-9/11 security" will only exacerbate the problem. The biggest threat to our security is not street crime, but a government which lies to us on a daily basis.

Darrell Rowlands

Germantown

It's more than obvious, the scandal [News, "Waste Not," Andy Greenberg, July 27, 2006]. No one lugs bags of asbestos into a tunnel without the thought of leaving it there when they seal it up. Those tunnels need to be sealed properly, not filled with toxins, sealed off and built over. Where is all the asbestos-removal equipment? Typical corruption.

"UEofNJ"

Point Pleasant, NJ

Thanks for [News, "Aqua Fine," Doron Taussig, July 27, 2006]. People do not use common sense when dealing with this issue. It's just a matter of time before we start seeing skin rashes and other skin problems. To put babies and very young children in there where they can drown is downright irresponsible. The city needs to ban any kind of frolicking in these places. People are too lazy to use the pools.

Barbara Tarvydas

Kensington

Great story [Cover, "It's Alive," July 20, 2006]. I am really excited because this didn't need to happen in Philadelphia. Someone just as smart could have brought them to L.A. to do the same thing, since the Internet doesn't follow the same outdated boundaries as commercial radio. The "hookup" between Y100rocks.com and WXPN represents a belief in Philadelphia as much as it does a belief in the business concept. I guess the smart people work in this city.

Jon Grabelle Herrmann

Executive Director, Campus Philly

Two years ago, I moved with my fiancee from West Philadelphia to Boston. I grew up in the Upper Darby area, attended Temple University and lived at 47th and Spruce. I miss all the amenities of living in Philly. I miss the unique personalities of the city's residents and their vibrant pulse that circulates raw energy through every neighborhood. Life in Boston simply can not compare. I do not, however, miss the acute violence endemic to Philadelphia [Editor's Letter, "Level of Violence," Duane Swierczynski, July 20, 2006]. The spike in violence really does make me think twice about moving back to West Philadelphia. It truly baffled me when I read [the Inquirer] interview with Street online. The homicide rate was unacceptable when I lived there two years ago, let alone now. It is far and away the most disconcerting facet of Philadelphia life, and I'm shocked that Street would describe rampant violence in such a blase manner.

As my fiancee and I prepare to select graduate schools (myself for medicine, and her for urban planning), we will definitely consider the safety of the community in which our schools are located. I love my hometown as much as anyone, but Street must be living on a cloud to underestimate the correlation between egregious violence and potential residents. Thank you for bringing this obvious lapse in the mayor's priorities to forefront of your paper. Addressing the surge of violence in the city should be the mayor's primary concern. Philadelphia's future depends on it.

Christopher Poulos

Dorchester, MA

[Slant, "Winter in Beirut," David Faris, July 20, 2006] portrays the state of Israel and the Israeli army in an unfair and inaccurate fashion. Faris states that Israel indiscriminately targets civilian populations. However, when Hezbollah uses citizens as shields and their homes as storehouses for weapons, it is not possible for Israel to avoid civilian targets. How many nations other than Israel drop leaflets before bombing to avoid increasing civilian casualties?

Second, Faris asserts that Israel has not even made "negligible" movement towards peace. Faris conveniently forgets that Israel completely withdrew from southern Lebanon in 2002, as well as Gaza last summer. The Lebanese borders were verified and confirmed by the U.N. Security Council. These were bold and trust-building steps taken by Israel to jumpstart what appeared to be a dying peace process.

Israel is fighting for its survival. Israel's gestures of peace by withdrawal from Gaza and Lebanon were met with acts of war. Israel has no choice but to defend itself.

Barry Morrison

Regional Director, Anti-Defamation League