NO LONGER HIDDEN

I wanted to take a moment to praise the comprehensive research and approachable presentation of the examination of human trafficking — and efforts to combat it — in the Tampa Bay region (Cover Story, "Slaves Among Us," by Roxanne Escobales, July 12-18). Her article pulls the veil of secrecy from the various forms of this insidious crime.

Although both daily newspapers recently cast a passing eye on this troubling situation, they've neither the vision nor the editorial space to address this problem (or anything else of substance these days) with depth and detail.

Ms. Escobales' exhaustive research and subsequent intimate understanding of the complexities of this "hidden crime" — including her sidebar on the T-visa and the box on identifying victims — may result in freedom for some of the enslaved in the Tampa Bay area.

I'm appreciative of her passion and her accurate, professional presentation.

Wayne Shelor

Public Information Officer

Clearwater Police Department

SHE LOVES HIM…

What I like consistently about the Weekly Planet's theater reviews is their literacy and thoroughness. I don't always agree with them but seldom fail to find them interesting and perceptive. As a reviewer myself and a retired academic, I envy Mark Leib the space you afford him. It is well used, of course, but reviews can become real criticism, thanks much to your editorial policy.

Marie J. Kilker

Sarasota

SHE LOVES HIM NOT…

I have consistently read Mark Lieb's reviews — including those of shows I've been in — for several years, and I find there is frequently an undercurrent of unnecessary hostility. It seems to me that the job of a critic is not only to criticize that which he sees can be better, but also to celebrate the very culture of theater. I rarely see Mr. Lieb do this. From the caustic tone of many of his reviews, it feels as if his goal is to ensure that no one else sees the production. Not every show is going to be of Tony quality. That doesn't mean the audience isn't entertained, educated or perhaps provoked. Isn't that partly the purpose of the arts, to nudge people into different perspectives, to create awareness of judgments and to incite personal change that could potentially lead to global change? The Planet has provided him with a forum to communicate his feelings, and I wonder if he realizes what a privilege it is. I wonder if he realizes that with every privilege comes responsibility. He is a very fortunate man to have the widely read platform he does to make observations about the valued art of theater, and I'm not objecting to criticism. Push the envelope. Make the theater companies in this town accountable for their choices. That's how things get better. I challenge him to write a review that demonstrates his vast understanding of theater while also celebrating the value it brings, because of or in spite of the acting and/or direction. If this cannot be accomplished, what reason will people find for attending? And if people don't attend, eventually Mr. Lieb will be out of a job.

Staci Backauskas

Via e-mail

THE ANTICHRIST COMETH ON 22s

Hark! What's that loud rhythmic thudding emanating from beneath our feet? Is it an earthquake? The footsteps of the Antichrist marking the beginning of the end? A race of subterranean cave-dwelling mutants pounding their way to the surface world to eat our brains? NO! It's a Chevy Cavalier with a tacky paint job, oversized chrome rims and a giant subwoofer paid for entirely in misappropriated welfare funds (Cover Story, "Reinventing the Wheel," by Eric Snider, July 5-11).

Fewer people are concerned with good suspension, good gas mileage, good safety features and a good price than whether or not they can get it in neon purple with a big kanji symbol on the hood just because it looks good even though they can't read Japanese. Myles Kovacs calls this "aspirational lifestyle." In other words, buy something you can't afford and then aspire to better your lifestyle to the point where you CAN afford your stupid toy. Meanwhile, the payments you make on your stupid toy cripple you financially to where your aspirations collapse OR you rob Peter to pay Paul, fall back on your payments in order to pay your rent, and thusly have your stupid toy repossessed and your credit report badly bruised.

Victor Grigorii

Via e-mail

How far behind the times are you? The cool chrome rims have been around for years and you are just getting to them! How many years will it take before you notice the rims on custom bikes? Custom bike builders have also started putting spinners on their rides. WAKE UP and get back to the cutting edge of cool!

John Perry

Via e-mail

CORRECTION

In last week's Urban Explorer column ("Messing With Our Heads," by Alex Pickett, July 12-18), we incorrectly stated that the Kleer Drain device sold by Home Depot could be used as a "cracker" for illegally inhaling C02. Our readership informed us the actual illegal usage involves opening and huffing N2O (nitrous oxide) cartridges. Of course, we all know that is neither healthy nor legal, so don't try it at home.

This article appears in Jul 19-25, 2006.