No Sympathy
Re: "Filled with HOPE" by Rochelle Renford (Nov. 1-7)
How many times do I have to read regurgitated, liberal-minded articles that stake the plight of the poor on the feet of the government? As I read this article after working nine hours today to support myself, I find little empathy that new residents for HOPE VI developments will be required to have a job. Imagine that, not everything is handed to the needy. Since the article made numerous assumptions, such as, "It seems when residents fall down, either because of a mistake they made or because of circumstances beyond their control, the system that is set up to help tends to push them further over the edge," I might as well make my own assumption:
I assume that those who are given things for free tend to take them for granted, take advantage of the situation, or become accustomed to the giving. The ideal way to know the value of something is when one has to pay for it.
I wish that accountability and responsibility would be shared by the less fortunate social class along with the government's attempts at social welfare. Solely blaming the government for the social inequity is passe.
Brian Sommer
Via e-mail
Brother Love
Re: "The Brother Lode" by Eric Snider (Oct. 25-31)
I lost my virginity to an Isley tune ("In Between the Sheets"), toasted a new year to an Isley tune ("Float On Your Love") and even celebrated my middle, high school and college graduations to "Shout." I would definitely qualify as a fan of the brothers' music. However, even I did not know the full history of the hit makers and just how far reaching their influence has been on pop and hip-hop.
Someone needs to hit up Eric Snider's album collection. Dude hit the essence of Isleyhood right on the money and created an even bigger fan out of an existing one. Thanks for the feature.
A. Evonti' Anderson
Tampa
Bad Boys
Re: "Best Places to Find Bad Men" by RhondaK (Sept. 20-26)
I always enjoy the Best of the Bay issue and look forward to trying out the restaurants, etc, all year long. This year's issue had some especially hilarious extras; I really enjoyed RhondaK's adventures with bad boys. I've got a good boy of my own, but I'm saving the RhondaK article just in case I ever need a change, or a laugh. Thanks.
Susan Oliver
Tampa
… … …
I just wanted to drop you a much overdue letter regarding the article written by RhondaK. This article is absolutely hilarious. I shared it with several of my single girlfriends, who agreed that Rhonda's insights are oh so true. (Come to think of it, maybe that's NOT so funny) We also want to thank Rhonda for giving us such good ideas for finding a bad man because as she so eloquently pointed out — all women just love a bad man. I thoroughly enjoyed this article and would love to see more by the very funny and insightful RhondaK.
Julie Camper
Via e-mail
This article appears in Nov 8-14, 2001.