Love Him, Love Him Not
Re: "No Land's Man" by Rochelle Renford (Jan. 24-30)
Thank you for bringing the injustice of Al-Arian's situation to light! Keep up the great articles!
Nadia Naviwala
Via e-mail
It is true that every form of printed or visual media is biased based on what it does and does not include, but I believe that opinions on Al-Arian have taken these views to their extremes. Dateline's story portrayed Al-Arian in a completely negative light. However, I would say that Weekly Planet is just as guilty of shading a story in a political direction. I have not yet seen anything as Pro-Al-Arian as the article published in this issue.
I am a computer science student at the University of South Florida. In fall 2001, I was a student of Al-Arian in his Logic Design class. I am sure that some students regard Al-Arian as helpful and friendly. I, personally, found him, to be indifferent and rude. All of the political jargon has clouded what I view as Al-Arian's most important role at USF. It seems that all the attention is on Al-Arian's political views and none is focused on the job for which Al-Arian came to USF: to teach.
Sean Barbeau
Via e-mail
Rolling Back Women's Rights
Re: "Corporations Behaving Badly: The 10 Worst Corporations of 2001" by Russell Mokhiber and Robert Weissman (Jan. 17-23)
Kudos to Weekly Planet for sharing this information regarding these corporations in your publication.
As a member of the National Organization for Women (NOW), I want to bring to light additional concerns about Wal-Mart. This is the corporation that refuses to fill prescriptions for emergency contraception, also known as the morning after pill. By refusing to provide the one contraceptive needed in an emergency, Wal-Mart shows complete disregard for the health needs of the thousands of women who use their pharmacies every day.
Recently Wal-Mart has been sued by a female employee alleging its policy of excluding coverage for prescription contraceptive drugs and devices under its employee health insurance plan violates Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The plaintiff charges that Wal-Mart "singles out female employees for disadvantageous treatment by excluding prescription contraceptives and related services from employee health plans."
And finally, a class action suit against Wal-Mart asserts that the nation's largest employer of women systematically discriminates against women in pay, promotion and training. The suit also alleges Wal-Mart retaliates against women who complain about the inequality. The suit points out that although women make up more than 72 percent of Wal-Mart's U.S. employees, less than one-third of store managers are women which is far less than female managers employed by Wal-Mart's main competitors.
Eleanor Cecil
Tampa NOW
Give 'em Hell, Fawn
Re: "Status Whoa" by Fawn Germer (Jan. 17-23)
To say that I agree with you and your assessment of the local "messes" would be huge understatement. When did everyone get so complacent? The news media, especially TV, have turned soft and no longer actually report relevant news or demand answers. A few weeks ago, Gail Sierens did a piece on Dennis Alvarez in his home. Their teasers suggested a hard-nosed interview of the mayoral race's possible frontrunner. What was aired amounted to pro-Alvarez fluff piece that had Gail eating out of the judge's hand.
Neil Lynch
Via e-mail
It's nice to see that there are more of us out there who are tired of the shenanigans that go on nationally, statewide and locally. I can also relate to the frustration of trying to convince apathetic and politically numbed people that there are alternatives out there.
I used to be one of those "Oh well that's just the way it is and the way it will always be" types until I discovered The Green Party. How refreshing it is for me and many others to concentrate our energies on effecting real change here in Tampa.
Charles Jackson
Hillsborough Green Party
Welcome to the Weekly Planet. May you, like Amy Goodman on Democracy Now, always be an exception to the rulers, and bring them continual hemorrhoids and splinters.
As a follower of alternative health for about the past 10 years, I feel like the average U.S. citizen is looked upon by government and industry as a possession to be cruelly milked for every mill, then cast aside when used up, abandoned for other plunder.
I don't mainline the news like I did a few years ago. I used to tune in Headline News with breakfast, lunch and dinner. I now tune in WMNF-88.5 FM at 7:30, Democracy Now most weekdays, and practically nothing on weekends. I just faxed my congressman and senators to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Enron; I'm hopeful, but I won't hold my breath.
Frank Starr
Via e-mail
From the sound of your article, you are off to a great start! I only wish you would remind those who might have tuned out to watch how you spend your money. Why send your hard-earned income to the same corporate inheritors that have shown their disrespect for working class people? Remind people to spend their money locally with small businesses whenever possible, buy organic foods and stay away from the corporate logos. They must, of course, exercise their right to vote and demand campaign finance reform. We must make it clear to our politicians that their votes should not be bought by corporate America. On a local level, how about an ordinance that prohibits real estate developers from running for mayor or county commissioner?
Kurt Polakoff
Green Key
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I, like you, have been disgusted and amazed at the unfolding Steve LaBrake scandal. I look forward to you taking on the "status whoa" and business as usual establishment and letting us informed citizens know how we can make some positive change!
Brandon Murray
Via e-mail
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Fawn Germer's mission statement while commendable, bears some examination. One wonders if there is enough ink at the Planet to do any real damage to the ingrained small town mandarins masquerading as a major metropolis. After all, the outside world doesn't call us Trampa for nothing.
Bill Harris
Ruskin
… … …
Unfortunately, for most of the residents of the Tampa Bay area, we are an empathetic bunch (with the emphasis on "pathetic") but not very proactive (or even reactive, for that matter). We all shake our heads when Greco doesn't fire LaBrake, but then what? The man would probably win a re-election by a landslide if there were one tomorrow. Why don't you also challenge your local media outlets more? I see very little of this on the local television news channels, and when it does pop up, it dies down in a day or two.
Ron Keller
Via e-mail
This article appears in Jan 31 – Feb 6, 2002.