Not Funny Enough
Your new cartoon Mild Abandon lives up to its name: it is mildly amusing. However, it is a poor replacement for the brilliant and biting This Modern World. The Valley Advocate is much diminished as a result.
David Cox
Amherst
It is really, really hard to believe that you consider Mild Abandon to be an acceptable replacement for This Modern World. I used to look at the Advocate for the movie times and the film clips (both long gone) and for This Modern World. Now This Modern World is gone, too—a loss for the Valley.
Robert H. Romer
Amherst
Editor’s note: In fact, the Advocate continues to publish movie times under the headline “In LocalTheaters” at the end of Jack Brown’s CinemaDope column.
We Need Nuke Power
Oil is a diminishing and expensive source of energy, and coal is dirty. Alternative energy sources, including solar and wind power, can only provide 10 percent to 20 percent of our energy requirements.
President Obama has increased government loan guarantees for new nuclear power plants from $18.5 billion to $54.5 billion, which should give impetus to the nuclear power industry.
There are 20 nuclear plants undergoing decommissioning, and we could construct new 2,000-megawatt units at these sites for a reduced investment by using the existing infrastructure. Nuclear plants have provided clean, cheap and safe power from 104 units. The only accident was at Three Mile Island, where almost all of the radiation was contained in the containment building. Subsequently, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission made changes in how it regulates nuclear power plants, and this has significantly reduced any risk to public safety.
We have to address the problem of leaking radioactive wastewater from underground pipes. The solution might be using higher-quality pipes or moving the pipes above ground where they can be easily monitored.
Another problem is the disposal of nuclear waste, which has been collecting on plant sites. The solution is to neutralize and recycle the waste. France has perfected a process to recycle nuclear waste, and it is able to generate 80 percent of its energy requirements from nuclear power.
We need more nuclear power plants to counter the effects of global warming, eliminate foreign oil purchases, and reduce the use of fossil fuels.
Donald A. Moskowitz
Londonderry, N.H.
Nailed It!
In regard to Mark Roessler’s review of our March 5 show at the Iron Horse (“A Bustle in Your Hedgerow: The Primate Fiasco takes on ‘Led Zeppelin IV’ and wins,” March 11): I can’t believe you compared me to Kermit the Frog. It was the highlight of my career.
Although I already expect good music journalism from the Advocate, I was really impressed with your review. Not only because it was a rave review, which is always nice, but because you really managed to convey the event to those who were not there. It’s great to read words from someone who really gets it. So many writers get caught up on the instruments that we’re playing, like a child looking at a shiny object—as if the tuba is some sort of prank. They often overlook the fact that there is a rowdy audience who is clearly not there to see a “jazz band.” You painted a beautiful picture of our guest performers, too. They deserved that. You really nailed it. I’m glad you were paying attention and have a way with words. Next time I miss a show, I will trust your review as the next best thing. Kermit the Frog. Ha!
Dave DelloRusso
Primate Fiasco
