Don’t Dis President’s Book
The writer who went to the trouble to include Barack Obama’s book Of Thee I Sing in the section “In the Remainder Pile” (“Halos and Horns,” December 30, 2010) with the misleading and snarky comment, “Wonderfully illustrated, but people are hurting out there—are we really paying this guy to write children’s books while he’s in office?” needs to fact-check—an integral part of journalism, no?
While published this year, the book was written before President Obama took office—a fact noted in every review I’ve read. In addition, 100 percent of the profits are being donated to children of disabled veterans. I don’t expect GlennBeckianisms from the Advocate, but I guess from now on I’d better be on the lookout.
Mary Benisek
via email
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Cheers for Valley Free Radio
Although I’ve been in the Valley 10 years now, I must sheepishly admit that I’ve never tuned in to Valley Free Radio. I’m just not a radiohead. But I’m not a podcast-listening i-Podder, either. I’m one of those increasingly rare specimens who gets most all of my info visually: reading.
That said, after reading your article [“Friendly Neighborhood Pirate Radio,” December 23, 2010], I’m actually going to make a point to tune in. Communication which is not beholden to commerce counts way high in my book!
And I must put in my two cents about the Mo Show—it is indeed a loss to know that Mo has been forced to fold her show, even though I’ve never heard it. I first learned about the phenomenon that is Mo through the weekly arts listings e-newsletter that she started (now passed on to other capable hands and renamed The Valley Arts Newsletter).
Her passion for and dedication to promoting arts and culture in the Valley, over many years, with great organizational talent, wordsmithing extraordinaire, and an ability to link ideas and people, have been a gift beyond measure. I’ve been thankful that she has maintained her blog, which I relish, even while needing to let other things go.
I look forward to tuning in to VFR and getting to know other local luminaries who undoubtedly have wonderful gifts of their own that they are able to share, thanks to the VFR platform. Thanks, all, for your passion, creativity and voices! You’re part of what makes the Valley great!
Sarah Bliss
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Thanks for telling us foreigners how real people in the U.S.A. can be free and live their own way, far from the stereotypes so commonly shown by the news and the (de)press. Anyhow, please congratulate Mo and company for their work—even if I can’t listen to their radio (Switzerland is really almost another world).
Claudia Mendoza
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Wow, I only just got to reading the article in the Advocate and these fabulous posts. Mo is truly amazing; it was a gas being a guest on her show. I hope she’ll invite me again and we’ll rattle more than just paper.
Mark’s article took me back. I often wish I had a transistor like I did at 12 years old, and would listen continuously, especially under my pillow. I love the randomness of listening to live radio and spend my 45-minute daily commute wandering across the dials. Mark’s description of Mo’s interviewing style reminded me of Diane Arbus’ photographing style: relax your subject, reach in for the real stuff and make it shine. What Diane did visually, Mo does with words, but with gleeful fun and fast-thinking intelligence.
Mo is a wizard, and I hope she keeps writing; I’ll be tuning in.
Sheryl Ann Jaffe
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The Right to Be Rich
How interesting it is for Americans who were born here or who die to get here, knowing that they live or would live in the Land of Opportunity, now to have the audacity to say you shouldn’t get rich or be rich.
That is why the boats landed here, folks. Our ancestors did not like owning nothing and giving everything to kings and queens and emperors and other rulers. They came here to own land, cultivate land, buy land, and live on the land. Some got lucky.
Is it not the rich who give money around the world to set up businesses, large manufacturing companies? Not many middle-class citizens can do that, but middle-class folks in America are the spokes to the richest wheels in our culture. Rich folks need us to buy what they make or grow. If rich people did not take risks, then who would?
Our government is the culprit here. They have so much money from all of us taxpayers, and because of greed and special interest groups, they not only want more, but will take it from anyone, not just the rich. Free enterprise and hard work are how our ancestors made America work and I do not want that to ever change. I love liberty, freedom and the American way. Do I wish I was rich? Of course I do. Do I get envious and jealous because someone has more than I do? No. Why not let people be free to make money or not make money? To be rich or not to be rich?
Anne Gelinas
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Bad PR for Animal Products
This has not been a good year for the meat, dairy and egg industries.
In January, ABC News provided extensive coverage of cow abuse by the dairy industry. The BP oil spill in April called attention to an even larger Gulf “dead zone” caused by the massive amounts of animal waste dumped every day by the Mississippi river. A month later, a U.N. report urged a global shift towards a vegan diet to reduce world hunger and climate change.
In June, FDA asked factory farms to stop routine use of antibiotics that lead to drug-resistant bacterial infections in humans. August witnessed the largest ever recall of more than half a billion eggs harboring salmonella.
Finally, this month, President Obama signed into law the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act to replace fatty animal products and other junk foods in school lunches and vending machines. According to the School Nutrition Association, 65 percent of U.S. schools now offer vegetarian lunch options.
For a New Year’s resolution, we should all consider following suit. I found a great website at www.LiveVegan.org with recipes and tons of other useful info.
Eddie Buster
Easthampton
