Letters to the Editor

Let’s hear from cyclists

To The Editor:
Do cyclists’ lives count for nothing?

The headline of Patrick Hedlund’s article read “Mixed feelings on Ninth Ave. bike lane extension” (news article, Sept. 26). But only fierce opposition to the extension was voiced. Protected bike lanes can save countless cyclists’ lives and promote pollution-free transportation in our choked, congested town. These points were disregarded.

Unprotected bike lanes force cyclists down a potentially deadly gauntlet—car doors swing open curbside, and careless drivers careen into the lanes from the traffic side. Delivery vehicles routinely park in bike-only lanes, forcing cyclists into traffic. In short, a painted white line provides no protection. Far too many cyclists die every year in our town, and the danger discourages countless others from riding.

“It’s a waste of taxpayers’ money ... I don’t see a lot of people riding bikes,” Hedlund quoted a special patrolman. But if we make cycling safer—if we finally prize the lives of cyclists over the convenience of car owners—then what has worked in progressive cities around the world can surely work here!
Julie Delaurier

Tallmer’s loaded Palin piece

To The Editor:
I am a staunch Obama supporter—I don’t know whether I’m more afraid of a McCain presidency or that Sarah Palin might step into office if, as is very possible, McCain is unable to continue. But our cause is not served by irresponsible reportage such as Jerry Tallmer’s piece (“Palin’s book-censoring bent is blast for the past,” Talking Point, Sept. 12).

The story that Palin had attempted to ban books in her town’s library was pretty much discredited at least a week before you published this article. Since, apparently, she did inquire about the possibility of banning library books, it is certainly possible that she would have liked to do so. But several non-partisan fact-checking Web sites have determined that Palin did not pursue the matter after her initial inquiry.

I believe your publication should be responsible for fact-checking all the stories you print, but especially those which are as politically loaded as this one. This kind of fast-and-loose journalism not only makes you look foolish to those who are aware of the correct facts, but, worse, gives ammunition to those who delight in attacking the “liberal media.”

Shape up, folks!
P. Dillon

We must heal humanity

To The Editor:
Re “‘RENT’ and ‘Hair,’ how history repeats” (editorial, Sept. 19):

I was deeply and profoundly moved in my heart by the social conscience expressed here. The social ills laid out: lack of affordable housing; homelessness; being bogged down “in another quagmire war”; issues of patriotism, and drug addiction are very real.

The editorial ends stating “…all the more reason to fight for change.”

The root cause of these symptoms is that society has an infection. That infection is the set of values, priorities and attitudes adopted by the vast majority of our citizens. These values focus on hardened materialism; callous and ruthless indifference to the plight of the weakest and most vulnerable members of society; the belief that the ends justify the means; personal desires and personal pleasure; the cynical belief that it’s every man for himself; a predatory belief in exploiting others, etc.

The cure for this infection? A combination of primal therapy to open up hearts encrusted with cynicism and a regimen of consciousness expansion, including meditation, dream work and affirmations.

There is no other way. I appeal to Chelsea Now to print this.
Michael Gottlieb

Billy and the dancing Fox

To The Editor:
There is hope again in America, children. A revolutionary event that might be likened to the Boston Tea Party, or publication of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” has occurred. Reverend Billy, the supremely talented performance activist, who espouses the best tradition of radical politics one associates with Greenwich Village at its best, somehow, miraculously, managed to infiltrate the high temple of the right-wing propaganda machine, better known as Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News.

As I beheld in wonder the Rev’s remarkable media coup last month, my heart was filled with the same intensity of joy, political hope and, yes, even love that I experience during irregular “services” of the Church of Stop Shopping at St. Mark’s Church. I marveled as the Rev electrified this stodgy, soulless cathedral of network gloom — an intellectual dungeon divorced from any meaningful search for truth — delighting as he got the normally robotic Fox News anchor to…dance!

Might America be on the verge of dancing again?

Our unhealthy addition to consumerism — and the soul-killing work routines and wars that are the symptoms of this disease — might destroy our planet if we’re not careful. Which is why the Democratic Party must free itself from the toxic influence of corporate power, and become once again the party of the people it was under F.D.R.

Barack Obama would do well to tap Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping to entertain — and edify — at his inaugural ball.
John Bredin
Bredin is an executive board member, Village Independent Democrats

Hey, pols! Row with us!

To The Editor:
Re “Gay, gray and green color hearing on plan for Pier 40” (news article, Sept. 19):

Community Board 2’s public hearing two weeks ago on Pier 40 was truly remarkable. To be in a community discussion about what Pier 40 should entail — without the looming prospect of a mega-entertainment complex — is something that we in the West Village community should be celebrating. In the course of the hearing, members of the community stressed the importance of having space for middle schools, larger dog runs, public sports fields, space for the Village Community Boathouse and for a 24-hour L.G.B.T.Q. youth center.

Throughout the course of the night, it became clear that one of the fundamental links that holds these concerns together is the belief that no one wins if development decisions push out uses that are not seen as profitable.

The Village Community Boathouse extended an informal invitation to L.G.B.T.Q. youth to come row with them sometime. In some ways, we and others in the West Village have already accepted the invitation. This boat that we are all rowing is ultimately propelled by pushing development priorities that put people first.

We want to pass the invitation on to West Village elected officials and ask that they too hop in the boat and support a vital space for L.G.B.T.Q. youth on Pier 40. Quinn, Duane and Glick, come on out and row with us sometime, the water’s just fine.
Glo Ross
Ross is lead organizer, FIERCE (Fabulous Independent Educated Radicals for Community Empowerment)