MAILBOX

This week: We receive some compliments for our attention to Hillary’s cleavage problem, but not everyone’s happy with our breast exposure; fans look for their answers in the stars (and crossword puzzle); a vote for Wal-Mart from outside the boroughs; and Amy Goodman is called out for her illogic.

Cleavage Consensus
This was an entertaining and witty article (“Being a Person of Cleavage,” Aug. 8-14), and I agree with the writer that the Post article about Clinton was creepy. Yes, apparently a woman CAN be a creep. This is going to be fascinating political cycle—I hope you plan to make Ms. Kushner a regular columnist.
—Sarah M. Frazier

This article hit the nail right on the head! When are we going to get past issues like appearance with women politicians? Thank you for publishing something rational AND funny.
—Ginny Rafferty

Wow, that article pretty much says it all: Women demand equality, to be taken seriously and given the same opportunities as men, and yet here is one of our own, Ms. Givhans, who made it a crusade to point out that Clinton does indeed have cleavage. I can’t wait for Ms. Givhans to point out the unsightly crotch bulge (or lack thereof) of male candidates.
Ms. Kushner’s article struck an inner chord in this once Republican, now Democrat, and gracefully points out the absurdity of the media in their frenzy to become “known” through the nit-picking and general “make it up as you go along to be controversial” coverage of this election.
—Penny Blankenship

Boob Bombshell

Shame on you for checking out Hillary’s tits (“Hillary’s Cleavage Problem,” Aug. 8-14). In your initial publication under your new team of equity investment supporters (pun intended), you were caught with your pants down in what to expect from the revised editions of the New York Press. If this issue is any indication of where your change of direction is headed, you’ll join the pornographic ranks of the legacy of Goldstein’s Screw magazine and flush your journalistic talents right into the sewer, along with the plunging bustlines and Dow Jones averages of late.
Instead of cleavage exposure, you should “expose” the “naked” and “bare” truth about our beloved city’s unfit political, social, economic and environmental underpinnings. Bring back your tried and true past “alternate” format. But that is unlikely in view of the publicized distaste for it by the new titan investors now controlling your pages. We need an alternate voice, especially in Manhattan at this period of time, but it seems unfortunate that you’re not up to that challenge of providing it. Tell your big shots to refrain from meddling with our media. But, then, that would jeopardize your already-shaky position. But it would uphold your journalistic integrity. You must decide.
—Peter E. Zaccone, NYC

Star Quandry

My name is Brian Barefoot, and I am a New Yorker and a regular reader of your publication. It has come to my attention that your loyal readers have lost what I, and I am certain many, now consider to be a staple of the paper. I am talking about “Sign Language” by Caeriel. Whatever you may or may not feel/believe about astrology, this column was always good for catalyzing thought and often a good laugh in my day. The writing is insightful and clever and, frankly, one of the more interesting offerings from the rag. I don’t know in what direction the editorial staff has decided to turn, but I honestly hope you do not just start hacking away ay our favorites without regard to our attachments to things we have come to love.
—Brian Barefoot

EDITOR’S NOTE: So sorry you missed “Sign Language” last week. No need to fret, Caeriel’s astrology column can be found on page 46.

Retail Choiceless

John DeSio is just one of many reasons why intelligent New Yorkers look for his article in every edition of New York Press. Manhattan Media has made a wise investment in adding New York Press to your ever-growing family, and Mr. DeSio once again has the pulse on what average New Yorkers are thinking about in “Retail Check-Up” (Aug. 8-14) concerning the White Plains Wal-Mart store in Westchester County.
NYC Council Finance Committee Chairperson and aspiring 2009 candidate for NYC Comptroller David Weprin will be the Grinch once again for New Yorkers looking for affordable medicines, children’s clothing and school supplies. His past statement that “he would consider allowing Wal-Mart into the city if they played by our rules” is both bad news for New Yorkers and the height of arrogance. Why should Councilmember Weprin, Council Speaker Quinn and their council colleagues set the rules for who can or can’t open a business?

Intelligent Democratic Primary voters in 2009 will remember both Quinn and Weprin’s anti-consumer positions when selecting the next best respective NYC mayor and comptroller.
—Larry Penner, Great Neck, NY


Children’s Health-Careless

Hmmmmm. The proposed State Chldren’s Health Insurance Program will further raise cigarette taxes to provide health insurance for poor children (Amy Goodman: “Children’s Health Care a No-Brainer,” Aug. 1-7). A much better idea would be if the money went directly to paying for care for these kids, and not into the coffers of the insurance companies. Or, for that matter, to fund antismoking groups, which is where lots of cigarette tax money ends up. Smokers should not be forced to pay for their own persecution and the lengthy quote about how a higher tax supposedly reaps fiscal and health benefits leads this reader to believe that this bill is primarily another government attempt to force people to quit smoking.
One further quibble: If you base funding for a program on taxing something you hope will shrink, aren’t you shrinking the funding for the program??? I usualy side with Amy Goodman and against George Bush, but this time I say, “Veto the sucker, W.”
—Matt Bocaperto, Brooklyn, NYC