Letters from the Issue of February 9, 2006

They think a pet is trainable within five minutes and that it understands human language or is psychic. So when they find the pet chewing on shoes or pooping on the carpet, they beat the hell out of it and then let it loose out on the streets to die or be picked up and euthanized by Miami-Dade Animal Services. This is the fault of neither the pet nor Ms. Pizano.

This county needs owners to swear before a notary that they will care for a pet and that they will neither abandon nor torture it. The punishment? A fine and imprisonment. The owner would register, post the registration on his or her house, and carry a copy like a driver license.

If a pet were found loose on the street or dead, the owner would be fined and thrown in prison. Any owner who turned a pet into animal services would have to serve some days in jail.

I guarantee you that if you throw enough negligent pet owners in jail, the situation at Miami-Dade Animal Services would improve dramatically and quickly. The poor, maligned Ms. Pizano would be able to do her job more effectively.

E. Marcos
Fontainebleau

Nor is she a fashion critic: In response to The Bitch's scathing review ("One Dead Groove," January 26) of the lovely literary evening we enjoyed at Luna Star Café: Her ignorance is showing. Why else would 60 people pack themselves into a coffee shop if not to be entertained by literary luminaries? What type of entertainment was she expecting at a coffeehouse anyway?

Campbell McGrath is one of the best-known modern poets in literary circles. The Bitch did not do research. Perhaps she should try enrolling in one of Mr. McGrath's classes to enlighten her narrow mind.

As far as my frumpy cardigan is concerned, it is a family heirloom well over 30 years old. It belonged to my beloved grandmother. In case she doesn't like the version in brown, I have its twin in royal blue.

Why doesn't she try screaming into a snare drum ... rrrrright?

Jane Morgenstern
Lake Worth

Even a poet can blow it: I can't help but muse: Why would New Times send a fashion critic to a poetry review?

Michael Hettich and Campbell McGrath are not only local treasures. They are respected all over the nation by people who have actually read their work (unlike The Bitch). Laura McDermott works very hard to provide a forum for local poets. Anyone who promotes the arts in this godforsaken city should be applauded rather than compared to some teenybopper star. Badly done, New Times!

Susan Parsons
Miami Beach

Green, green, my world is green: I am writing in response to the mean-spirited Bitch column posted January 26, "One Dead Groove." I was in attendance at this event in support of its organizer, Laura McDermott. The personal attacks on Ms. McDermott and her guests were completely inappropriate and lacked any editorial value. If your reporter did not like the event, then he/she should have stated that and then elaborated on the reasons that support that stance. To personally attack Ms. McDermott and the guests was an inaccurate, vicious blow below the belt. I cannot believe your establishment would actually pay someone to write such irrelevant babble.

And yes, I, the woman preoccupied with her mixed greens, was quite hungry that day. I had just left a long day of work, followed by a yoga class, and I wanted to support my friend in her endeavor. The Luna Star is a café — it serves food. I think I have the right to eat a salad if I so choose!

Shelby Gilbert
Miami

Yellow, yellow, our journalism is yellow: I used to be a fan of Miami New Times, and I think there is a need for alternative papers, which your paper, until now, has adequately filled. I am also a freelance writer, a teacher of creative nonfiction for the Florida Center for the Literary Arts, and an MFA candidate in FIU's creative writing program.

All newspapers, whether alternative or mainstream, gain credibility by reporting the facts and by employing hard-working, honest journalists. New Times has lost all credibility to me.

I also believe The Bitch has done a tremendous disservice to Luna Star, to Laura McDermott, and to all of the writers, teachers, and patrons who have supported the Literary Salon. There are too few places where writers can go to mingle and hear each others' work. Laura, who organizes this reading series on her own time and without pay, deserves our gratitude. She does not deserve to be victimized by lazy reporting.

The Literary Café is a win-win event for everyone — it draws people to Luna Star, it brings writers together, and it gives both literary aficionados and beer connoisseurs a great thing to do once a month.

So Bitch or no Bitch, I think Luna Star and the Literary Salon will continue to thrive.

Melanie S. Neale
Fort Lauderdale

Miami New Times has an opening for a music editor. This full-time position entails planning and editing the weekly music section, writing feature stories and a weekly column, and working with freelancers. Qualified candidates must have strong writing and organizational skills and be well versed in hip-hop, DJ/dance, Latin, and indie rock. Applicants should send a cover letter, resumé, and five clips to Jean Carey, managing editor, 2800 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33137.