Letters from the Issue of August 17, 2006

Children's books aren't the issue: Regarding Rob Jordan's story "Commie Book Ban" (August 10): Being the son of an ex-political prisoner of Cuba, I find this to be a sad political game and media whoring on behalf of Cubans who care less about Cuba being free and more about Cuban pride and their own private agendas. To have this silly children's book brought to the attention of a weak and shameless media that already should be reporting continuously and unbiasedly on more pressing and urgent matters — such as our government's abuse of power and its contempt for the laws of the land, or even the Middle East conflicts — than reporting on a children's book.

This book may not be accurate by any sense of the word, but it is not enough to respectively garner any serious coverage. Banning this book is as ineffective as the Cuban embargo at eliminating a dictator when the rest of the world, especially corporations, does not even register the Cuban issue. So please stop instigating private agendas and start reporting on what matters. If Cuba matters this much, then report on how the Cuban embargo is a shameless tool of the Republican party to hold onto a hard-headed Cuban community bent on winning an old grudge rather then securing their children's, if not their own, futures in America.

Ariel Capote
Miami Beach

Better read, uh, red: Rob Jordan's story "Commie Book Ban" is an interesting take on what's really behind the Vamos a Cuba debate. I just wanted to clear something up: Some of my best friends teach. Really, I'm not just screwing around. I even teach sometimes. And, for the record, most teachers' union Commies are cool with me too. They don't worry me nearly as much as the reds under my bed. Damn noisy rabble. I swear to God they're organizing.

Okay, so thanks for all the fish.

Michael Caputo
Bay Harbor Islands

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Takes one to know one? Regarding Trevor Aaronson's "Classroom Felon, Part 2" (August 10): I am a third-year law school student at St. Thomas University. Out of all the classes I have had to date, I found professor Steven Clark's to be the best at teaching law school students what the real world of law will be like. I feel that I am able to make such a comment because many of my family members are lawyers.

I think many law schools just teach you how to pass the state bar exam. Clark is the type of teacher who teaches his students how to practice law in the real world. There are very few teachers who are experts in their fields who decide to teach, but there are many mediocre professionals who choose to teach because they cannot make it in the real world. Just as Dan Marino would make a fine football coach, Clark is a great teacher of criminal law. If the police are looking for you, you should be looking for a lawyer who took Clark's criminal law class.

Lowell Kuvin
Miami Beach

People can and do change: I appreciate the article "Classroom Felon" (July 13) by Trevor Aaronson. It validates some aspirations I have of going to law school. I am a convicted felon. People can change and progressively move toward positive life experiences. I read a story about Cupcake Brown and now this one. Thanks for shedding light on people who in some way are an inspiration to others, climbing out from under the hideous perception of "felon." Good job.

Parrish Godchild
Nashville, Tennessee

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Even socks and Birkenstocks are better: Regarding The Bitch's column about men wearing sandals, "The Scourge of Mandals" (August 10): God, was she on target. My girlfriend and I have long discussions about this. I think it has become an epidemic, for Christ's sake, particularly here in South Florida, where every dickhead visiting from points north is wearing some kind of flip-flops, allowing the most hideous exposure of feet that have been covered up at least eight months of the year. Then we have to look at the ugliest feet in the world wearing freakin' sandals. The only thing I ask is: Somehow, someway, can we pass an ordinance forbidding anyone with ugly feet and toes from wearing sandals, flip-flops, and the like? By the way, I never, ever wear flip-flops or sandals in public. However, women with pretty feet are of course encouraged to wear sandals — and six-inch stilettos.

Charles E. Byrd
Buena Vista