Gnarly Hustle
The abyss of self: "American Hustle" (Jesse Marx and Allie Conti, May 15) is sad on so many levels. Andrea and Colin Chisholm, who claimed to be Scottish royalty, stole not only from welfare but also from the wellspring of character that is free for the taking. The nobility that defines true royalty is not on the market at any price. The rapacious pursuit of money and power, along with whatever baubles trail behind it, masks a bankrupt sense of self-worth. When the façade crumbles, all sorts of misery is left behind, for both the innocent and the complicit. The little Cavalier King Charles spaniels must be missing their mom about now, however well they're being cared for. They are a loving and sensitive breed. The story is newsworthy because of the scope of the Chisholms' manipulation, but this happens on every scale. The fortune and glory they feigned would never have been enough; they sought to fill an unfathomable abyss of self. And when it comes crashing down, both the accused and the betrayed are left shaking their heads. There is no one left to call. shojourner
Welfare is a Ponzi scheme: Way to defend your welfare system! Only about 5 percent of welfare-fraud investigations end up in court each year. So there is no telling how many are caught but settle and how many are not even caught. The welfare system is corrupt at the foundation — a Ponzi scheme by the government. Those who defend it are a low bunch. Sweetliberty17761776
Flipper the Bird
Bumper to bumper: Las Vegas has an amazing pinball museum ("Pinballin'," Kyle Swenson, May 15). It's free to get in, and there's a change machine to get quarters. Nice way to pass the time. I'd love to see something like that somewhere in South Florida. Gisselle Callejas
Sharp guys: Atticus and Jeff Palmer are the best pinball family since the Sharpes! Rudy
Rolling on: Is this why all of the bowling tournaments have been getting canceled? Rachel R. Levy Lewis
Midtown Madness
Big-buck lobby: Not a few, but rather a majority of owners at 2 Midtown Miami do not want, need, or can afford a $2.4 million lobby renovation. ("Midtown Machiavelli," Michael E. Miller, May 15). What's more, they want a board of directors that is transparent and communicative. Seth Cohen has proven he doesn't get it. He has publicly stated, "It's my building." DSMMiami
Cable-guy envy: I will never own another property that is controlled by others — period. I would rather have a 35-year-old ranch house in some blue-collar neighborhood with "cable-guy" trucks and boats parked in the driveways than have some condo commando decide how to spend my money! Sedona Sherpa
Condo-owner ignorance: This dispute over a lobby renovation is probably the least of this building's problems. Almost all condominiums in Florida are worthless. These dumb owners need to read their condo documents. Unfortunately, most condominium owners are dumb bottom feeders who are in way over their heads. DrumRollPlease
High-speed midtown: This is what happens when a previously industrial area — freight railroad lines and commercial and industrial zoning with no buffers or noise mitigation and traffic abatements — becomes marketed and promoted as high-end residential living with all the standard amenities (meaning proper cash reserves on the balance sheet). Midtown Miami is a dirty, grimy, dusty, noisy, crowded area with the typical limited parking and small parks to walk dogs. It has the requisite big-box retailers and a few overpriced tourist-trap restaurants and bars but limited resources such as libraries, schools, and public transportation. Building loading docks for daily deliveries and pick-ups and restaurant exhaust vents are inefficiently located and poorly planned. There's a conflict with quality of life; sidewalks are blocked and kitchens emit odors that are commonly noticeable. Pedestrian and vehicular traffic is as confusing and dangerous as elsewhere in Miami, and I would say many if not most owners were ill-advised to buy in midtown. This is another Miami real-estate misadventure that buyers are stuck with. The surrounding area remains a dump, and the promised improvements last only as long as the signs don't blow away in the wind. frankd4
Yippee: And now the residents will soon be able to shop at Walmart. Bob Horton
South Florida Personified
That's what Cavalli is: Cavalli Miami sounds exactly like everything I can't stand about South Beach — flash and cash ("Fashionable Fare," Sara Ventiera, May 15). I love the restaurants and venues that are getting back to substance and quality rather than selling us on overstated opulence. That type of mindset is tired, superficial, and dated. mindylove
