Reader Comments

Response to “125th Street on the Line,” Feb 22:

This is the dilemma that the historic 18th & Vine redevelopment in Kansas City fought. Don’t be confused; there will be a systematic destruction of black culure in Harlem. Just like in Kansas City, they have watered down the jazz, whitened the blues and for a decade there has been no retail, no restaurants, none of the so-called economic development that was to follow these dazzling new buildings and concepts. The only thing that is viable is the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum on 18th St. This is just another way to put big money in the big developers’ pockets. What happens to the culture and the people is and has never been a concern. Just come to Kansas City and see what almost 20 years of development has done. —Anita

Responses to “Disaster Uranium: Democratic Presidential Candidates Backed by Nuclear Powerhouses,” Feb. 22:

Even though the “mainstream” media portrays the presidential race as consisting of only two parties, let’s not forget that there are other candidates out there. Ralph Nader announced his intention to run again for president. —Laurie

The nuclear renaissance has greenwashed global warming as its pet marketing strategy to the new age environmentalists. Most of them have fallen victim to this strategy, believing that nuclear energy will save the polar bears, the melting ice caps while total ignorance about the deadly cancer deaths, miscarriages, and diabetes on Native American reservations caused by uranium mining is largely forgotten. —Harold One Feather

Here we go again with The Indypendent taking Democrats to task. How cliché! The search for sustainable energy that doesn’t make us dependent on foreign oil is a daunting task. I’d like to see you so-called progressives do a story about that. —Blue State Democrat

Responses to “Bushwick Teens Resist Recruiting,” March 14:

I’m a Bushwick resident and have lived there all my life. Having attended Bushwick schools from elementary school through high school, I’m highly disappointed with the atmosphere. From my experience, most students go to community college or other barely competitive institutions of higher learning after high school. The residents are generally not motivated to excel in any kind of endeavor. Far too often teachers allow their students to settle for mediocrity. There are numerous existing mediums that can push Bushwickers past the limits that inner-city life imposes on them. The military is one of many. I’ve seen residents positively transformed by the discipline obtained from military service. It’s foolish for organizations such as Make the Road to discount the military as a possible stepping stone to a better life. There is risk involved, but people must be willing to take risks when necessary in order to achieve a better life. —Believe

I agree completely. Bushwick students are full of potential and are fully capable and ready to pursue high education. Though when there is not equity in resources in our public schools, particularly within the college process, and when military recruiters are seen in the schools and Harvard University recruiters are not, it seems difficult to lay the blame upon the students, or the wider community. Yes young people in Bushwick are looking to pursue high eduation. Yes students in Bushwick are ready to take on the challenge of college and developing careers. It is not just about believing in them, as many folks working in the school and living in the community already do, it is about offering and creating the same opportunities as offered to other students in the city. Young people in Bushwick have the potential, as do other youth across the city, to create change in our system and build a more equitable society based on truth, compassion and justice. —Take a moment

Response to “Iraq’s Wrecked Environment,” March 14:

This piece of “journalism” is based on review of literature (biased at that). Those who care about the environment of Iraq, are hard at work recovering the largest wetland in southeast Asia, namely the marshes of Mesopotamia. As we stand today, almost 68 percent of the marshes have been reflooded and over 60 percent of the reflooded areas are in a state of vigorous recovery — a feat not possible had Saddam and his cronies still been in charge of Iraq. Where is that factoid in the article? Nowhere to be seen, because it does not fit the agenda of the writer. Please note that I am not writing in support of war, but actually, I am one of those who believe that there is nothing in this world that is black and white. There are only shades of gray. Thus, I distrust any “lopsided” articles, be they from the left or the right. —Azzam Alwash, CEO of Nature Iraq and environmental activist, natureiraq.org

Response to “Keeping the Faith: Local Group Stands Up for Detained Immigrants,” Feb 22:

It’s not often progressive left-wing publications take a honest look at faith communities and their activism. Kudos. The Left needs to engage these faith communities. —Anonymous

Response to “Volcano of War May Erupt in Chiapas,” Feb. 22:

While the explosions of 1994 are now a distant memory for many, it is important for people to remember that Chiapas is, and should still be considered, a low-intensity warzone. Aggressions are happening once again with great frequency, not just against rural indigenous communities, but also in harrassment against those working in the cities in solidarity with the EZLN. Without articles like this one helping to build awareness, we won’t stand a chance against the status quo. —SSG