Life saver
For various—and to me, valid—reasons I am opposed to human cloning. Still, I wish there were some way in which to duplicate Ted Rall. If not his very being, at least the fast track on which his brain cells run, and the blinding sharpness of his ability to sniff out the phony. The patently untrue. The dangerously stupid.
Rall’s columns are often painful to read, because of the blinding sharpness referred to above. But it’s a healthy syndrome. His words tell me that, in spite of an Administration whose ineptness is far surpassed by its capacity to do harm, it hasn’t affected my own ability to sniff. There is a strange comfort in seeing one’s own opinions and impressions and, yes, fears spread out so comprehensively. And to realize that were it possible for Rall’s “tribe to increase,” his solutions would become not only the flavor of the week, but the saver of our now uncertain future. Thanks for publishing him.
Barbara Rich
Charlottesville
Raising awareness
I am very appreciative for C-VILLE Weekly’s interest in my efforts to promote positive father involvement through the Charlottesville Fatherhood Initiative as demonstrated by your profile [“Father figure,” Fishbowl, May 20]. With your indulgence I would like to clarify three points.
The Good Dads Program referred to in the article is actually a program of Children, Youth & Family Services Inc. CYFS offers a range of services in support of the children and families in our community. They have been staunch supporters and an invaluable partner to CFI.
My second point is actually from my children. They wanted to say that their restriction from most electronic media took place when they were younger. Now as teenagers and beyond, they report they haven’t felt deprived. As parents we focused on helping our kids explore the world and express themselves in it. This was greatly helped by supportive family, friends and school settings.
Lastly, the article does not mention my wonderful wife, Mary. We have been equal partners in our adventure as parents for more than 20 years. She persevered through 14 years of pregnancies and breast-feeding and has maintained her positive attitude and deep wisdom throughout our marriage. Her support, insights and encouragements are an important contribution to my work with Fatherhood Initiative.
Thank you again for your interest in the Charlottesville Fatherhood Initiative.
Josh Stewart-Silver
Charlottesville
Damaged goods
Perhaps a closer look at the photo included with your article about struggling children’s resale in Charlottesville [“Resale for sale,” Fishbowl, June 3] can help explain—observe the sign that reads “no playing with toys.” I visited My Silly Goose with my two children, who are admittedly noisy but well behaved. It was made clear by Ms. Juers that children were not welcome in her store, which is also overpriced compared to equivalent adult clothing consignment shops. My older son merely pointed at one of the toys for sale and she ran over and followed him throughout the store. This is in contrast to the semi-annual Lollipop Shop children’s consignment for charity run by Christy Wenzel, where children are most certainly made to feel like important customers as well as their parents. Perhaps Ms. Juers should look inward for a reason for her lack of traffic—I tried it and decided not to go back and I am probably not the only one.
Mary Ellen Wagner
Ruckersville