Letters

Woes All the Way to Their Toes
Excellently written piece by Paul Demko on the Miami Fusion woes ("Total ConFusion," June 24)! It's very refreshing to read a well-researched article on soccer. Thanks and keep up the good work.

Daniel Zirin
via the Internet

The Redemption of Crime Boy Lies in Socialism
Reforming individual criminals is not the answer to the problems we face in the poor areas of our cities, where most crime occurs ("The Redemption of Crime Boy," Harris Meyer, June 17). Our society must stop the cause of crime, which is poverty. Otherwise the conditions will only produce more criminals. And you will have to keep reforming these new ones.

These problems are inherent in the capitalist system. We need to go Socialist. Or "the poor will always be with us."

Bob Andrews
Fort Lauderdale

Forget Socialism, What's Needed Is a Fiscal Conservative
Thank you for the insightful article "Mean Streets" (Paul Belden, June 10). All the recent publicity given the "Helping People in America" COSAC group has done more for the public's education on homeless panhandling than I could have hoped for. Being fiscally conservative and socially responsible, I always like to hear where the charitable dollar really goes and how it's spent before I make the decision to contribute or withhold my support.

Although COSAC boasts of providing 70 beds for homeless individuals and "making room for more when the need arises," I too am concerned about what else they provide in the way of conventional rehabilitation and what rules -- such as fire safety and zoning laws -- they may be bending to do so.

I am not a believer that all means justify an end. Rules and regulations that produce quantifiable outcomes are in place to protect all of us, the helpers and the disadvantaged.

While COSAC defends its housing and fundraising practices as innovative and experimental, I cannot help but infer from the story that those practices may be exploiting, enabling, and entrapping the homeless individuals they purport to help. Some good may come of what they do, but at what cost to the panhandler, the charitable driver who puts a quarter in a jug and thinks his part in solving the homeless dilemma is done, the public's growing compassion fatigue, and the image of the provider community as a whole?

If COSAC qualifies for a public grant, I would hope the funds will not be hidden in a closet in West Broward suburbia and all the benchmarks set for social service providers are met.

Amy Jones Hamilton
Fort Lauderdale

Gays Don't Need Attention, at Least Not From New Times
In your response to the letter "We've Been Called Worse" (Letters, June 10), I am still confused as to why NewTimes found it was necessary to inform its readers of what does or does not go on in local gay bars ("Sexual Roulette," Jay Cheshes, May 27). Why were Eagle, Chaps, and Ramrod singled out? The article did nothing more than fuel the ongoing misconceptions of gays here in South Florida. I wonder why Mr. Cheshes didn't report on any of the "straight" establishments in the area?

In his article he reports that the spread of HIV "is clearly surging" among "heterosexual women, Haitians, and African-Americans." Because of articles like this, we (the gay community) took the bull by the horns and educated ourselves on HIV issues. Because of us, the rest of the populace has a better chance of survival from HIV infection and related illness.

As I look through the current issue of New Times, I see 10 paid advertisements for Sex Shops/Boutiques & Escorts catering to the straight community in the first 11 pages alone. I think Mr. Cheshes should focus his attention on the groups that need it and not use the gay community as a way of getting attention. Enough is enough.

Mark Cullen
Fort Lauderdale

Straight People Need Attention
In publishing the article "Sexual Roulette," it was stated your intent was to inform people in the community of an important subject involving people in the community. I am trying to figure out what that "important subject" was that you alluded to in your reasoning.

Why would you think sexual activities allegedly happening in area clubs should be anyone's concern? And if they are a concern, are we going to see a follow-up story about straight guys searching out blow jobs in local straight clubs? I am curious as to who the person was in your organization that thought this was a worthwhile use of resources. I also question the competence of Barry Margolis in asking when is a good time to see sex going on. This man is a detective?

Once again, activities between consenting adults will be keeping the Keystone Kops scurrying from club to club, hoping to catch perpetrators of victimless crimes in action.

Let's lighten up, fellas, and leave the clubs alone.
(P.S. Detective Margolis, the best time to watch sex is when you can't get any.)

Frank Troha
Coconut Grove

Editor's note: New Times does not discriminate based on sexual orientation. Last year we published a story about the sexual practices of the heterosexual men and women who frequent swingers clubs in Broward County ("Swingers Redux," Sean Rowe, June 11, 1998).