I strongly support getting rid of pennies. Two additional points: 1) To satisfy coin collectors, the mint could run off a certain number of all-“copper” pennies, to be sold at a modest profit. These would also be more attractive than zinc ones to artists. 2) If pennies were abolished, cash registers would have room for Sacagawea dollars. The more they come into circulation, the easier it will be to use vending machines.
Hugo S. Cunningham
Boston
Time’s a wastin’
Ummmm, guys? Regarding “Man or Mega Man," when you review a game can you please make it clear what platform you’re reviewing right from the top? It wasn’t clear that the Megaman review in the new issue was about the Nintendo DS until almost the end of the review. I don’t have a DS nor am I purchasing one, so I could have saved time by blowing off the review and moving on to another article of more interest. Thanks so much and keep up the great work.
Jeff Ducas
South Boston
All apologies. Somehow the info got deleted last week. — Ed.
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Yes to Noam
You’ve given a good, quick sketch of Noam Chomsky’s views. I especially agree with your point about his more-liberal critics. They would discredit him entirely on the basis of one or more specific assessments. His real contribution is an intellectually honest paradigm for evaluating public policy, which criticisms about his views on Israel, etc. do nothing to undercut.
Worth Swearingen
Aiken, South Carolina
Constitutional drag
I am sick of Republican gubernatorial candidate Kerry Healey’s cheap shots against those who defend the poor in the courts of this state! Article XI of the Massachusetts Constitution guarantees “open courts” and that justice must be available to all citizens. Unless attorneys continue to defend those who cannot pay, the innocent will be convicted, there will be no justice, and the courts will be for the rich. John Adams knew that; that is why he defended British troops accused of shooting down his fellow Bostonians in cold blood even though he was called a traitor for upholding the rule of law. When Deval Patrick and Tim Murray stood up for the Constitution, democracy, and the right to be treated as innocent until proven guilty, both of these courageous men were defending truth, justice, the constitutions of both Massachusetts and the United States, and the American way of life. Attacking these men for their courage is not just the politics of fear, but an attack on all that is good about America.
Deborah Sirotkin Butler, Esq.
Clerk, Massachusetts Association of Court Appointed Attorneys
Counsel member, Middlesex County Bar Association
Member, Massachusetts Bar Association and Juvenile Bar Association
Arlington
Mr. T
MBTA-related issues are largely ignored by the local press. With the Globe and Herald running PR for the MBTA, it’s easy to feel like there’s no voice for us lowly riders. I’d love to see the Phoenix run an editorial that is critical of the new and “improved” automatic turnstile system.
Paul Stewart
Watertown