To the Editor:

You claim that Hollywood has a detachment from larger social problems despite the fact that Crash, Milk, and Slumdog Millionaire were three out of the last five Best Picture winners. I guess racism, gay civil rights and international poverty aren't large enough social issues for you.

Alter The Path
San Francisco

Ed. Note: Although Sean Penn was awarded Best Actor for his role as Harvey Milk, "Milk" did not win Best Picture.



To the Editor:

I saw and highly recommend the "Hurt Locker." Maybe I misheard what Ms. Bigelow said in her Oscar acceptance speech. Here's what I heard: "I'd just like to dedicate this to the women and men in the military who risk their lives on a daily basis in Iraq and Afghanistan and around the world. And may they come home safe." To me, one of the strength's of the film was that it doesn't pander or preach. While the film is set in Iraq, it is not about the causes and consequences of the Iraq War. Rather, it is about the notion of war as an addiction. Will James, the lead character, is a hopeless war addict, a danger junkie sacrificing good sense and other peoples' safety to his habit. The "Hurt Locker" deserved the Oscar for Best Picture.

Ralph E. Stone
San Francisco



To the Editor:

The other issue, as reported by Jeremy Scahill, is that Bigelow hired Blackwater mercs as technical advisors. Screenwriter Mark Boal contacted The Nation in response to Jeremy Scahill's article, "Blackwater and The Hurt Locker". Boal argued that Blackwater was never hired AS A FIRM, but acknowledged that individual "contractors or mercenaries" were plentiful on the set. Boal went on to say that, "It's possible that at some point somebody on set worked for Blackwater, but we never hired Blackwater."

Thomas Good
Staten Island, NY



To the Editor:

Thank You for mentioning the residential parking permit fee. It is probably the best deal in the city. $96 per year is far less than a garage space costs per month. A parking space in a residential multi-unit building that is rented or owned is valued at aproximately $130 per month ($1560 per year.) A space in an open parking lot is $8 per day ... if you are lucky and very early. ($2080 per year based on a 5 day work week.) An enclosed garage space $10, $12, $15, $25 or more per day. A parking meter $2 per hour. The residential parking permit ... LESS THAN 27 cents per day. ***WHAT A DEAL***

Ann DuFrane
San Francisco



To the Editor:

SPUR's proposal is clearly off the wall - its based on a spurious claim made some years ago that the fall off in meter revenue in SF is because of -- disabled people parking for free all day. It's certainly NOT the fact you can walk up and down any downtown street and see one in four or five cars sitting at an expired meter (with no ticket) because, well then MTA would have to take the blame for failing to collect the cash (just like it fails to get something like $18 million in bus fare). It's also likely that most of the downtown placards are used by commuters -- who would never have to pay the $300 and ... let's just say SPUR is once again off the wall with this idea and should be ashamed of it.

David Grant
San Francisco



To the Editor:

I agree that most of the actions for education seem cathartic for the protestors, but will not change one vote against budget cuts at the Capitol. What is needed is a strategy to make legislators accountable for their votes. That is why the march from Bakersfield to Sacramento sponsored by the California Federation of Teachers and a broad coalition of labor groups is different. During the rallies in the Central Valley, we will recruit people to volunteer on our election campaigns in June.

Dean Murakami
Sacramento, CA



To the Editor:

The American Dream that was lived in Post WW-2 America is tainted. I am a Service Connected Veteran Baby Boomer who was born in the 50s when patriotism was BIG. Why not after all the wealth was more evenly distributed than any other time in History. Americans were cruising proudly in their American made cars,and the citizens trusted their government. The economy had been stimulated just before THE WAR, and Middle Class America grew. The American Pie was BIG enough for everyone to have a slice. Americans were trusting that the Government would regulate and keep Big Business in check. The Stock market grew bigger and more easy to manipulate and then the Shysters went to town.

Trading became a split second business. The REAL investors in for the long term were powerless at times. Then the quest for greed got so great that FUZZY MATH was introduced in the form of derivatives. Warren Buffet said "derivative are the financial weapons of mass destruction." Warren plays by ethical rules and is in for the LONG TERM. This man also creates JOBS. Then we have the GREEDY Bankers who think absurd bonuses are ethical after taking BAILOUT money. Then we have the Shysters who short sell to the same client they used for leverage. Where do these idiots think the money comes from? There has to be a loser when these tactics are used.

The need for a separate market for long term and Retirement accounts is over due. The greedy idiots taking too large a slice of that American Pie make it hard for all. That pie is so TASTY after all. GOD BLESS AMERICA

Tim Giangiobbe
San Francisco



You can submit letters to the editor by clicking on this link: feedback@beyondchron.org or by writing to:

Beyond Chron
126 Hyde Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-771-9850 (phone)