To the editor,
I am a regular reader of The Brooklyn Paper, so I certainly understand and appreciate Editor Gersh Kuntzman’s sense of humor, but the headline on the article about Isaac Abraham (“Jew gotta be kidding! Isaac skips church forum,” March 21) went way too far.
This is not a Right or Left issue, but that headline is flat out racist against Jews, of which Kuntzman is one. It’s not a funny headline. It’s smelly.
At this time, when there is so much bad stuff going on in the world, headlines like that don’t help.
I have always appreciated Gersh Kuntzman’s friendship, and The Brooklyn Paper’s support of my musical ventures, but this time, The Paper went way over the line.Danny Kalb, Park Slope
The pong show
To the editor,
Great idea about the ping pong tournament — NOT! (“The Brooklyn Paper’s March Madness Ping Pong Classic!,” online, March 20).
Two weeks ago, River Cafe challenged Water Street Restaurant to a ping pong tournament. It lasted for two days into the wee hours of the morning, and Water Street was triumphant. Afterwards, I called your paper and challenged you and your inborn co-workers to take us on.
Now I see you are doing your own thing, despite our generous offer of our venue and table.
OK, that’s fine. But once you have completed your games, we at Water Street Restaurant challenge you to a winner-take-all contest.
Put that in your smoke and pipe it.
I will even provide a hamburger as we discuss the particulars. I await your cal.Jeffrey Rodman, DUMBO
The writer is owner of the Water Street Restaurant & Lounge.
Editor’s note: When challenged so boldly, The Brooklyn Paper’s policy has been to publish a three-word response: Bring it on. But given the promise of a free hamburger, we’ve include some extra words: Bring it on — and we like our burgers medium rare.
Singing out
To the editor,
I saw your story about Community Board 10’s rejection of a karaoke bar (“Name this tune? Karaoke bar says board is clueless,” March 21) and have to remind everyone that there are already plenty of karaoke bars around Eighth Avenue and 64th Street.
But, more important, the board is acting in a racist manner to say that there will be prostitution at the bar.
Kevin Chen, Bensonhurst
You’re wrong
To the editor,
Your editorial last week (“No to MTA bailout,” March 21) rejects widespread calls by transit advocates to rescue the MTA. And it glosses over an inescapable reality: unless the state legislature intervenes, transit service will be cut dramatically and fares will skyrocket, with riders assuming the entire economic burden.
We agree that the MTA needs reform and support the Ravitch Commission’s reform recommendations.
The MTA also should provide more detailed reporting on its finances.
Unfortunately, MTA reform without a massive infusion of funding will not solve the crisis. New York transit riders simply cannot afford a system-wide reduction in service and double-digit fare increases during one of the most challenging economic environments in American history.
Mary Barber, Manhattan
The writer is managing director for living cities at the Environmental Defense Fund.
