‘Star Wars Mania’

I read Meghan Clyne’s piece on the “Star Wars Mania” and was quite disappointed in her predictable banter about the folks waiting on line for the upcoming “Star Wars” movie [“Taking the Whole ‘Star Wars’ Mania Thing Too Far May Signal More Than Han Solo Mania,” Page 1, May 13, 2005].

Over the past few weeks, and even years before, many journalists, deejays, and reporters have had their laugh at the group of New Yorkers waiting at the Ziegfeld theater, and it’s understandable. After all, it’s a group of teenagers and adults camping out for a movie.

Sadly, so few of these “professionals” have even bothered to do their research and find out what this lineup is really about. While we love the idea of seeing “Star Wars” on opening night with a crowd of fellow die-hard fans, our primary reason for being there is to raise money for the Starlight Children’s Foundation, which helps children who have been hospitalized. In our first two years on the line, we’ve raised over $33,000 for the charity, and we hope to match that number this year alone.

As for psychological disorders, I, too, ask Ms. Clyne, or even her reputable sources such as Alfredo Nudman, to actually come and visit the line. Come meet the people. Instead of finding a bunch of dorks with “low self-esteem” or personality problems, you’ll meet a dedicated group of friendly, caring, and quite personable people who are out to have a good time. Who knows, you might even enjoy your time there.

DAVID A. EVANS
Manhattan

‘Al-Arian Trial’

In the article written by Josh Gerstein about the Al-Arian case [“Al-Arian Trial Is Set To Open in Tampa Today,” Josh Gerstein, Page 1, May 16, 2005], I was quoted in describing how the St. Petersburg Times had become a virtual public relations arm for Al-Arian in its reporting in previous years.

I neglected to point out that there was one relatively brief period in which the paper’s reporting was turned around. When reporter Mary Jacoby was on staff, the reporting of the St. Petersburg Times on the Al-Arian matter became accurate and honest.

She faced incredible resistance in turning around the reporting, testimony to her integrity and high standards as one of the best reporters in the United States. Unfortunately, the reporting by the St. Petersburg Times reverted to its old standards after her departure.

STEVEN EMERSON
The Investigative Project on Terrorism
Washington, D.C.

Depressed About Mental Health

Re: “S.I. Depressed About Mental Health Facility,” Alicia Colon, New York, May 13, 2005. The irony here is that Staten Island, once the home of the notorious Willowbrook State Hospital (now the College of Staten Island), inspired a revolution in the treatment of people with disabilities, including people labeled “mentally ill.”

Since the 1970s, when the Willowbrook Decree was signed, state policy as helped thousands of people with disabilities move from hospitals, shelters, and squalid hotels into safe, decent, and affordable housing. For people diagnosed with mental illness, city, state, and federal financing has helped create over 25,000 units of housing in New York State, in all types of neighborhoods.

Thousands of additional units are in the pipeline with commitments of future financing secured by elected officials of all political persuasions.

This type of political consensus would not exist if these programs destroyed neighborhoods and endangered small children. In fact, it’s a model that actually works.

STEVE COE
Executive Director, Community Access Inc.
President, New York State Association of Community Living

Reading Alicia Colon’s article, I cannot help but wonder how she would feel if the “wild turkeys” she was talking about were military veterans.

As Staten Island is a very patriotic borough and has a large veteran presence, I am sure that Ms. Colon supports the troops and has a “support our troops” sticker on her car or a band around her arm. However, in reading her article concerning wheelchair users who use city buses and now this article, I guess those vets who come home with a lost limb or post-traumatic stress disorder are out of luck. They go from “support the troops” to “wild turkey.”

JOSEPH BELLO
Flushing, N.Y.

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