‘For What the Thanks’

Kudos to Mark Steyn for Monday’s magnificent essay, “For What the Thanks” [Oped, November 19, 2007]. I am going to make copies and keep them handy in order to be able to distribute them to fellow Americans to relish or for edification if the need arises.

It should be mandatory reading in all American High Schools.

MONA BRAFMAN
Far Rockaway, N.Y.

‘City Museums Stand to Gain Earmark Cash’

Instead of placing earmarks in Federal appropriations legislation [Front Page, “City Museums Stand To Gain Earmark Cash” November 19, 2007], I recommend that our legislators spend time reading the available grants section of the bi-weekly Chronicle of Philanthropy.

The November 15, 2007 issue of the Chronicle of Philanthropy stated that $407,061,740 worth of grants had been awarded in the previous two weeks.

Following are a sampling of the grants that the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and the Louis Armstrong House Museum could have applied for: The Lilly Endowment awarded $500,000 to the Indianapolis Museum of Art for general operating support.

The Heinz Endowments awarded $400,000 to the Gateway to the Arts in Pittsburgh for general operating support and $100,000 to the Andrew Carnegie Free Library in Carnegie, Pennsylvania to support the Library and Music Hall’s capital campaign.

Unfortunately, these grants are subject to debate and competitive bidding, and do not generate campaign contributions. Imagine a politician saving voters money.

ALEXANDER SCHLOSS
Bronx, N.Y.

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