Violence happily served

I understand the concern of Joan Mills ("Torture culture only getting worse," Jan. 25) and I agree something should be done.

What some people fail to realize is that the media react the same way as any retail store. It's all about "supply and demand." If something sells, then you give them more of it.

Our teenagers and young adults have made slasher and torture films a hit, and Hollywood is more than willing to oblige. As for Dakota Fanning's movie about child abuse and being raped, a controversial film, whether it's good or bad means money in the producers' pockets.

Years ago when there was a backlash against too much violence on TV for children, Hollywood said, "Fine, send them to us. We'll take care of them." Need I say more?

James Montgomery
Oakland

A loss for young kids

For the past several years, I have enjoyed taking advantage of the "Dominion Days" at Pittsburgh Public Theater.

This program was underwritten by Dominion Peoples gas, and adults and children could see a play for half price. There was also a special before-the-show program (learning about the theater and the show), which was great.

My family and another family have enjoyed seeing several Gilbert and Sullivan shows such as "The Mikado," among others for the past four years. I went into the box office in early November to buy tickets for another show and inquired which show was going to be the Dominion Days show this year. The ticket sellers did not know and kindly gave me the name of the marketing person at PPT.

I communicated with her by e-mail and was very disappointed to be told that the Dominion support "went toward helping us attract a younger audience (mostly high schools)." She also stated in her e-mail that "none of the plays chosen for this year lent themselves to an activity involving small children."

I was very disappointed to learn that this was so. With a limited budget for entertainment and quality theater, many families were enabled to see a great show and to help their children learn to appreciate theater My son was so enthralled by one show that he bought a copy of the play with his own money during intermission! This is a child who generally hoards his money for Game Boy games!

I am saddened that more effort was not made by the PPT to keep this program alive. I realize it has discretion with grants, but I want to make my feelings public. I am very curious to know if other families are as disappointed as mine is.

Martha A. Kreimer
Squirrel Hill

Walking in the wilderness

Frank Sacco ("Can Downtown support more upscale eateries?", Jan. 28) said "They will go to New York City and walk eight blocks to see a show. ... In Pittsburgh, they get upset when they have to walk more than two blocks."

He doesn't consider that when I walk the eight blocks in NYC, I will pass at least two police officers and dozens of pedestrians. In Pittsburgh, walking anywhere beyond the Cultural District is like walking in the wilderness.

Pamela Grabowski
Brookline

Thanks for 'Dirty Jobs'

I am a fan of "Dirty Jobs" and have been communicating with Mike Rowe on the Discovery Channel Web site for a few months. The members of that board find articles from around the country and post them.

I would like to say that the article by Susan Banks is one of the better ones that I've read ("Mike Rowe dishes up Dirty Jobs," Jan. 28). She understands the concept, and she gets the facts correct. You'd be surprised what gets printed nowadays. I just wanted to say how nice it was to read a well-written, factually correct article.

Kathy Zang
Geneva, Ill.