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Last modified: Thursday, November 5, 2009 1:48 AM EST
'Romeo & Juliet' holds message for the ages
I disagree with elements of Susan McDonald's review of the Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre's performance of "Romeo and Juliet" as published Oct. 28. Her comment, reprinted in the article's headline, that it "lacks spark" is bewildering. I found it to be immensely intense and intimate. And all the more so by its concurrent run with "Much Ado About Nothing."
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy. When the play is mentioned we of course think of the love story, and certainly there is comedy in the first act. But it's a tragedy and that is how the Gamm presents it. Despite, even because of, the comedic interludes the audience is anxious and uncomfortable - we know what's coming.
Ms. McDonald comments "the realistic and bloody fight scenes and heightened emotions among the families, particularly Juliet's, put a strain on the entire room." That they do. As I see it, that's the point. That's the tragedy. And it reminds us that bitter bloody out-of-control rivalries, whether between religions, political parties, ethnic groups, countries or persons/groups unable to let go of grudges and negotiate, continue to this day. It's chilling, timely and, as the senseless deaths physically mount on stage, it brings one to tears.
"Romeo and Juliet" runs through Nov. 15. I hope many of your readers will choose to see this production. It's not for the faint of heart. It's riveting. And although I admittedly prefer comedies, I'm glad I was fortunate to see this production.
Karla Bassler, Attleboro
For greener world, eat more greens, skip meat
As awareness on climate change continues to grow, many people are asking what they can do to make a difference on a personal level. One of the largest impacts a person can have is to eat less meat. This was the primary reason why I chose to become a vegetarian over four years ago.
When it comes to meat and the environment, did you know:
* The grain consumed by American livestock could feed 800 million people.
* Nearly half of the water consumed in the US is for animals grown for meat consumption.
* The average amount of water needed for a single hamburger is estimated to be between 400-1,000 gallons.
* Waste from cattle produces nearly 1 billion tons of organic waste each year. Livestock are also responsible for producing more greenhouse gases than all of the cars and trucks on the roads today.
To change your diet doesn't require you to completely become a vegetarian (no meat) or vegan (no animal products). Making a difference can simply mean forgoing meat a few days a week, eat smaller portions of meat, or to even choose your meat carefully, looking for local, organic sources. There are more non-meat options available at the supermarket than at any other time, and many restaurants feature non-meat dishes (i.e. Chinese, Italian, Indian).
Michael Casstevens, Attleboro
Preserve best recycling program Mass. has
Our state Legislature is considering changes to the Bottle Bill, one of the most successful environmental laws this state has ever passed. The Bottle Bill is badly in need of an update, as many of today's popular drinks, such as bottled water, sports drinks, and iced tea, didn't even exist when the bill was written and therefore do not require a deposit.
The pending bill would apply a 5-cent deposit to these containers, which would have a huge impact on our environment. While more than 80 percent of deposit containers are redeemed and recycled, only 24 percent of non-covered containers are recycled. The rest are filling our garbage cans, littering our highways, and polluting our environment for generations to come.
The bottling industry has incorrectly claimed that deposits are a "tax" placed on consumers. They fail to recognize that bottle deposits are 100 percent refundable and provide an incentive for all of us to recycle. Simply returning the container to where you bought it, or putting it in a recycling bin, will help keep our neighborhoods litter-free and keep harmful plastics out of landfills. Rather than try to make a good program better, the bottlers are trying to destroy the best recycling program we have.
The updated Bottle Bill would vastly reduce litter and add up to $20 million to state revenues through projected unclaimed deposits. Moreover, because PET plastic bottles are made of 99 percent petroleum, it will help decrease our consumption of oil.
I urge readers to let your legislators know that you support the updated Bottle Bill, which is known as H3515. You can learn more and download letters to mail to your state legislators at www.massbottlebill.org.
Massachusetts legislators should stand up against the bottlers and work to keep our communities clean. The Bottle Bill has been a tremendous success and the proposed changes will make it even more successful.
Neil Rhein, Mansfield
THIS WRITER is chairman of Keep Mansfield Beautiful.
Keep the 'change'; I'll take freedom
So, you think that government intervention into health care is a good idea? How about the knee-jerk reaction to the gross mismanagement of swine flu vaccine availability? The declaration of a state of emergency is simply another administration smoke-and-mirror ploy to influence the unknowing, uninformed, unthinking, disenfranchised, marginalized members of society to believe the government is acting in their best interests. Continuing loss of support by the silent majority is forcing the Obama administration to try to sign up the members of our society that believe they don't have a say in the government. And since many are not here legally, they should not.
The focus should have started a couple of months ago on the vaccine suppliers who apparently misled the government to believe there would be sufficient doses available in a timely manner to prevent widespread, deleterious effects of the swine flu. I wonder how many vaccine doses have been shipped overseas? Maybe the members of the Nobel prize committee got theirs?
Where was the checking into the claim for tens of millions of doses (of vaccine) being available? No for-profit organization would be able to get away with such unsubstantiated claims by its customers. Only the oh-so-righteous bleeding heart liberals can get away with such gross mismanagement of a potential national health care disaster.
As a nation, we really do need to wake up. Each and every politician at every level of government has to be voted out. Replacements must be independent, libertarian- thinking individuals who recognize America needs to return to what the framers of the Constitution intended: A land of freedom, trust, sacrifice and opportunity. Not a country of liars, whiners, handouts and freeloaders.
As for me, I'll keep my money, my guns, my freedom. You can keep "The Change" we don't need.
Bob Foley, Mansfield
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