The "Perspective" essay celebrating "the beauty of the rude, obnoxious, impatient Boston driver" in the December 9 issue got readers honking mad. Here are those letters fit to print in a family newspaper. We also heard views on a beloved hockey trailblazer, an admired boat captain, separate worlds, and rings that find other fingers.
Driving Them Mad
I can't say I agree with Katherine Ozment's affection for the style of the Massachusetts driver ("Perspective," December 9). On the contrary, I find the hostility and aggression displayed most everywhere on our roads disheartening, as it reflects the manner in which we treat one another when we think our anonymity protects us from consequence. Really - tailgating because the driver in front is doing the speed limit, passing when one shouldn't, or driving in the breakdown lane are more than rude and border on the dangerous. Pretend it's your mother driving the car in front of you with your kid as a passenger in the back seat.
Flavia Migliaccio
Rockport
Ozment's defense of rude, impatient, dangerous driving was a joke, I hope. Driving in Boston or anywhere in Massachusetts is not a pleasant experience. We have the worst drivers in the country. Just ask any insurance agent. When I was a young man, I made an illegal U-turn while driving in Florida. After the cop saw my Massachusetts license, he said, "You are not in Massachusetts. Down here we know how to drive."
John W. Marshall
Essex
My experience on returning to Boston after an academic year in San Diego was quite different from Ozment's: I discovered that I could continue with my newfound habit of being kind to other drivers. Yielding to someone trying to merge or enter from a side street actually costs me only seconds and (not to sound preachy) feels good. Even more surprisingly, most drivers here are quite happy to yield if asked. Nor is this limited to my leafy suburban community, but extends equally to daily commuting into Harvard Square. Best of all, these exchanges often end in a friendly hand gesture involving all five fingers.
Daniel Weinreich
Westwood
A Hard Haul
Wow. I was glued to my computer, reading about the female captain and the scallop industry ("A Captain's Calling," December 9). I grew up in the little town of Warren, Rhode Island, and a few of my friends' dads were professional fishermen. I have always loved the ocean and feel most at home there. This story held my attention so much that when I was done reading it, I was disappointed there wasn't more.
Jeanne M. Engels
Lowell
Black-and-White Views
TV host Kim McLarin finds herself astonished that she moves between black and white worlds but that the worlds don't interact ("First Person," December 2). I feel that this is not a product of skin color; it is a product of living an active, eclectic life. I find myself involved in varied worlds, from practicing martial arts to antiquing for early American pottery, to the worlds of work, "his" family, "my" family, and an abundance of friends collected over the decades. My worlds never collide. I am invigorated and have experienced immense personal growth moving between these worlds. Lots of people just can't or won't widen their circles or move between worlds. I think McLarin is experiencing something that is common to active, interesting people of all colors.
Cindy Carrigan
Winthrop
Champion on Ice
I enjoyed your article on Willie O'Ree ("Lofty Goal," December 9), the first black person to play in the National Hockey League, a feat accomplished 50 years ago next month. The City of Fredericton, capital of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, will be naming its new $16 million sports and leisure complex Willie O'Ree Place in his honor during a gala ceremony on January 16, 2008. The complex features two NHL-sized ice surfaces, 16 large dressing rooms, offices for officials and event organizers, a walking track, a Celebration of Sport exhibit area, a community room, a YMCA wellness center, and canteens. Mr. O'Ree was born and raised here in Fredericton and has many friends and family here. Both the National Hockey League and Boston Bruins will send dignitaries to pay tribute to Mr. O'Ree in his hometown, and a delegation from our city will be attending the Bruins game against the Rangers January 19, when Mr. O'Ree is being honored by the Bruins. We are all very proud of Willie O'Ree.
Mayor Brad Woodside
City of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
The Ring Thing
I enjoyed Marianne Jacobbi's piece on reusing wedding and engagement rings and keeping them in the family ("Coupling," December 2). This is important when there is, as in the author's case, a child born to a marriage that was once happy and later dissolved. Jacobbi's ring was a token of love, good thoughts, and good things for years. Her daughter was born during those years, so naturally she has positive thoughts associated with the ring, and it's great that she enjoys having it.
After my divorce, my ex discarded anything having to do with me. I chose to keep almost all family mementos simply because they are family history and great-grandchildren may wish to have them some day. While my ex and I have a very bitter relationship today, I cherish the good years and am thankful for a union that produced two wonderful children. My wedding ring is put away in a dark corner, but I am glad it is not melted down.
Henry Taves
Harrisville, New Hampshire
