The Secret is Rowers
I finally know why the Gentle Giant crew that moved me from South Boston (five floors of furniture) to Squantum made the job look easy ("Born to Move," June 8). Not only did they effortlessly go up and down all those stairs, they also never broke a sweat. Oh, and the crew was gorgeous to a one - tall and in fabulous condition. My friend and I just enjoyed the view along with their complete professionalism.
D. SINDEL
Quincy
TECH TEENS
It's true that parents being in touch with kids via cellphones probably makes them safer, and it's also true that at times it is better for them to face their own challenges - without the ever-present mom or dad to bail them out ("Spying on the Text Generation," June 8). Unfortunately, there are two important points that you missed. First, the major danger from texting is not from adult predators but from other children who misuse texting. Kids text cruel messages to a victim or cruel messages about a victim to other kids. Don't underestimate how devastating it can be to be cyberbullied. Second, it's mom and dad who pay for texting - and who can eliminate it. You can call your cellphone service provider and ask them to make a phone unable to text. I recommend that children under 15 not be allowed to message at all (either on a computer or a phone). This recommendation is based on our research, which found that 38 percent of college freshman were cyberbullied via IM during high school.
ELIZABETH K. ENGLANDER
Director, Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center Bridgewater State College Bridgewater
SEEN ON THE WEB
What a few parents don't seem to have is simple trust in their own children. Kids are smarter than we give them credit for most of the time, especially when it comes to making new online "friends." People know a creep when they meet one, even online. . . . Just like we can't pick our children's friends, we also can't micromanage their online and technology experiences (nor should we try).
RIGHT FOR THE JOB?
Regarding political blogger Luke Vargas ("First Person," June 8): dad's car, dad's gas, forged credentials, and no concern with the substance of a politician's speech. The perfect role model.
PERRY GLASSER
Haverhill
THE COLLEGE TRY
Boston University, Boston College, Northeastern, Harvard, and other colleges have expanded extensively in the last 30 years and have shifted the city tax burden to private homes and commercial businesses by turning taxed property into untaxed property. University hierarchies pay themselves huge sums and then pretend they face hardships like those described in Tom Keane's essay ("Perspective," June 8). Universities in Boston will trend downward not because the city does not help them enough, but because they have overbuilt their physical plant, have paid faculty and staff more than the education they provide is worth, and have failed to make full use of the Internet to perform education.
FRANCIS X. STONE
Boston
A PROMISING START
I enjoyed the well-written article "Basic Instincts" ("Designing," June 8). I was floored when I saw that the author is a sophomore in high school. Congratulations to Charlotte Roth. I will write that name down, as I expect someone so talented will have great success.
KERRY BURKE
Canton
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