Congratulations on having the guts to publish James Renner's bold expose on the so-called religion of Scientology ("The Invasion Begins")

L. Ron Hubbard was quoted as saying that the best way to make a million dollars would be to start your own religion. He told Reader's Digest in May 1980 that "writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion." Tragically, it worked wonderfully for him, at the expense of his many deluded and defensive followers.

Donn R. Nottage
Lakewood

Your article on Scientology was beyond fair and balanced and I loved reading it! I believe it is a cult or at the very least, people who do some sort of generic counseling that offers the same program regardless of your "problem" with the goal of taking as much money as possible and not paying taxes. Also damaging is their advice against medication and psychiatry. I have a sister with bipolar disorder who I know for a fact would not hold down her professional job or relationships without her meds.

Further cementing my claim that it's a "cult," get this: I submitted my response card found in an issue of Dianetics years ago and then ignored their requests for money and more "help" that they decided I desperately needed even though I actually believed I was a pretty well-functioning and happy individual who only read the book out of curiosity and an open mind. Someone in Tampa actually sent me a handwritten card saying something terrible would happen to my family if I did not continue. This is not comparable to any religion I know, and yes, the whole aliens inhabiting the soul stuff (banished Thetans) and Xenu is written in Dianetics. How can they deny that? Seriously funny.

Elaine Turner
Lyndhurst

ALL EARS

I've always enjoyed Erin O'Brien's writing style, with the occasionally unexpected quirky turns of a phrase or word choice, but her column "Corn Chowder to Swear By" (September 5) is truly in a class by itself - exceptional in quality, poetry and creativity. It was a masterpiece of writing. My guess is the writing also was labor intensive, requiring perhaps at least twice as much time as one of her traditional columns, since its structure and wording are uncommon these days. The words "labor of love" come to mind. Very well done, Erin.

Louis H. Pumphrey
Shaker Heights

DOES ANYBODY REALLY KNOW WHAT TIME WARNER IS?

Time Warner is not owned by the city of Akron ("Party On, Don," City Chatter, fifth item, September 12). It remains a private company and its decisions are made internally without influence of the city. The reason I made reference to Bill Jasso at TWC is because the company asked for the fee for programming tapes submitted by the public. More and more programs are coming in, they have explained, and the company is compensating for increased custodial costs because of it.

That makes sense to me. Overall, though, this is its business, not ours. Therefore, the decision belongs to Time Warner Cable and not the city of Akron.

Regarding our use of the government channel, it is rare and infrequent. Maybe once or twice per year to put on community programs such as our 9/11 commemoration ceremonies. That is not a waste of air time, by the way. We also reserve the use of that channel in case of civil emergencies. Also not a waste of time.

Mark A. Williamson
Press Secretary to the Mayor
Akron

JUST ANOTHER QUITTER

I read with interest Six Days at Shaker High (December 6, 2006). In it, a 13-year veteran high school teacher from the West Coast quits just six days into a long-term substitute teaching slot, citing a lack of support from the principal. Before becoming an attorney, I was a sub in the Cleveland school system, taking positions for weeks and months at a time at South, East and Collinwood High, and at Elliott Middle School. Eighteen years before that I did a four-year stint teaching in Harlem. I have seen some things.

This kind of article is pretty common nowadays. Pick up any local paper and somebody's dressing up their reasons for abandoning black schoolchildren. It's highly unlikely that the writer taught for 13 years in the LAUSD without some conflict over administrative policy. It comes with the job. You make your classroom work within the system. It's not impossible. Black students, like all other students, will respect you if you are firm, but fair, if you encourage them to think critically about their culture and choices without getting personal. They yearn for that.

Honestly, his explanation rings hollow. Mr. Danziger just strikes me as a quitter. Those kids see it for what it is, too: Yet another fearful adult who thinks they are unworthy.

Reginald Williams
Cleveland