In response to “Complain the right way,” Dec. 13 column by Kyra Kyles:
For the most part, the CTA Green Line is pretty good. My problem is the No. 72 North Avenue bus, specifically going east. I generally take it in the evening anywhere from 4:30 to 5 p.m. The problem is the turnaround … as there are usually one or two buses there. Now, neither of those will come out until another one is headed east so they won’t have to pick up the bulk of the passengers. However, if you wait for the less crowded one you’ll be left holding your transfer because the bus out of the turnaround keeps going.
To make matters worse, there are anywhere from three to five buses going west. This happens at least two to three days per week. A perfect example was last Thursday when it snowed (I called it in) and the rude driver was rushing people screaming “step up, step up.”
–Johnnie Baker, 37, Austin
Too much tipping
The article on “What to tip for the holidays” (Dec. 9) was ridiculous! Who has that kind of cash? Keep it real, folks.
–Ken Mathieson, 33, Lakeview
Y-power
In response to “Age of Y,” Dec. 7:
Generation Y wins!
–Amy Lulich, 22, South Suburbs
Cold war
In response to “Don’t get caught in the cold,” Dec. 6 column by Kyra Kyles:
I keep warm on the Red and Purple Lines by enjoying a nice warm hot chocolate or coffee from Starbucks. … Just about every morning I walk in and they know what to get me before I can even say a word. It keeps me warm all the way. I don’t know what I would do without Starbucks today. They are the only reason that I am warm and toasty in the mornings.
–Alexander Mott, 17, South Loop
Holiday hoopla
I had the misfortune of stumbling across the “White House Christmas 2005” special on HGTV … and was immediately sick to my stomach. I don’t consider myself a bleeding-heart liberal by any stretch of the imagination. However, come on, Laura [Bush], you’re taking your job too seriously.
I do get that decorating the White House is a tradition. Blah, blah, blah.
My beef is this: I don’t have a lot to give this Christmas, but I am going to give what I can to those who don’t have a lot this holiday. How sad is it that the White House is spending (just a guess) $3 million or so on decorating for one month? Give me a break. With all of the starving kids, hurricane victims, homeless and just down-on-their-luck in this country, they should be ashamed.
–Jonathan Jochimsen, 27, Lakeview
Picking on smokers
In response to “Half-ash ban?” Dec. 8: With all the scandals in the Daley administration, is this the best our aldermen can come up with to debate? If people want to smoke, let them! They are the ones who are being asked to pay for all the state and city budget shortfalls! [Smokers] are hit every year to help pay for all the mismanagement of our tax money by our so-called elected leaders.
–Frank Coconate, 47, Chicago
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