Everyone's got an opinion on the Reader

14 Games Back

I couldn’t help laughing when I read that FM-94/9 took a ratings hit when they started broadcasting the Padres games this season (Blurt: “Sportscasting Now the ‘Real’ Alternative Radio?”). They are 14 games back, for Christ’s sake! But we love ’em.

• Name withheld
• via voicemail

Rough Sleepers

I’m responding to “A Spiritual Problem” (Letters). The person who wrote that letter is very misinformed about Australia. Australia has a very large homeless problem — commonly referred to as “rough sleepers.” It’s become a real problem out there. So, whoever our psychologist friend is, he’s not living in any of the major metropolitan centers like Melbourne or Sydney, and has no idea what he’s talking about.

There is no forced rehabilitation. There are good social services available to people who seek help. It’s like San Diego out there in major metropolitan areas, where housing has just become unaffordable for people who work for a living.

I just wanted to correct the record because we have a tremendous problem with homelessness in San Diego. I’ve lived here for ten years, raising my family, and it makes me very sad. In fact, I have been homeless myself in 2014 when I broke my leg and ran out of money. It was not a good place to be. Fortunately, I’m back on my feet now.

What this person is putting forward is not the answer to the homeless problem. Every person who’s out there in the street is someone’s mother, father, brother, sister, uncle, cousin.... I don’t like when people talk about things that they have no direct knowledge of, as if it’s a fact.

There is a homeless problem in Australia. People do not get swept up off the streets and forced into any kind of health or rehabilitation facilities. There is a tremendous problem with lack of affordable housing. Yes, drugs are a problem. We have a huge problem with heroin out there. A lot of these young kids are not getting the future that they deserve, and a lot of older people are being forced into untenable situations, much like here.

• Charlie Wells
• via voicemail

The Ins-n-Outs of Going to a Game in TJ

Really enjoyed reading the article on baseball with the Mexican summer league (“Baseball Is Different in Tijuana,” April 6 cover story).

I’m curious how difficult or easy it may be traveling to a game from the California side of the border in Tijuana. With games starting later at night, are there taxis around the ballpark to get back safely? Any information you can assist with, that Mr. O’Connell experienced with his travels, would be greatly appreciated.

• Name withheld
• via email

The Mexican Summer League is a great experience for everyone. Getting to the game is as easy as taking an Uber or taxi to Estadio Gasmart. After the game, you might choose to stay around for the dance party by the entrance or leave immediately after the final out. Either way, there will be taxis to catch outside the stadium and/or you can order an Uber. The drive takes 20-30 minutes (fewer than 10 miles distance), depending on traffic, traveling along Via Rapida (TJ’s north-south highway).

I’d recommend getting familiar with Uber (there is an “Uber English” in Mexico), so you can have both options available and can choose accordingly.

If TJ late-night is something you’d like to avoid, Sunday home games start at 5:05 p.m. — Justin O’Connell

Ask a Dumbass

I’d like to comment on your dumbass Ask a Hipster column. Unfortunately, it’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. You might as well call it Ask a Dumbass because hipsters are some of the dumbest motherf—ers I’ve ever met. At least punk rockers have more to say.

It’d be cool if you took it down because it sucks, and it’s a mockery of real journalism. F—k hipsters.

Your paper’s starting to suck anyway. You guys don’t even really fact check that much. I’ve been seeing how you run your paper for awhile and, as an English major, you’re kind of pathetic to me. Honestly, your publication is about as low as a National Enquirer rag. I’m going to leave you with that.

Ask a Hipster should be taken down for the good of the Reader because it’s dragging your paper down even more.

• Nicky Ballsack
• via voicemail

For Urban Dwellers

I’m a longtime, faithful reader, and there’s one thing I’d like to call out with a special thanks. In your calendar of events there’s a nature section, and every week someone kindly puts just a little bit of nature information for us urban dwellers. It’s very much appreciated. My friends and I, we’re all city people and that’s how we get our knowledge.

I really like everything in the Reader. I’m sorry you get bad letters and bad comments, but thank you very much for your good work and keep it up!

• Name withheld
• via voicemail