Letters

The Monitor's new look, and many reactions

I am a freshman at Haverford College, and my grandmother got me a subscription to the Monitor so I could keep current. I love the paper, and I really like the new design! It is now much easier to see the "News In Brief" on the back page of the paper. I could more quickly see what is in the paper with "In Today's Monitor" right on the front page. Keep up the excellent writing and sleek look.

M. Scott Burau

Haverford, Pa.

I just finished reading today's issue of the Monitor, and I like the new format and find it to be very reader friendly. Thanks. I especially like the new "flag." The previous one sort of blended in with the background. The current flag attracts attention to the good name of this great paper.

Gennette Tracy

Oconomowoc, Wis.

As a new subscriber to the Monitor, I was very interested to see the paper's new format. I feel that the changes represent a significant improvement over the paper's former look, with one exception: the new flag on page 1.

The new flag actually compresses and obscures the paper's name, and further makes it look like a small version of USA Today. A return to the Monitor's classic flag of the '40s and '50s would actually have been more effective, and would have placed it in the same company as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, where it belongs.

James K. Webster

Via e-mail

The new look of the Monitor is very appealing. Actually, I've felt this way about all the ways the Monitor has looked over the 30 years I've been reading the paper. For me, the content is the appeal, although I understand the need to keep up with the way design of print media has changed.

One change, though, I was looking forward to, didn't appear. You referred to Robert Marquand as a staff correspondent. I thought the Monitor might be returning to distinguishing between correspondents and staff writers.

I'm also glad the Monitor will continue its special sections.

Richard Jones

Riverside, Calif.

I couldn't see how the Monitor could have been improved, and I felt apprehensive about what was happening. But you have improved it wonderfully. It is convenient to use, interesting in appearance, and items are well organized and presented, as promised. Congratulations to your whole editorial team.

Eleanor Ratledge

Townsend, Del.

Thank you for the vision and creativity expressed in the new format. It seems to have increased clarity and depth in the articles.

It's good to have the religious article back in a position that concludes daily topics with a spiritual, healing tone.

Lynne H. Buckley-Quirk

St. Louis

And also the new electronic Monitor

I wish all electronic publications would follow your example of crisp organization, readable type styles, and fast-loading design. Keep up the good work.

John Lucas

Via e-mail

Taxing tobacco

I read your editorial on the tobacco settlement "Tobacco Deal - a Start" (Nov. 19). For the most part I agree with you. I totally disagree with the notion that price increases of addictive substances will stop their use. The high price of heroin and cocaine hasn't contributed to the lessening of consumption of these pernicious substances. The same might be said for alcohol.

An increased tax on legal addictive substances is merely a ploy for any government which imposes such a tax to enrich itself at the expense of its weakest citizens: those who are addicted.

Richard F. Sheehan

Wellfleet, Mass.

The Monitor welcomes your letters and opinion articles. Because of the volume of submissions, only a selection can be published, and we can neither acknowledge nor return unpublished submissions. Mail letters to 'Readers Write,' and opinion articles to Opinion Page, One Norway St., Boston, MA 02115, or fax to 617-450-2317, or e-mail to oped@csps.com