Unprepared For War?
To the Editor:
If the number of people killed at the World Trade Center horrifies the
American people, they will be astonished at the number killed if we go to war
against Middle Eastern countries and groups that have the capability for
biological and chemical warfare with no regard for human life. It will be
warfare that our military personnel are woefully unprepared for. The number of
casualties of American personnel will be enormous and ground troops will have
to be used to carry out this mission. This will be nothing like our people
have seen since Vietnam. It will be a conflict that could wipe out the
majority of our military — our brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters.
I understand the need for the call to war but I hope the American people
realize the cost to each one of us and comprehend the huge price that will be
paid. I pray I am wrong but I am afraid I am not. I hope those yet to come
will look upon us as a nation with courageous resolve that did the right
thing, in the right way, at the right time.
Mary E. Davis, Memphis
To the Editor:
I have witnessed two reactions to the tragedies in New York and
Washington. First, there was President Bush’s faux Clint Eastwood assurance
that the perpetrators will be “hunted down,” followed by Norman
Schwarzkopf’s banner-waving explanation of “the difference between us and
them” — meaning that when the U.S. makes an attack, we do not target
innocent civilians. (Vietnam?) Second, I have seen sidewalks full of people
waiting to donate blood, women handing out sandwiches in airport terminals,
prayer services being organized within minutes of the first plane crash, and
countless other acts of human kindness between total strangers.
While I want very much to see those responsible for terrorism brought to
justice, my hope is that rifts of fear and anger will not be spawned by
efforts of our leaders to look tough when facing the world. The end result
will only be continued violence and unrest and the terrorists will have
achieved their goal. But perhaps if we can continue to focus on the outpouring
of goodness toward those in need, the opportunity may be created for healing
to begin. Terrorism is ineffective against a society whose strength is founded
in hope.
Jon Devin, Memphis
Shadden Light On the Subject
To the Editor:
I want to thank you for Tom Graves’ article on garage bands, “Out Of
the Garage” (September 6th issue). I feared those unique and wonderful
Memphis icons were all but forgotten. What a joy to know that their memories
still live on. I must say, however, that I was very disappointed in one
particular section of the story.
My father is Shad Williams, who was the lead singer of Shadden and the
King Lears. I appreciate author Ron Hall’s dedication and hard work, however,
it bothers me that inappropriate information about the best father ever has
been printed when the truth is right here in Memphis. I have lived here my
whole life, as have my parents, Shad and Sheila Williams. They have recently
relocated to another town in Tennessee, not Arkansas — as was claimed
by Hall — and are very happy.
My dad remembers fondly his days as a youth playing around Memphis. I
grew up listening to those old 45s and they have become some of my most valued
possessions. My father, however, was not “struck” by God, nor did he
leave in the middle of a set. My dad was “born again” while in the
band and after that profound event he spent several months trying to figure
out what to do. He loves his brother, Bubba, very much and loved the guys in
the band. He didn’t want to disappoint them and their dreams, but he also felt
a calling to go into the ministry full-time. The pull on his heart by God won
out. He eventually told the band that he was leaving and following God’s call
on his life. That is the actual story, not the humorous one told by Hall that
made my dad’s call to the ministry sound trite.
Again, I deeply appreciate Hall’s work, along with Graves’ in writing the
article. I just ask that you help me in honoring the amazing life my father
has set forth as an example to me, my sister Rachel, our spouses, and his six
grandchildren. Shad Williams once was a man of rock-and-roll, but for 34 years
now he has been a man of the Rock. I am the proudest son you can imagine.
Michael S. Williams, Memphis
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