The Joys of Midtown
Thanks for John Branston’s excellent article about the joys of Midtown (“Midtown’s Next Big Thing,” December 18th issue). Here are a few others I would add to his list of successes: Fino’s on Madison, which serves delicious sandwiches with a smile; Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and school, which saves souls and provides a strong educational anchor for our youth; and, last but not least, the Wiffle Ball league in the parking lot behind Zinnie’s East on Madison, which offers recreational therapy for big-league wannabees and aging hippies every Sunday.
Rob Clark
Memphis
No Shoes, Please
There are a lot of things that I don’t like about President George Bush’s activities and persona, but throwing shoes at him shows a lack of respect for the office of president (“If the Shoe Fits, Throw It,” December 18th issue).
If we allow objects to be thrown at political figures, we might as well live in a nation of total anarchy. Anarchy will then lead to tyranny, since eventually, a small elite group will form to protect themselves and overthrow the masses. A vicious cycle, indeed. Without respect for public offices and checks and balances, we will end up like the Middle-Eastern nations.
Charles Gillihan
Bartlett
A Conservative Speaks
I am a conservative Republican and would normally espouse a free-enterprise approach to large corporations and business in general. Hence,
I would not normally agree with too much that usually appears in the Flyer.
However, I must admit that the disjointed, unmonitored free rein of this approach has surely contributed to the thorough financial mess in this country. Further, I must sincerely compliment Bruce VanWyngarden on his last two columns (December 11th and 18th issues). His summary of this mess and, at least, a philosophical way out of it is the most honest and accurate analysis I have read. I wanted to stand up and scream to the country, “He’s right! Listen to him!” Congratulations on two fine, well-balanced columns.
Don Rhoads
Germantown
A Green Christmas
Bianca Phillips’ article on converting to LED lights for Christmas decorations was timely and right on target (“A Green Christmas,” December 18th issue). Pointing out the simple ways we can cut our carbon footprint (and save money!) is service journalism at its finest. Good job, Flyer!
Ben Hall
Memphis
Snow Equals Change?
Some cultures believe that snow is a sign of coming prosperity and a fresh start. When it snowed early this year in Baghdad, some speculated that it was a sign of peace. After years of the climate growing warmer, record natural disasters, wars, terrorism, and bad economic times, we are all ready for a change for the better.
To the far left-leaning Democrats who are upset with President-elect Barack Obama for inviting the Rev. Rick Warren to say a prayer at his inauguration: Learn to forgive, guys. Obama has given people who said bad things about him, who didn’t endorse him, who didn’t vote for him, and who said he was not ready to be president a place beside him in his cabinet.
If Obama is willing to appoint people to his administration whom he has not always agreed with, why can’t you all just let Pastor Warren say a prayer even though you don’t agree with him on some issues?
Obama won red states that no Democrat has won in 40 or 50 years, because he reached out to those who don’t always agree with him. That is something that the far left and the far right need to adopt as one of their ways of handling the business of government. Lincoln came under fire for trying to unite the North and the South. Obama is coming under fire for trying to unite Democrats and Republicans. A strong America must be a united America. A house divided cannot stand!
We shouldn’t let things we disagree about cause us to overlook the fact that we are all Americans, we are all God’s creation, and we all must learn to work together. Let it snow, let it snow!
J. Shaw
Memphis
