Author: Flyer Readers

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Letters To The Editor Opinion

What They Said

CREDIT: Greg Cravens

About Chris Davis’ cover story, “Symphony Sunset” …

It would be helpful if the MSO were to look inward — to the Memphis region — to bring in extraordinary talent instead of always feeling that pulling in players from elsewhere — at higher cost, from ads to auditions to hire — will magically return fivefold in dollars. That just doesn’t happen these days. There are individuals in the symphony who bear grudges, and word gets around that there is a poisoned atmosphere. Why should a local musician who isn’t well-connected even bother with them?

Stauffer

About Kevin Lipe’s column, “Griz at the Break” …

Looking at the three teams ahead of the Griz; the Mavs have the best player and best coach; the Warriors have the most talent and the easiest remaining schedule; and the Suns have what? Dragic? There’s no excuse at this point for the Griz not to pass the Suns in the standings. The Griz are only a half-game behind them. They are healthier than the Suns. Their schedule is about the same in terms of home/road and +500 teams. They have already won the season series. The Griz have more talent top-to-bottom than the Suns. More salary. And both teams are coached by rookie coaches.

Iggy

Greg Cravens

About Jackson Baker’s Politics column detailing Steve Mulroy’s apprehension of a thief …

Is chasing a thief across downtown for $20 indicative of something mayoral that should elicit my vote? If so, I need it spelled out.

Brunetto Latini

About an act of kindness …

Yesterday, during lunch hour, I was driving west on Park Avenue, stopping several yards from the stoplight at Park and Colonial Drive. I witnessed an older, blind African-American gentleman gently escorted across the street by a younger Caucasian gentleman. As soon as he ensured that the older man was safely across Park, the younger man sprinted back to his car that he’d abruptly parked to the side on Colonial.

This was one of those singular moments in life that — albeit far and few between — restores faith in humanity. Race shouldn’t be significant to reference, but it is important only to convey that at that moment, race was entirely insignificant. All that mattered was a man’s safety across that busy street during lunch hour.

We should all adopt that generosity of spirit.

G. Delise Walker

About the announcement of the Beale Street Music Fest’s lineup …

Someone at MIM should be fired for this B.LLSH.T! Who is going to come from out of town to book a hotel room for this crap? What a set-back from the last few years. Kid Rock does state fairs and NASCAR events these days.

Snoop Dog didn’t headline the last time he was here, so why would he in 2014? Foster The People? One hit wonder.

Highpoint_T

Absolutely no comparison to Jazz Fest’s stellar lineup playing simultaneously or Shaky Knees Festival in Atlanta playing the next week. A HUGE step back after a few very good years.

Garianna

The “no comparison to Jazz Fest” comments are always so annoying. Of course it’s no comparison to Jazz Fest. It’s a smaller-scale festival for a smaller city at a smaller ticket price.

Nobody

About the state of Mississippi …

As a voluntary resident of the state of Mississippi, it sickens and saddens me that while this state ranks dead last in median income and life expectancy but first in poverty, obesity, and heart disease, our esteemed legislative body found it necessary and vital to our future well-being to address the glaring lack of the words “In God We Trust” in the state motto.

What they should have added is, “In God We Trust, but His Hippie Son Can Stick It Where the Sun Don’t Shine.”

Look away, Dixieland. Turn your head in shame.

Jeff Crook

Categories
Letters To The Editor Opinion

What They Said

CREDIT: Greg Cravens

About “Action,” Greg Akers’ cover story on independent local filmmakers …

In the film industry, being able to get funding is pretty much the measure of all things. People either get themselves into debt, or talk someone into funding their movie. When writing a book, all you need is a good idea, about a dollars worth of paper, and a pen. You can leverage commitment and time, and end up with a fantastic result that rivals any other book.

In contrast to that, a good film requires money. Lots of money. It is the unavoidable nature of the medium. To base an entire article on the opposite of that truth is silly, and presents to the rest of the world that the Memphis film community is not serious or just doesn’t get it.

bill.automata

Bill, I suppose if it was renamed “Pro Bono” instead of “Free” then it’d sound more admirable, because lawyers and doctors do that often for causes they believe in, to keep their name out there, and to keep their skills sharp. You can read it as “exploit some hobbyists for free labor,” or you can read it as “people passionate in a creative art who strive to be in it as much as possible.” We know which is the accurate one.

Valibus

Greg Cravens

About Bruce VanWyngarden’s Letter from the Editor …

I’m outraged, stunned, appalled, aghast, and furious about our state legislature enacting a new law taking away the rights of cities and counties regarding guns in parks and playgrounds. The NRA lobby is so powerful they’re able to run our state and nation’s legislatures. Why would any adult with a gun permit go to a park with a gun?

The NRA’s statement that if the “good guys” have guns they can stop the “bad guys” with guns is one of the stupidest remarks ever made. When everyone is shooting at each other, how do you know who is who? Our legislature, with all its pro-gun and anti-homosexual laws is rapidly becoming perceived as the most backward state in the country.

Carol Williams

I agree with a lot of what Bruce VanWyngarden had to say in his editorial in the February 20th issue. Education is the foundation of our problem. Better educated people could make better educated choices. Certainly the state of Tennessee is controlled by the Republicans, and they wield a heavy hand when it comes to local city and county issues. But can you really blame them? Look at the Memphis/Shelby County municipal school system mess, the renaming of local parks, etc. Some of the people who serve in these local positions make the Republicans at the state level look rather intelligent.  

If you take the proposition that the state Republicans are running roughshod over the city and county, then you should be willing to admit that we have virtually the same problem in reverse at the national level, where the Democrats control the administrative and legislative (at least the Senate) and a majority of the Judicial branches of our government. Obviously, it is not all Obama’s fault, but he is and has been the commander-in-chief for about six years now. At some point you have to accept ownership for what is going on around you.  

Woody Savage

About Les Smith’s column, “The Line is Busy” …

I would like to propose a bill that if a bill that is passed by a legislature and signed into law by a governor is later found to be unconstitutional by a judge, even after appeals, then all those who voted for it and signed it get one “strike” against them. If they get three strikes, then they are automatically disqualified from holding public office again. If the third strike comes while they are still in office, then they are automatically removed from office that day.

If you can’t make laws that are constitutional, then you obviously have no idea what you are doing.

Charlie Eppes

Categories
Letters To The Editor Opinion

What They Said

CREDIT: Greg Cravens

About “The Right’s Last Rites” Viewpoint by Jonathan Cole …

The world is a changing place. Tennessee and the other states attempting to segregate, punish, and exclude same-sex couples from their basic rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, should learn to live and let live, to follow the basic principles this great country was founded upon — and God’s basic commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you.”

My husband and I live in one of those states that does not (yet) recognize same sex marriage, but fortunately all the benefits we receive are federal.

Bob Robida

When I picked up my national newspaper today, I was amazed to find about half of three sections crammed with news about the first openly gay NFL candidate. This is 2014. Why aren’t we beyond such silliness? To me that is about like seeing a glaring headline proclaiming: “NFL signs first blue-eyed recruit.” Making so much fuss about something that is an inherited trait and no one’s business is such a waste of ink. I’m embarrassed to live where such silly and unimportant matters are deemed so newsworthy. My friends in more enlightened countries will no doubt give me a lot of grief over yet another display of our backwardness.

Jim Brasfield

Greg Cravens

About Chris McCoy’s review of the RoboCop remake …

You know, Paul Verhoeven made some absolutely abysmal movies, too. You’d think a Hollywood devoid of original ideas would at least think to make a new and improved version of Showgirls, instead of trying to remake his certified classics.

Fancy Cwabs

About Tim Sampson’s “Rant” on the Winter Olympics …

I have two comments on this. First, I use my DVR to skip over all the social commentary and human interest stories. I go straight to the competitions, where all that is right with the world is on display. The sportsmanship, camaraderie, and thrill of athletic endeavors is inspirational.

Second, I find it ludicrous that the United States is representing the higher moral ground when it comes to civil and gay rights. We have a not-so-stellar history of our own in these areas and still have a long way to go, so it’s a bit hypocritical to hold Russia under the microscope.

In general, if we take politics out of the equation, the world is a pretty cool place and the average Joes are all pretty similar in their day-to-day existence. Government is a necessary evil, but I question the need for the talking heads on television who create division and anxiety.

Steve Hiss

About “In the Weeds,” Alexandra Pusateri’s February 6th cover story on medical marijuana …

There is no way in hell that these stuffy, tight ass republicans you people vote for are going to pass anything to do with marijuana! (If you want to argue that, you better stop and think who sponsored it in the first place!) Tennessee has no referendum vote, so we are screwed! We will be the last state to do anything, because we have to rely on our politicians to vote for us. I might as well keep the old dealer close by and keep giving my money to the cartels.

Madman1

Our current Marijuana Policy is “arrest and ruin.” We have to turn the page. Let us bring freedom-loving Tennessee Republicans by the thousands into loud Marijuana Majority.

CR Liberty

About Kevin Lipe’s column, “Griz at the Break … “

For the last 30 games of playoff hunt, I expect the Griz to regain health and showcase the elite execution on both ends of the floor we enjoyed in January’s run. With a healthy core and consistent strong play, we can be looking at a six seed, and that’s totally within reach at this point.

Jill Kong

Categories
Letters To The Editor Opinion

What They Said

CREDIT: Greg Cravens

About “In the Weeds,” Alexandra Pusateri’s February 6th cover story on medical marijuana …

I’ve been getting phone requests for political donations. This is what I tell them: “From now on, I will only be donating to individual candidates who stand up for what’s right. Both parties ignore the wishes of 80 percent of the American people on the issue of medical marijuana, which demonstrates a total disregard for the needs of cancer patients, war veterans, and sick children suffering from brain-damaging seizures. When your organization makes a public statement in support of medical marijuana, you have my permission to call me back.”

When you get these calls, please don’t hang up. Tell them how you feel!

Brenda Sizemore

The ongoing negative stigma with marijuana is due to politicians receiving their funding from pharmaceutical companies and the federal and local authorities receiving funding for their “war on drugs.” Pharmaceutical companies have not found a way to make a profit on the free plant God has given to us for medicinal uses. When they work out a way to reach a good profit margin, it will become a good medicine with medical uses. When the government authorities lose their cash cow, the war on pot, their funding will be reduced and they will actually have to use their resources to fight the real war on drugs: heroin, crack, meth, and pharmaceuticals.

I think of the politicians sipping their bourbon and drinking their wine, pointing their fingers down on the folks who are suffering and enduring pain … begging for them to look at the research that has already been done.

Autoimmune disease sufferer

About Lee Harris and Steve Mulroy’s support of Kellogg’s workers on strike …

This does make me proud — candidates for county mayor and state senate thumbing their noses at Senator Brian Kelsey’s proposed anti-picketing legislation! The Humphreys School of Law at the U of M is cranking out the leaders of a new generation.

Scott Banbury

Greg Cravens

About Bruce VanWyngarden’s February 6th Letter From the Editor …

Maybe before VanWyngarden wrote “Neil Young has basically been stoned on pot for almost 50 years,” he should’ve finished reading the book and found out that Neil quit smoking pot in 2011 on the advice of his doctor and quit drinking at the same time because he was inspired by his daughter making the same decision. Also, if we don’t want to let “the sensationalism surrounding [Philip Seymour Hoffman’s] heroin death impact another drug-related decision” (i.e. the medical marijuana bill going through the Nashville legislature), maybe he should not talk about both in the same confusing article.

Gerald Stephens

About Senator Brian Kelsey’s “Don’t Serve Gay Couples” bill …

Since we don’t have civil unions, domestic partnerships, or same-sex marriages in Tennessee (from a legal standpoint anyway), how exactly can someone request goods or services in support of one?

Jeremy Dykes

Greg Cravens

One of the most pandering politicians I have ever seen. Not as smart as Stephen Fincher.

Jim Haire

Christians are doing whatever they can to make Christianity repugnant to gay people. It took me nine years after leaving the evangelical church to reach that conclusion and to walk away from Christianity altogether. I have no problem with Jesus and still believe some of what I’ve always believed. But that’s irrelevant now. If I ever do get married to my partner, I can assure Mr. Kelsey that it won’t be in a Christian church nor by a Christian minister of any denomination.

Brunetto Latini

If 36-year-old Brian Kelsey chooses a lifestyle without marriage, should he insist the rest of us follow suit?

Mia S. Kite

Categories
Letters To The Editor Opinion

Letters To The Editor

20<30

What a delight it was to read the stories and see the pictures of all those bright, motivated, energetic young people in your “20<30” cover story (January 23rd issue). This story makes me happy every year, when I realize again how many young movers and shakers there are out there, dedicated to making a positive change for the ol’ Bluff City. They give me yet more reasons to be hopeful about the future of Memphis. A nice balance to all the mindless hatin’.

Gloria Barnes


Memphis

The DA

Thanks for publishing Toby Sells’ story on District Attorney Amy Weirich’s response to her assistant Thomas Henderson’s censure, guilty plea, and fine by the [Tennessee] Supreme Court’s Office of Professional Responsibility (“The Defense Rests,” January 30th issue).

If you or I or anyone else violated the rules and honor code of our profession and were reprimanded by the independent body charged with maintaining its ethical standards, I suspect our bosses would have more to say than, “He’s a fine public servant.” Weirich’s “stand-by-your-man” response made a clear statement about the ethical standards she will accept in her department, and it wasn’t a good one.

Wallace Ford

Memphis

Rock On

Les Smith’s interesting column, “Be a Simple Man” (At Large, January 23rd issue) about the universal truth and inspirational message found in the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic, “Simple Man,” got me thinking about the entire classic rock canon, and how that music continues to enthrall and inspire each succeeding generation since the music was first created.

My definition of classic rock is music that speaks to the human condition with lyrics that people easily relate to, accompanied by music (played by passionate, creative musicians, not machines) that still sounds great after all these years.

Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin stated that even if the world’s musicians stopped recording music today, people would have enough recorded music to entertain and inspire generations to come. In a way, classic rock is already doing that. Classic rock was made for the ages.

Randy Norwood

Memphis

Climate Change

A recent letter by Cole Mitchell (January 30th issue) was correct about climate change on earth, in the sense that it has been going on for billions of years. He also wrote he doesn’t believe in the present climate change being influenced by human activity.

Since the industrial revolution, man has been responsible for most of the pollution in our air, water, and soil. There is a tipping point in any environment where pollution can overtake it and the environment is no longer conducive to life. Too bad Mitchell can’t ask all the species that have gone extinct due to climate change.

He thinks it’s a crime for President Obama to steer us away from using coal, and that solar energy will never replace this 18th-century energy source. He may even still be using whale oil to light his lamps.

Here is a fact: Every day, the sun pours enough energy onto the earth to power our civilization for a year. We can continue to dig into the earth for sources of energy or we can increase research and development to capture more solar and wind energy. The sun is expected to last for billions of years. Not so for oil, natural gas, and coal.

Jack Bishop

Cordova

Your Weekly Moment of Dag

There is no one who hates to be around people who have had too much to drink more than me. But I just heard on the news that if I have a party and someone leaves my house and has a wreck and kills someone because they had too much to drink, I can be charged. That is ridiculous.

How do I stop someone from driving after I’ve asked them not to? Put them in handcuffs? That is just not right. Am I also going to go to jail because I feed someone beef (I won’t. I’m vegan.) and give them a heart attack?

Guess you just can’t have a party any more and serve alcoholic drinks. Good grief.

Dagmar Bergan

Helena, Arkansas

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News The Fly-By

What They Said

CREDIT: Greg Cravens

MemphisFlyer.com

From “Not Okay, Cupid,” Kerry Crawford’s column about her problems with online dating in which she complained of too many pictures of dudes holding fish: ”Yes, 90 percent of men in Memphis are rednecks with camo hats. Is this surprising? You live in the south. Also, don’t begrudge someone because they have an outdoor related hobby. Boats are fun. Fishing is relaxing. Fishing is better than sitting around watching Netflix night after night.” — bill.automata

From “School’s Out?” about the proposal to close Westhaven Elementary because the building is in bad shape:

“I think this effort to close a school that is doing so well is highly questionable at best. Especially given that there are so many needy children in that neighborhood. As I understand things, the reasons being given to close the school would apply to almost everything built before 1990.” — QueerAnn

From “Ethics Panel Votes to Dismiss Charges Against Chism,” about conflict-of-interest charges against County Commissioner Sidney Chism for voting for appropriations benefiting the Horn Lake Road Day Care Center, which he owns:

“Chism did not benefit from his vote. Poor children did. Whether Chism owned the facility or not, whoever owned it would have mostly got the same benefit for the kids. This is a perfect example of a person being persecuted for who he is rather than what he has actually done. Since he was exonerated, his legal bills should be picked up by the government, or, better yet, Roland should be made to pay them.” — oldtimeplayer

Tweets

WMC-TV reporter Jason Miles tweeted this in response to our Fly in the Wall pic of Jason’s face on a birthday cake:

“I should be on the payroll by now @MemphisFlyer.”
— Jason Miles @JMilesWMC

Facebook

From a post about a Memphis Press-Scimiter box that mysteriously showed up outside the Flyer office:

“I know a fella who ‘took’ a USA Today paper machine from outside of a grocery store at Austin Peay and Yale Road to display his fish bowl on … My Dad told me (I mean him) that it better make its way back to where it belonged …”

— Scott Aitken

Categories
News The Fly-By

What They Said

CREDIT: Greg Cravens

From “Truck Stop Restaurateurs Win Approval From Board of Adjustment”:

“While I definitely still have concerns re: parking for this, I’m hopeful they’ll figure it out. I also hope some people around Memphis would not continue to get so freaked out by the concept of shipping container architecture. It’s been around for quite a while now. It’s versatile and truly should not be the most concerning thing about the project.” — saispas

Greg Cravens

From “Haslam, Ramsey State Positions on Meth, Medicaid, Vouchers, Guns, and More,” an article about Haslam’s conservative views:

“So from what hillbilly law school did that slack-jawed yokel Ron Ramsey graduate? The Blountville Moose Lodge?” — Robert Ritchie

From “Rocket Launcher: The Grizzlies can use the weekend wins over Houston to launch into a tough week”:

“I feel better about the FOGAFINI right now than I would have in the last few years. The one positive about all the injuries that the Grizzlies sustained in the first half of the season is that it gave a chance to really develop a deep bench. They’ve got 11-12 (once Tony comes back) players that can really play. Given that, I think they can tap into that bench more as the 4-game stretch starts to wear them down and potentially come out winning all 4 games.” — Trae Cadenhead

From “IV Angles for Super Bowl XLVIII,” Frank Murtaugh’s analysis of the angles for Super Bowl stories:

“For a liberal rag, I would’ve thought that the fact that these two teams represent the two states that have made the most progress towards full legalization of marijuana would’ve been one of the key points. I saw that the other day and thought it was interesting. Want your state’s team to make it to the Big Game? Legalize marijuana.” — GroveReb84

Categories
Letters To The Editor Opinion

Letters to the Editor

Gay Olympics

Randy Haspel’s comment, “Brian Boitano came out just in time for the 2014 Olympics,” (The Rant, January 9th issue) had me laughing until my sides ached. Even the blind knew that Boitano was light in the loafers. As if normal, heterosexual men figure skate. Hilarious!

Continuing, Haspel appears to believe that Obama delivered a zinger by sending a homosexual entourage to represent him in the Olympics. Are you libtards really that clueless? As an American of Ukrainian descent with many Eastern European friends and relatives, I can tell you first-hand, in that part of the world, Obama is viewed as in impotent excuse for a man.

So let’s recap: Obama decides to boycott the Olympics, and he is so appalled that his boycott involves sending homosexuals to represent him? That’s one hell of a strong statement there. I have news for you, no matter how hard Obama tries, homosexuality is never going to be an accepted Olympic event.

Tommy Volinchak

Memphis

Chris Christie

Regarding Chris Christie (The Rant, January 16th issue): He talked a lot about bipartisanship in his explanation speech following Bridgegate. Sure, there has been a lot of bipartisanship in New Jersey, because everyone was scared to death if they didn’t do what they were told, they would find a horse head in their bed!

Jim Stroupe


Memphis

Science!

I read that there are more people who believe that the Earth is flat than there are global warming deniers. With the 97 percent of scientists not employed by the oil or energy industry staunchly maintaining that global warming is real, I think that is probably an accurate statement.

It is amusing that when an extreme cold snap (which itself is a symptom of global warming) happens, the scientific illiterates immediately start ranting about global warming being a “liberal hoax.” Never mind the already rising sea levels, ever increasing average global temperatures, and the fact that computer modeling of global warming has been dead-on accurate.  

It is sad that the U.S. is fast becoming the most scientifically backward developed country on Earth.

Jim Brasfield

Memphis

The War on Poverty

Happy 50th birthday to the war on poverty. Of course, most have forgotten that in 1980 the war was suspended when the Reagan administration began the war on the middle class. And it continues today.

Reagan’s first year in office began a 34-year decline in the number of Americans in the middle class. Upward mobility became increasing hard. Falling into poverty became much easier. The Wall Street bull was let loose to rampage through the blue-collar workers who made up a high percentage of the middle class. Leverage buyouts, hedge funds, shipping good-paying jobs overseas, and destroying unions became the norm.

But Wall Street has seen a spectacular rise, from 900 to over 16,000 on the Dow. About 52 percent of Americans own stock, but that includes 401ks and pensions. A more telling number: The top 1 percent own 50 percent of the stock.

The tax laws also favor the well off. We saw that in the last election. Mitt Romney, whose worth is in the hundreds of millions, pays a tax rate of 14 percent. The big banks ripped off everyone. Their greed put millions of middle-class Americans in bankruptcy or living on the streets of our cities. There is an ever-growing number of children living in single-parent homes.Wages are stagnant.

We have Republicans worried about their campaign donations and Democrats concerned about their voting blocks. Neither seem to be concerned about what is happening to Main Street America.

Jack Bishop

Memphis

Detroit and Obamacare

In the early 1980s, General Motors embarked upon an enormous investment in automation. In 1985, it opened its showcase: The new Hamtramck factory in Detroit, Michigan, had 50 automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) to ferry parts around the plant, and 260 robots to weld and paint.

At first, it didn’t seem like such a good idea. The production lines ground to a halt for hours, while technicians tried to debug software. When they did work, the robots often began dismembering each other, smashing cars, spraying paint everywhere, or even fitting the wrong equipment.

It takes time to get new systems up and running correctly. The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) had a rocky start, but give it time and it will be as dependable and efficient as the other government programs Medicare and Social Security.

Kevin Garland

Covington, Tennessee

Categories
News The Fly-By

What They Said

CREDIT: Greg Cravens

From “Parents, Students Speak Out About Possible School Closures,” a story about Shelby County Schools’ proposal to shutter 13 schools:

“I understand the angst over the issue. Schools are really an anchor for a community, and by closing schools, you make the community around it even more likely to slip further into blight. That’s why the school board struggles with this, even though there is so much underutilization in the city right now.” — GroveReb84

From “Death Policy,” about proposals for sedation and live-feed cameras in the animal shelter’s euthanasia room:

“There is no excuse for not using sedation before euthanizing. It infuriates me when they say they have ‘humanely euthanized’ an animal, yet they admit to not using anesthesia. They really need new direction by a person that has some empathy for animals. We can do better than this Memphis!”

— RoRo

Greg Cravens

Also in the “Death Policy” comments, after one commenter said the Bible doesn’t condone mistreatment of animals:

“The Bible is A-OK with lots of things we don’t condone today. Like, you know, dashing the babies of your enemies against rocks, stoning disrespectful children, keeping slaves, having your women be silent in church. Do you honestly think that if Jesus were here today and you invited him to a dogfight, he’d be all like ‘Not a sin, so let’s go. I love me some dogfighting.’?” — Jeff

From “Public Rebuke,” about the censure of Thomas Henderson:

“There are mistakes and mistakes, but withholding evidence from the defense, especially evidence that can support the accused plea of ‘not guilty’ is not a mere mistake. When this is done by a prosecutor, it is intentional, just as the state Supreme Court said. Anytime a murder conviction is overturned, that is a huge thing, not a simple mistake.” — oldtimeplayer

Tweets

Response to Flyer staffer Greg Akers’ tweet about the “plebeian Chinese food” offered in the restaurant in Memphis City Hall:

“Appropriate given its location in the people’s hall. Get your hoi polloi Chinese delicacies ELSEWHERE.”

— Kerry Hayes @Kerry901

Response to a Flyer tweet about former Grizzly Rudy Gay wearing UConn gear behind the bench at a Memphis Tigers game:

“Like I said, any time a Memphis team loses, I blame it on Rudy Gay.”

— Akram @itsakram

Categories
Letters To The Editor Opinion

Letters to the Editor

Shelby County DMV

I read with great interest Bruce VanWyngarden’s column about the problems he and a family member had obtaining a voter photo-identification card (Letter from the Editor, January 9th issue). My dad had to go through the same sort of thing: waiting seemingly endlessly in a line that he was told was for voter ID, filling out all the paperwork, and then being hit up for the fee. He was in the “wrong” line and had to do the paperwork over in order to get the “free” photo identification. All this in order to do what he had been doing consistently for over 60 years — exercising his right to vote.

I can’t imagine how older people who are not in excellent physical shape can endure those waits, and it is even more disturbing to think that people in rural communities in Tennessee may have to drive across an entire county to get their voter identification. This whole process is disrespectful toward these people, and everyone without a photo ID, and is an absurd law, designed only for voter suppression.

James A. Prewitt

Memphis

I endured an experience similar to the Flyer editor’s recently with my daughter, who needed a replacement license. Unsupervised and under-staffed personnel appeared to be the main problem at the Summer Avenue location. The almost complete absence of adequate signage directing citizens to desired services resulted in mass confusion, managed solely by the security guard present to maintain control of an otherwise patient crowd.

Previously, I received very good service at the central location across from the main library, which has been closed. Perhaps Bill Gibbons at the state office of Homeland Security could look into this current situation for the citizens of Shelby County.

Mark Griffee

Memphis

Editor’s note: We were flooded with letters similar to those above, responding to the column about DMV centers in Shelby County. Bill Gibbons has asked to write a response to concerns about this issue. It will appear in next week’s Flyer.

Stick It to the Art

It passes my understanding why someone at the Flyer, in their wisdom, chooses to place a sticker ad in the worst possible place on a carefully designed cover.

The most recent travesty ad (“The Art of Worship” cover, January 9th issue) not only ruined the design but covered part of the face of Reverend Cheryl Cornish. This has happened to other cover pages, but this one was particularly heinous, since the sticker is tar black. If it weren’t for the Flyer‘s reputation, the text of the ad (“Scoop the Poop”) over the image of an “eclectic and progressive” church could be perceived as grossly offensive.

It is really a stupid practice and I, for one, am sick of seeing them. At least, with The Commercial Appeal, the equally irritating folded ads over the front page can be quickly recycled. Maybe this woudn’t happen again if sticker ads were affixed to family photos of the responsible parties.

Vincent Astor

Memphis

Editor’s note: In response to similar concerns expressed by several Flyer readers, we have met with our printer and are working on solutions to the sticker-placement problem.

Iraq: The Hard Place

Do you remember “Shock & Awe?” George W. Bush and his fellow neocons made the worst mistake in foreign policy since American advisers entered Vietnam.

Those who knew a little history of Islam, knew the war between Sunnis and Shiites had been going on for centuries. Saddam [Hussein], a cruel and evil man, had held Iraq together for decades by using fear and suppression. But Iraq under Saddam was the only power in the Middle East that held Iran in check.

The U.S. upset that balance at the cost of thousands of young brave American lives. And many more thousands of innocent Iraqis were killed. By removing Saddam, we gave Al-Qaida a foothold in the region. Now they have our puppet Iraq government in retreat. Defense secretary Kerry claims we will not send in troops. I suggest we send in W., Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Condi, and the rest of the cowards who started the war. Arm them with the canvas-sided humvees, no body armor, and words of encourgement: Don’t worry, the people will throw flowers at you.

Jack Bishop

Memphis