Sound of Success
Thanks to the Flyer for publishing Joe Boone’s great and untold story about the many successes of our public school music programs (“The Sound of Success,” December 19th issue). It’s so easy for Memphis haters to throw stones at our schools, but I know from personal experience that this system graduates thousands of talented — and well-educated — young people each year. And it’s okay to actually be proud of that. Thanks again.
J.L. Woodward
Memphis
Big Beer Bottles
I’ve been reading and hearing a lot about “growlers” in the Flyer and elsewhere (“Get Your Fill,” December 19th issue). Big deal, I thought, beer in a big bottle. As someone said to me, trying to explain it, it’s like a “40” for yuppies. But I caved in to curiosity and went to Cash Saver and bought a growler of Yazoo. And it was good. Tastes fresher. I’m converted. Praise Jesus.
Rick Taylor
Memphis
Les is More
Adding Les Smith to your lineup of Flyer columnists was a good move (At Large, December 19th issue). I thought his story on getting back to basics for the Wharton administration was right on target. More Les.
Mario Galloway
Memphis
Dagmar
Dagmar Bergan lost a teaching job while her great leader, President Obama, was in office (Letters, December 19th issue). It’s under Obama that you can’t find another job, like the millions who have quit looking.
Bergan can just keep working all those other jobs, and she should be okay. Or she can do what I did — and many others have had to do — look outside the teaching profession.
I worked for over 25 years in customer service and billing — 20 of those years with FedEx. I resigned in 2004, after lining up another job. In the job crash of 2008-2009, I lost that job. I had to think out of the box to feed myself and live a comfortable life. Now I clean a big retail business, and my part-time work almost pays full-time wages. I’m very happy and blessed.
The time has come to stop blaming others for your problems! If anyone is to blame, it’s Barack Obama, as we all are seeing now.
Cole Mitchell
Memphis
Folly La, La, La …
‘Tis the season for political folly. And in that spirit, the Tea Party wing of the Republican Party is toning down its rhetoric and message for next year’s elections. But does anyone really think Ted Cruz, Sarah Palin, and the brainwashed Republicans of the far right are going to change their thinking and agenda overnight? Ain’t going to happen. As a matter of fact, you can be sure this group of political and religious radicals will be lurking in the shadows, just waiting to pounce on the next “hot button” issue and show their true colors.
Dennis Anderson
Memphis
Appeasement?
President Obama and John Kerry continue to promote an agenda of U.S. appeasement in the Middle East and elsewhere. Kerry has played a leading role in formulating and implementing an agreement with Iran to temporarily put a limit on Iran’s uranium enrichment program for six months. Iran can continue enriching uranium to 5 percent. In return, Iran gets access to $7 billion in frozen funds and, more importantly, is able to get partial relief from the crippling burden of the economic sanctions.
Although inspectors will be monitoring the temporary agreement, Iran will probably continue a higher-grade uranium enrichment program in secret facilities. As the end of the agreement approaches, Iran can stall and hinder negotiations and ask for the continuation of six-month temporary agreements until it has the nuclear weapons. Iran cannot be trusted.
While Kerry is appeasing the Iranians, Obama is busy appeasing China’s power play in the East China Sea. China has declared an air defense zone and wants aircraft to notify China if they enter the international air space. Japan has refused to comply with the demand, but the Obama administration has asked U.S. commercial airlines to make the notifications.
The Obama administration continues to weaken our stature in the world through unbridled appeasement.
Donald Moskowitz
Londonderry, New Hampshire
