Coolidge Was Cool
To the Editor:
Jackson Baker (Politics, April 18th issue) wrote: “‘The trouble with Don,’ mused a seasoned GOP political handler recently, ‘is that he’ — the governor, mind you — ‘has started to believe in government.'”
On the lighter side, if that is true, then the governor is no Calvin Coolidge. No devotee of laissez faire ever abhorred government more than Coolidge did. “If the federal government should go out of business,” he said, “the common run of people would not detect the difference.” The federal establishment justified itself, he added, “only as it served business.” In Coolidge’s view, government’s grandest service was to minimize itself, its activities, and its expenditures.
Arthur Prince
Memphis
Agrees With Tomorrow
To the Editor:
For the first time ever, I finally agree with Tom Tomorrow (This Modern World, April 18th issue). I find it difficult to believe a religion that claims to have a benevolent god does not mind the killing of innocents. I am a dedicated libertarian, so narrow-sighted, close-minded opinions always make me laugh. Neither of the major parties is getting it right. Since libertarians do not have enough public support to change public opinion, my advice is for Americans to quit voting strict party lines, start voting your true beliefs.
Levi Gay
Memphis
Master Of the Obvious
To the Editor:
I don’t know what the argument is about (“A Road Not Yet Traveled,” April 11th issue). It’s so obvious that a second outer “belt” would be the most useful and least congested way of routing I-69 through the Memphis area. If you look at the major cities in the U.S., you’ll notice that most of them have two belts. To run I-69 directly through downtown would congest downtown even more and add to the pollution problem. If Memphis leaders had any brains, they would want a highway that will be an international link as well as a belt to relieve traffic congestion.
As far as Cordova’s objections: Perhaps we can save a few bucks by skipping them. No on- or off-ramps.
Lou Summers
Memphis
Motto Info
To the Editor:
In the April 11th edition, a letter writer quoted the phrase “In God We Trust” to support his claim that “Christianity was the foundation upon which the U.S. government was built.” It may surprise that writer to learn that “In God We Trust” first appeared on U.S. coins in 1864 and was not included on all newly minted coins until 1938. The phrase did not appear on paper money until 1957. “In God We Trust” was declared the national motto of the United States by a joint resolution of Congress in 1956. See the Web site of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (www.ustreas.gov/opc/opc0011.html).
Kent Overturf
Memphis
A “Non-Review”?
To the Editor:
As a young artist in Memphis, I found David Hall’s latest “non-review” disappointing (“Shoulder To Shoulder,” April 11th issue). It was frustrating to read another such piece by Hall because so much good art and bad art goes unrecognized. If the show is bad, give it a bad review. If there are artists who are underappreciated, then write about them instead of listing them in some “who’s who” of the underground scene. Politics is part of life in every city, in every area of discourse. Let it go. We do not need reviews about the politics of art. We need reviews of art.
Alan Duckworth
Memphis
More Griz
To the Editor:
I have lived in Memphis for 30 years and I vehemently believe that the Grizzlies coming here is the best thing that has happened to this city. It’s not just the thrill of being able to see a live NBA game. What these players and this organization have given us thus
far in community outreach is nearly immeasurable. The players are constantly at area schools reading to our children. They are involved with Le Bonheur, Habitat for Humanity, Toys for Tots, Target House, and Ronald McDonald House. The list is endless. I’m surprised they found time to actually play basketball. And now rumors are flying of Jerry West coming to Memphis.
When I first moved to Memphis, I asked my father what other cities were comparable to Memphis. He told me Atlanta. Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Atlanta host the Olympics a few years back? The eyes of the world are going to be focused on Memphis in a month due to the Tyson-Lewis fight. I hope the scoop the media comes away with is how good the barbecue is, not our inability to build our newly acquired NBA team an arena.
Suzan Quinlan
Memphis
The Memphis Flyer encourages reader response. Send mail to: Letters to the Editor, POB 1738, Memphis, TN 38101. Or call Back Talk at 575-9405. Or send us e-mail at letters@memphisflyer.com. All responses must include name, address, and daytime phone number. Letters should be no longer than 250 words.
