DEVOID?
To the Editor:
I read with pleasure Tim Sampson’s We Recommend (August 26th issue).
It was refreshing to hear someone echoing what so many of us feel. He is
certainly not alone in his repulsion from the garbage we get as news from the media.
The news and soap operas have similar themes, both devoid of any
meaningful information.
Grace Benz
Memphis
On the Ropes
To the Editor:
Your chiseled-chin hero, John Kerry, is on the ropes regarding his service
in Vietnam — and rightly so. In your Editorial (August 26th issue), you cited
the senator’s war record as an “overriding
reason” why Kerry is the better candidate in
a time of “war and terrorist threat.” And
now, you lamented, Kerry is being smeared by a “Big Lie” campaign by a “shadowy”
group, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.
Never mind that we’re not enduring a terrorist “threat” but are in a
full-fledged war. What really shook me was your bizarre argument that those swift-boat
vets aren’t in a “position to judge Kerry’s
Vietnam actions.” Why? Because they’re all Republicans or because of their
“patent resentment,” whatever that means, of
his antiwar actions.
How about if you’re in the same Asian country on the same river on a swift
boat next to Kerry? Is that a good enough position to
judge him? And then when he gets back to the States (after only
four months in a war zone), he tells the world in sworn testimony that you’re
nothing less than a bloodthirsty baby killer?
Now that people are learning about Kerry, they have an overriding reason
to pick the partying frat boy who finally grew up over the lying, shameless
opportunist who has yet to change.
Billy Davis
Memphis
To the Editor:
I am a Marine Vietnam veteran, and I agree with your editorial 100 percent.
I find it offensive that a group of people can make unsubstantiated claims and
get so much media attention without ever having to produce
proof of these claims. Then the Republicans call for the
elimination of all 527 ads. How many 527 ads from the other side have you
seen being covered as a news story for weeks on end?
Since the media has not received specific proof that Bush completed his
National Guard service commitment, that question should not go away.
What about the president’s desire to find out who in his administration outed
CIA agent Valerie Plame? I remember our hard-charging press asking
President Clinton about the blue dress during a press conference with some foreign
head of state. Why does the press seem so docile these days? Could it be that this is
the desire of the corporate media ownership?
Paul Britton
Houston, Texas
Most Disappointing
To the Editor:
So President Bush now claims that “the mostdisappointing thing” about
his four years in office has been his inability to “change the harsh environment”
in Washington. Right. And David Duke is deeply saddened by his failure to
overcome racial bigotry in America.
In 2000, Bush finished a close second in the popular vote after
campaigning as a “uniter, not a divider” and
promising to be a “compassionate conservative.” He also promised to lead
a “humble” foreign policy. Then he governed from the far-right fringe,
reserved his compassion for his wealthy backers, and established the most
incompetent foreign policy in the history of the
republic — alienating our closest allies and creating new enemies.
I understand folks who favor Republican policies on certain issues, but I
am baffled when I observe Republicans who are willing to give Bush a free pass
this fall. Outside the insular fantasy-land of right-wing radio, America is
clearly headed in the wrong direction, and Bush and Cheney deserve much of the blame.
B. Keith English
Memphis
NonUnion Labor
To the Editor:
The public should be made aware of the Grizzlies’ recent decision to hire
out-of-town nonunion labor to staff their upcoming events. I.A.T.S.E. Local 69
has served Memphis and the surrounding area for over 105 years with
quality-trained union labor. Promoters and producers request and rely upon
the I.A.T.S.E. for their staffing needs. This does not include all the major
motion pictures that were filmed here because of the availability of qualified union
labor. I find it hard to believe that an arena built with public funds has turned
its back on the local work force that helps promote our great city.
Allen Byassee,
President, I.A.T.S.E.
Memphis
