Air America
To the Editor:
Finally, the airwaves over Memphis will be hosting talk radio that is not full of right-wing hate speech. Memphis ditto-heads, you are now on notice — liberal radio has arrived. (See page 7.)
AM 680, the new home of Air America radio, offers a whole host of liberal voices. Kemp Conrad, the chairman of the Shelby County Republican Party, stated that the station will not have a big impact here. Keep telling yourself that, Mr. Conrad.
Air America is not even a year old, but already it has secured 46 stations across the country plus both satellite radio companies and a devoted Webcast following. Al Franken, Air America’s showcase host, has already beaten King Rush in some markets.
Everything they say is backed up with facts from other sources that listeners can check out. No “faith-based” listening allowed. Liberals of Memphis, your prayers have been answered.
Aaron Prather
Cordova
Home of the Free
To the Editor:
If we believed some sources, we would get the impression that America has never done anything good and is to blame for everything bad that happens around the world. If we believed what these factions want us to believe, we might as well hang it up now.
Yes, I am talking about Iraq and the election. I am also talking about those who would like Americans to believe that we are just wasting our time in Iraq, that we are to blame for every grenade that is fired, and that the whole situation is hopeless.
The clerk at my grocery store served in Iraq but could not go back because he lost his leg. We all told him how much we respected him for what he did and that we were sorry about his leg. He proudly proclaimed that he was not sorry but proud to have served, because he saw how much good we have done there. The Iraqis he met were very happy about the American presence. He said that they realized that we are their only hope for freedom and democracy. He said the only thing he regretted was the fact that he could not go to Iraq again and finish the job. This proud veteran said it wasn’t as bad as the media make it sound.
Having traveled many countries, it is clear to me that America is still the greatest country in the world. In light of Iraq’s first election, and in honor of our countrymen and women who so bravely serve, and in support of the American spirit of supporting freedom around the world, let’s give America a pat on the back for all the good we have accomplished.
God bless America — the home of the free!
Marina Best
Arlington
Charlie Peete
To the Editor:
Thank you for “Charlie Peete,” a meaningful, beautifully written editorial (January 27th issue). You pointed out that “he was … the one who insisted on rules of civility from the almost exclusively conservative audience.”
That caused me to recall these words from John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address: “So let us begin anew — remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness and sincerity is always subject to proof.”
“Both sides” would mean liberals too.
Arthur Prince
Memphis
Merkur Memories
To the Editor:
The article “Peace in the Parts Yard,” written by Paul Gerald (January 20th issue), took me down memory lane. I was one of the youths that used to use Paul’s old Merkur as a backstop for baseball games. True, the car wasn’t very pretty or expensive, but it was certainly unique. Perhaps the nicest thing about it was that Paul didn’t worry about us climbing on it or just sitting on the hood. To all the boys in Clanlo (our old neighborhood) that car was something we really had lots of fun with, and it is sorely missed. Thanks to Paul for allowing us neighborhood kids to enjoy that Merkur — and for all the good times.
Patrick Sala
Germantown
W is for Women?
To the Editor:
Back in the 2000 presidential campaign, before people knew George W. Bush’s true colors, he used the slogan “W is for Women.” Four years later and the reelected Bush is praising anti-abortion demonstrators as they rally against Roe v. Wade, walking hand-in-hand with those who want to criminalize women for having abortions. Are women going to let a group of religious extremists take away their right to freedom of choice? Religious right-wingers in the White House, Congress, and Supreme Court will criminalize abortion if given a chance. Only a united women’s front and its sincere supporters can stop them.
Ron Lowe
Nevada City, California
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