Letters to the Editor - Deserving October 14 2004

I just read ur article about the “Return of the b-boys” (Oct. 7). Really well-written story, man. I know all those b-boys pretty well. Quic is at every b-boy event in Atlanta, he’s a real nice guy. I’ve even freestyled (MCing) with him a few times. Totem is just a sick b-boy and graf writer all around, just amazing.

I like wut u wrote about the Atlanta b-boy scene. Every show I go to, it’s always real positive — people laugh, shake hands, dance, mingle, and are always up for some battling. So much love where people tend to think there would be tension instead. Anyway, just really wanted to thank u for puttin that scene into a bit of a spotlight again cuz they really deserve it and people should know about it, especially in ATL.

-- Wahid Khoshravani, Alpharetta

br>?Breakdancing’s cousin
Very good article about b-boys and breakdancing (“Return of the b-boys,” Oct. 7). If you want to know another huge influence on breakdancing other than James Brown, you must turn your focus to Brazil. The Brazilian martial arts form called capoeira provided some of the groundwork for the early years of breakdancing. The moves, the other breakdancers forming a circle around each other, etc. — these are all components that are key to capoeira.

The true essence of capoeira can be found in Angola and also in Salvador, Bahia (Brazil), where the slaves used it to fight against their masters to gain some freedom. There is a deeper meaning behind breakdancing, which is why it is something that has transcended the test of time. I even believe there have been some documentaries made about this connection.

-- Lamonte Artis, Atlanta

br>?Start looking more seriously
I was very glad to read “An agonizing choice” (News & Views, Oct. 7). I hope it gets some people to start looking at the Libertarians a little more seriously. As much as folks might think that what the Bush administration is trying to do is well intentioned, I wish they would stop to think — do they really want Ted Kennedy and his friends to have the powers that the PATRIOT Act would give them? Do they think there’ll NEVER be another Democrat administration?

There are good reasons why real conservatives ought to prefer limited government — even when it limits their own side. Maybe especially then. But the Republican Party seems to have forgotten that. Some real competition would do them a world of good.

-- Brad Bulger, San Francisco, Calif.

br>?See through
Bob Barr’s attempt to make it sound reasonable to want to vote for Bush is nearly as transparent as the president himself (News & Views, “An agonizing choice,” Oct. 7). Far more important than winning a second term was a timely execution of the planned invasion of Iraq. The members of this administration must be amazed at the gullibility of the American public — re-election will be a surprise bonus.

-- Arland Miller, Lawrenceville

br>?Write-in protests
I just read Bob Barr’s piece titled “An agonizing choice” (News & Views, Oct. 7).

I didn’t know until our present president just how conservative I really was. But when I watched those wonderful surpluses fly right out the window, I nearly cried. When I saw what the PATRIOT Act was really about, I was shocked. And as I watch this president use 9/11 for political purposes, I KNEW a true conservative wouldn’t do that.

I’ve read other pieces like this, and have heard that at least one conservative was going to abandon Bush. He said he would write in Bush Sr. as a protest. Since most conservatives would probably have much trouble voting for a Democrat, this sounds like a great alternative.

I say, pick your favorite conservative president, and write him in as a protest!

-- Douglas S. Erhard,

South Strafford, Vt.

br>?But I contributed
Good article. I have resented the Kerry campaign for writing Georgia off (News & Views, “Can Georgia swing?” Oct. 7). I had to beg for a yard sign even though I sent them some money.

-- Jon Carlsten, Atlanta

br>?Had enough
All I can say is thank God somebody is finally speaking the truth about these artists that call themselves R&B singers when they’re really “hip-hop and R&B” singers (Vibes, “The trouble with Usher,” Oct. 7). So much drama in the world today, I don’t want to hear it in my music.

-- Kellie Wellington, Snellville

br>?I hear ya
Craig Seymour: You’re not alone. I also think Usher is an asshole (Vibes, “The trouble with Usher,” Oct. 7). However, like 999,999 others, I purchased Confessions in its first week of release.

I didn’t attend the concert, but I’m sure it was full of screaming women who fantasize about being with Usher, although he’s a self-professed liar and cheater.

I don’t think cheating is something to overlook, but like you wrote, he’s “pretty and paid,” and what could anyone realistically expect from such a person?

-- C. Johnson, Atlanta

br>?Is it just me?
I have NEVER been so moved to write anyone in regard to a music commentary. However, you pulled the words right out of my mouth when you talked about Usher and the lame ass songs of today (Vibes, “The trouble with Usher,” Oct. 7)! I was wondering myself why I could hear the cheating songs of yesterday and they didn’t annoy me as much as the horrific songs of today do. You totally explained it — the old-school crooners actually had feeling and you could sense some type of remorse! Unlike the garbage today, where you can sleep with him and her and them and “thur” with no remorse, no care, and with a huge smirk on the artist’s face.

Usher really disappointed me, because I used to think of him like Beyonce, a likeable artist whose songs I could sing along with without feeling sick to my stomach about the lyrics. But now he sounds like a wannabe R. Kelly without the pending criminal record. I just hope he doesn’t end up busting a cap, or having a stream of child supportees (like everyone else seems to be doing) to prove that he is “down.”

I used to respect Usher because of his good-guy image. He seemed to really like women. I just hope this is a phase for him.

It also amazes me, as you said, that many women will sing along with the most degrading songs with huge smiles on their faces, like they are listening to love songs. I wonder, am I crazy or is everyone else?

-- Kisa Pangburn, Atlanta

?Should know better
I was very shocked and deeply offended to see your caption under your photograph of Java Monkey (“Pundits’ Pick for Best Place for Poetic Primates to Speak Their Words,” Best of Atlanta, Sept. 30). How in the world does Creative Loafing think that it is acceptable to put a caption under an African-American person calling them a “poetic primate,” really?! This caption is racist and disappointing. You guys should know better.

-- Ellen Coleman, Decatur