Letters to the Editor - Save the city December 25 2003

Thanks so much for making Coro Realty the scalawag (News & Views, Dec. 18). Atlanta’s architecture from the ’20s through the ’70s is demolished at an alarming rate. Many of us feel powerless to stop the burn-and-rebuild mentality. There are so many buildings that may not be considered “historic” but nevertheless provide the city’s character and a sense of place to its residents. I hope that CL will continue to champion the cause of saving our city as we know it from being a string of stucco chain stores and sterile apartment buildings.

-- Roger Walker, Atlanta


br>?I’ll do my own
I have just finished reading Felicia Feaster’s article about the struggling and failing attempt to sell art work at a reasonable price (Arts, “The price isn’t right,” Dec. 18). As an artist of paintings, words and performances, I recognize many of the problems with pricing one’s “art” for sale as “product” to friends or strangers. I don’t know many writers, artists or actors who have what would commonly be called “a regular paycheck,” and we who produce art often have difficulty becoming the consumers of our peers’ output (due to time or money). I have traded paintings, bartered art for services (and vice-versa), and handed over a paycheck for a month’s worth of performing for a single ink drawing being displayed in the theater’s lobby.

To keep my own prices (which are always available for haggling) lower, I reclaim house paints and wood panels from curbside trash collection and pass the saving on to my customers. Ms. Feaster’s article helped to increase awareness of this artistic difficulty and I thank her/you for it, but my heart was made heavy when (just six pages later) I noticed that the price for Creative Loafing favorite Cooper Sanchez’s plywood ape heads had been increased $10 in one week ($20 Dec. 11; $30 Dec. 18). Thanks, Cooper, but I think I will make my own.

-- Steven Westdahl, Atlanta


br>?Lies, lies and more lies
I just want to say thank you for your article regarding Boortz (Fishwrapper, “Neal Boortz is no John Galt,” Dec. 18). I am so tired of all these conservative radio personalities I could scream! They lie, lie, lie. Or, they don’t even know what the facts are to know if they are lying or not.

It’s time that each and every one of them are called on their distortions and misinformation. As Americans, we are in serious trouble, we have to be heard and demand accountability.

Boortz is so ignorant it’s laughable.

-- Beth M. Linton, Birmingham, Ala.


br>?Just the facts, please
“Neal Boortz is no John Galt” is disturbing (Fishwrapper, Dec. 18). The mindless political dribble spewing from John F. Sugg hardly defends the ideals embodied in the fictional, yet poignant, character of John Galt. If Mr. Sugg has read the book, his attempt at an analogy was not at all apparent, unless he was referring to himself as one of the John Galt detractors. With the accuracy of an Uzi, Sugg’s column engages in rank tirades, spraying clip after clip of pitiable rhetoric at a supposed indefensible Neal Boortz. Perhaps Boortz could be defended were he and his statements accurately portrayed.

I am a longtime listener to the Neal Boortz radio program. I’m also a libertarian. I have read Atlas Shrugged and claim its ideals as my own.

Mr. Sugg begins his rant on Boortz’s incompetence by referring to President Bush’s purported lie about the reasons for going to war in Iraq.

Boortz had mistakenly supported his claim with facts, the actual statement of the president. How dare he! Incidentally British intelligence still support what they informed the president and the U.S. intelligence about regarding Saddam’s weapon potential.

Sugg further suggests the Bush administration admitted to telling lies in order to instigate this war. Again, Boortz defers to actual statements, not third party misinterpretations. Sorry, no such admission.

Sugg even accuses Neal of being a Reaganite! Hogwash and balderdash. I’ve heard Mr. Boortz support only one specific act of Reagan, the lowering of taxes, a very libertarian, John Galt-like act. This tax decrease lead to an increase in national productivity which resulted in an increased collection of taxes (which, of course, the Democrat congress spent and then some). In as much as Reagan adhered to the principles of libertarianism, to that extent, Boortz identifies with Reagan and only in those areas.

The same goes for “W.” Neal ripped Bush a new one on domestic spending. He supports the Iraq war but not Bush in totality. Always there is a delineation. Always there are specifics. Always there are, at least, the pursuits of truth and principle. Boortz doesn’t need me to defend him. Rather am I defending myself, my beliefs. I wish journalists and politicians did as well.

If you’re going to spray the reader with rapid-fire accusations, Mr. John F. Sugg, you’d be well advised to verify your weapon isn’t shooting blanks.

-- Gene Jasinski, Doraville


br>?Three cheers
Once again, you have penned an outstanding piece against authoritarian government and its slimy shills (Fishwrapper, “Neal Boortz is no John Galt,” Dec. 18). Boortz is one of those “national greatness” neocons who loves big government as long as Republicans control it. We Southern traditionalists, because of our long-standing opposition to big government in all its forms, have become one of Boortz’s favorite targets, dismissing us as “flaggerts.” What a clever man he is.

Anyway, you got in some good shots at this pompous ass. Those unexplained cheers you hear from your right are coming from us Southerners.

-- Mike Tuggle, Charlotte, N.C.


br>?What a gas
It is amusing to hear John Sugg, the king of inaccuracy, partial truth, misstatement and rumor-mongering, criticize brother Neal Boortz after admitting he never listens to more than a few minutes of his show (Fishwrapper, “Neal Boortz is no John Galt,” Dec. 18). It is very easy to refute nearly every point in his simple-minded column but instead I will merely suggest this: The merest fart that ever escaped Neal Boortz’s formerly ample posterior is worth more than every word John Sugg will utter in his entire, miserable life.

-- Dave Sims, Atlanta


br>?Read all about it
Thanks for outing Neil Boortz for the hateful demagogue that he is (Fishwrapper, “Neal Boortz is no John Galt,” Dec. 18). Most of us already knew this, but this article is refreshing to see in the Loaf. This is exactly the right publication for this article. I hope that EVERYONE sees it.

-- A. Heather Williams, Decatur

?Blowing hot air
(In response to Fishwrapper, “Neal Boortz is no John Galt, Dec. 18): Excellent article. I used to listen to The Windbag, but when he wholly embraced King George’s war, I stopped listening. Boortz is little more than Limbaugh Lite. What a libertarian fraud! Unfortunately, countless Americans are going to get their impression of what it is to be a libertarian from this guy.

-- Russell D. Longcore, Atlanta



?Tighten the belt
[The Beltline] is a great, and unique, opportunity for Atlanta. I hope your readers will get involved in making the Belt Line a reality (“News & Views, “This is no loopy loop,” Nov. 20). Good public transportation will make living in town a much nicer experience. If we want a way to get out of our cars this is the best chance to do it.

--Jay Woodall, Atlanta