Letters February 03 2005

Tricked ya
?Curt Holman: Thanks for your review (Arts, “Expletive delighted,” Jan. 27). A correction: In my play “Eos, Daughter of the Dawn,” the woman wrapped in a blanket at the beginning is the grieving American mother of a slain soldier, not a covered Arab woman. If you listen closely, she describes being arrested, thrown into a van and locked away behind walls for wanting to wear a T-shirt and be seen by “the powerful ones.”

This is based on an actual mother wearing a T-shirt that read “George Bush, You Killed My Son” on CNN in September. She attempted to attend a rally held by Laura Bush and was handcuffed and thrown into a van by police officers as she sobbed and said something like, “This is a free country, you’re taking away my rights.” The point, which you missed, was that we assume (as you did) that censorship is something outside our American experience rather than part of it. In fact, it is so much a part of our experience, we fail to recognize it. I will admit, I was trying to trick you.

- Heather Woodbury, Los Angeles

Wallow in their pork
?Well, John Sugg, at least you are an accomplished writer. The flowery language ?and clever metaphors peppered with just the right amount of idealism (Fishwrapper, ?”The charnel house president,” Jan. 27). Social Security is an abject failure. ?I don’t find it satisfactory to get 1 percent or, if the planets align, 2 percent ?return on my money. It’s a shame you relied on the old “we need money for schools” ?phrase. Can you actually cite figures that reveal a deficiency?

The city of Atlanta spends at least 15 grand per student per year. Money will not stop the artery wound that is public education. Sociological neurosis is the genesis of the education problem: The anti-achievement mentality and lack of parental involvement create the cancerous malaise. Perhaps a more sophisticated curriculum involving economics and personal finance would breed far more financial freedom. Social Security funds are nothing more than petty cash for eager politicians to wallow in their pork. It’s a travesty that when you die, our family gets nothing out of the remainder of what you put in Social Security. But in your little world, I guess it’s OK if the government can be funded so that they can buy their votes and keep people barely afloat.

- Robb Tribble, Decatur

Practice compassion
?I read your review of the movie What the #$*! Do We Know!? and I totally disagree with you (Headcase, “Thinner thighs in 30 seconds,” Jan. 20). First of all, you must remember in your arrogance that everyone has not been given as much intellect as you. I have read your column for years and to be honest with you, sometimes I don’t even know what you are saying. You are so smart that a lot of what you write goes over my head. So when a movie like What the #$*! comes along, it’s great because it is easier to understand.

I took my daughter to see this movie and it was very empowering to her, to know that she has some input as to how her life can be based on her thinking. She’s 21, by the way, and just starting out. Why are you so jealous of Deepak Chopra? Again, here is a person who can present enlightening information in a manner us dumber people can understand.

Cliff, I suggest you tone it down a little in your spiritual superiority and practice more tolerance and acceptance of other people’s way of expressing a more positive outlook. Everyone is not on the same level and as long as we are trying to live better lives and make that spiritual connection, that is what is important.

In your intellect you have missed the whole point. A starting place for you would be to practice compassion for us dumb people who like to read Deepak Chopra (my 80-year-old mom), and see movies like What the #$*! I am now sending you lots of light and love and I know you will have a beautiful life.

- Aba Bailey, College Park

Hope to heal
?It’s heartening to see Georgia Democrats recognize that their declining fortunes ?are no political accident (News & Views, “Shut up and vote,” Jan. 20). Sen. ?[Kasim] Reed’s retort, “It’s the same kind of overreaching that cost the Democrats ?so much support around the state,” acknowledges how their own policies and their ?conduct of those policies contributed to their electoral decline and some voter ?backlash.

Maybe now they’ll have some hope to heal their own errors, stem the tides of defectors, and recover as a functioning party. And, while they are at it, maybe they’ll learn whatever it was they did to drive Zell Miller into lunacy and not drive away any other high profile Democrats.

- LW Calhoun, Atlanta

Can we get more?
?Reeves Jackson: This is the best thing that I have ever read in the Loaf ?(News & Views, “Meet the enemy,” Jan. 20). You need a column every week. Kudos ?to the Loaf for giving you space to bust their balls. Keep up the good ?work.

- Jamie J. Smith, Atlanta

In their face
?Reeves Jackson: Man, was I psyched to read your new column in CL (News ?& Views, “Meet the enemy,” Jan. 20)! You, my friend, tell it like it is! And ?right in the liberals’ faces, to boot.

I especially liked your shots at the “Selma Bridge leftovers,” as those idiots have done nothing but sully the good work of the real Civil Rights workers of the ’60s.

- Daniel Summerlin, Atlanta

Whatcha doin’?
?I’m not quite sure what you’re trying to do as ombudsman, but this is certainly a unique (not in a good way) take on the traditional role (News & Views, “Meet the enemy,” Jan. 20). I find it hard to concentrate on what you are saying instead of how you are saying it. Try an approach with more reason and less invective next time.

- Howard Fore, Atlanta






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