Kudos for us
“48 Hours On Belle Isle” (Metro Times, June 2) was one of the most compelling stories I have ever read in your paper. Congrats to all who worked on it — outstanding job! —Martin Bandyke, Harper Woods
Reagan’s revolution
Re: “Getting out of this mess” (Metro Times, May 26), I am one of those people who at the time thought that Nixon and Reagan were the most awful leaders our nation could produce. How innocent I was in those days.
In a lot of ways, while less evil than the pure evil we have in the White House now, they did set the stage for that evil. I guess you could call them enablers.
I think it was Reagan who got rid of the fairness doctrine. So Dubya can spin his lies, unchallenged, as he wishes. Clinton? He loosened the radio ownership rules which allowed Clear Channel and their war supporters to take over the airwaves. Bush the first? Clarence Thomas, the deciding Supreme Court vote who allowed Bush to take over.
Reagan, though, in my view, was the king. Without him, and with instead someone like Carter or Mondale being there, Bush II would never have had a chance. Heck, where could he have gotten his advisers from?
Without the previous evil in there loosening media restrictions, appointing court nominees, slashing government programs, etc., Bush II would have had a heck of a lot harder time getting in office and getting away with what he gets away with now with our consolidated, corporate media in tow.
—Dan Lorenzen, Elmhurst, Ill.
Of mice and amendments
Jack Lessenberry’s take on the Fahrenheit 9/11/Disney debacle is unique, and I can understand the emotions behind wanting to call Disney’s actions “censorship.”
I have to disagree with that take, however.
Our First Amendment, part of that wonderful document called the Bill of Rights, ensures that Americans have freedom to express their thoughts or practice their religion, openly and freely, without fear of government intervention.
Mr. Moore and his supporters seem to be under the impression that Disney is trampling all over his freedom of speech.
The problem is, Disney has not and is not stepping on First Amendment rights — they can’t! Disney is not the government. Disney is a private organization, making a business decision. As the funders — and, more importantly, owners — of Fahrenheit 9/11, they can pretty much do whatever they wish with the film. Moore may not like it, and he has the freedom to complain about it, but in the end, it is what it is: Moore does not own the movie, Disney does. —Jonathon Kecskes, St. Clair Shores
Hip hop and hopes
I really enjoyed your article about the Hip-Hop Summit (“[Un]conscious party?,” Metro Times, May 26). Being a baby boomer, I try to learn as much as I can about hip hop because I just don’t understand it Maybe I should say, “I’m just not feeling it.” I probably never will because it’s for a different generation.
Anyway, it might be a very good idea to encourage 17-year-olds to vote and become educated voters. We train children toward the behavior we want to see down the road. I am happy to see the hip-hop movement attempt to promote something for the common good, not just “get your slice of the bling.” Your comments regarding the sexism were on target in my book. I do hope the hip-hoppers reverse the negative positions they cast women in. And the free advertising that is given to Nike et al. is enough to cause stomach upheaval. —Marlene Brownlee, Southfield
Journey into Sound
Our compliments to Metro Times and Adam Stanfel for bringing our attention to the wonders of United Sound and its rebirth (“The United Sound,” Metro Times, May 19). It was a wonderfully written article — one that allows the national media to see the continued re-investment in Detroit’s birth of original sounds. We knew that eight-track tapes were born there — we just didn’t know the fascinating parts of the story. —Christina Lovio-George, Detroit
Send comments to [email protected]
