Letters to the Editor

Concerning the "Newshits" piece on the reduction of the Social Services Block Grant (MT, July 12-18): I hope that one day Ann Mullen will realize that the producers of wealth in this country make it possible for any of to have jobs, and that taxing their productivity and the productivity of their employees is not the way to best serve the American individual. While I will briefly side with her cynical stance on the politicos' issue-mongering during election years, I must firmly disagree with her regarding the loss of SSBC funds: if they cannot figure out a way to honestly finance themselves, either through creating wealth or private, voluntary donations, the programs should be managed by someone who has the competency to do such.

It is far past the time in this nation when we stop putting the "needs" of the "low-income children" above that of the people in this country that produce the wealth that allows the "low-income children" to exist at all. Or do you honestly think (not feel) that the "low-income children" would be better off in an America where the productivity of the best and brightest businesspeople was shackled or driven off because of the disincentive of higher taxation? —Chuck Blythe, Novi

Ann Mullen’s reply: We must live in two different countries. The one you describe puts the needs of low-income children above those who "produce wealth." Whereas I live in a country inhabited by some who think (not feel) that needy children prevent the "best and brightest" from producing wealth. I'd rather live in your world. It sounds far more humane.

Techno power

It's good to see The Metro Times initiating a discussion about the significance of the Detroit Electronic Music Festival (DEMF), and the future of techno in the city of its origin ("Heat of the Night," MT, July 19-25). It's the kind of dialogue that already has an audience around the world, where this sonic art treasure has such respect it is referred to simply as "Detroit;" and it needs to be talked about in this city, where it has been largely taken for granted or ignored. More than a million people drawn to Hart Plaza validated its global weight, influence and power.

What happened this past Memorial Day weekend was more than just a three-day party. It was about kids (and adults) of every description brought together by energies manufactured in Detroit. It's also vitally important, like organizer Tim Price says, to ensure its future remains in Detroit. That's because the DEMF was also about ownership: an elegant, straight-up declaration that this music, and the only city that could have produced it in this form, is ours.

History is being made by creative young men and women, reconstructing a true sense of community in Detroit. Now it must be nurtured. —Walter Wasacz, [email protected], Hamtramck

Quit clowning

I am confused why you and all other local newspapers talk about ICP ("Down with the Clowns," MT, July 26-Aug 1) in the same breath as Kid Rock and Eminem — forgetting the obvious (record sales). ICP is a joke, while Kid Rock and Eminem both bring something fresh and new to the table. The only thing ICP has is its marketing strategy, which is an image it’s developed (while claiming it’s the only one who didn't sell out). It’s just like every other band with a business plan, etc. Amazingly there marketing has allowed ICP to survive despite an obvious lack of talent; this is all an attempt to cultivate an image as outcasts. Yet Metro Times talks about ICP in glowing terms. The band constantly overblows its success and the press never calls them on it. ICP is from Novi yet the press doesn't talk how on Great Milenko all it talks about is southwest Detroit. Just because Kid Rock and Eminem are too good to be local anymore doesn't mean they deserve to get lumped in the same category as these dipshits. —Chris Knecht,

Chicago tribute

Tell Keith Owens that he did a nice job

on his Detroit blues scene article ("Hastings Street breakdown," MT, July 26-Aug.1). —Steve Cushing, Chicago, Ill.