More on halftime show
Re: Super Sluts (Metro Times, Feb. 4). I’m glad to see someone finally pull the rug out from under MTV. I feel the same way and believe that the degeneration of decorum a la MTV is something that needs to be exposed, especially when they don’t even ’fess up to their lame stab at sexual excitement. You’re correct, the Super Bowl is a family event steeped in the universal enjoyment of sports, not crass product appeal. —Vassilis Jacobs, Grosse Pointe Park, [email protected]
Struck dumb
Didn’t the elections of Arnold Schwarzenegger and George W. Bush provide ample warning that the dumbing down of our society has become quite dangerous? Haven’t you been reading your Orwell and Huxley? In your Jan. 21 issue, two of your movie reviews disturbed me. First, you gave Torque — a movie about good-looking people driving things around — three stars, while happily encouraging your audience to "stare, slack-jawed and brainless." Then you gave The Fog of War, a movie by an important director about a vitally important man, three and a half stars while unenthusiastically saying, "it isn’t boring." I want to encourage you to truly be an alternative paper and buck this trend of anti-intellectualism even if it makes you "uncool." In Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, the government uses sports and entertainment to keep society distracted and unthinking while the government does what it pleases. This is what’s happening, and in this instance you are its tool. —Christopher Schneider, Hamtramck, [email protected]
Just following orders?
In his article, "The Fog of Terror (Metro Times, Jan. 28), Jack Lessenberry describes Robert McNamara defending his sending of troops to Vietnam because "the president wanted me to do this."
That may be a legal excuse, but it is not a moral one. In law, the old doctrine of respondeat superior holds an employer (e.g., the president) responsible for many of the wrongs committed by his employees. Morally, some of us would hold that there is a reciprocal onus on free employees to refuse to perform the immoral acts of an employer. Perhaps someone trained in Latin can tell us if respondeat servitor is the correct phrase.
Without the willing hands of willing employees, the leaders of the free world would be unable to commit works of evil.
It is probably wrong to legally punish people who commit immoral but lawful acts. The earthly punishment for moral wrongs is social scorn. Let Mr. McNamara know what you think.
Before he gets a second chance, a wrongdoer must admit his wrong, repent, and make amends to those harmed. —Connie Lamka, Detroit
Errata
A picture accompanying the quiz-article Americana in black (Metro Times, Feb. 11) was misidentified. The picture to the left depicts anti-lynching activist and journalist Ida B. Wells, not hair-product millionaire Madam C.J. Walker. Also, Method Man’s originally scheduled Feb. 12 performance (Metro Times listings) has been changed to Friday, March 19. The show will be held at St. Andrew’s Hall (431 E. Congress, Detroit). Previously purchased tickets for the Feb. 12 show will be honored.
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