Blue over Nov. 2
In his column, “What does it all mean?” (Metro Times, Nov. 10), Jack Lessenberry says: “The night will come, not very long from now, when the map will be more blue.” Don’t bet on it, Jack. You’re probably well aware of all the irregularities in the Ohio and Florida vote tallies, and the fact that Diebold, which provided the machinery, promised to deliver those states to Bush. If these results were rigged, and they get away with it, it’s official: We are living in a fascist state. Unthinkable? Would anyone have boarded Hitler’s trains if the destination were not “unthinkable”? Anyone who knows history can see many of the ingredients of the recipe for “the unthinkable” are already in the pot.
Yes, there will be midterm elections in two years. But however bad things may be, it is not certain that the opposition will win then … or even can.
Wake up, sensible Americans, before it’s too late, if it’s not already too late. Log on to blackboxvoting.com and do whatever you can to ensure the decisive Florida and Ohio votes are audited and thoroughly investigated. Don’t wait for our own “Night of the broken glass.” — Frank Bartlo, Detroit
End of world as we know it
Obviously Jack Lessenberry wrote his column before all the facts came out (no rigged machines?). Kerry would have won Ohio and probably even Florida — there is now talk about Nevada. Everywhere that used Diebold machines went strangely to Bush — even when a county was 70 percent Democratic, somehow 80 percent voted for Bush. Too many blacks, Jews, Hispanics, gays, young people, unions were against Bush. Yes. America died Nov. 2, 2004. — Al and Diana Fiorini, Warren
And I feel fine
Jack Lessenberry has my sincere condolences over the Kerry defeat. However, I wish he would stop his ad hominem attacks on the president — “swaggering pious simpleton.” Lessenberry sounds like Don Imus without the cowboy hat.
The president has a degree in history from Yale, an MBA from Harvard, knows his way around a jet cockpit, has governed Texas, run for the White House twice and won, and has made the terrorists wet themselves.
Get back, Jack; let’s roll, Mr. President. — Martin Yanosek, St. Clair Shores
What were they thinking?
I feel you, Jack Lessenberry. I have been in mourning for this country and my city (Detroit). I feel like the public is grossly ill-informed and/or downright ignorant. When I discussed the election and the proposals with people, I was horrified to learn that folks didn’t have a clue about the presidential candidates nor the proposals. People were lacking so much information. I am upset with myself for not gathering people together to discuss the issues beforehand.
For next time, let’s agree to have more group discussions about the politics and laws that affect us locally and nationally. You have a forum to do this and so do I. We must give people information. Information!
I got into an argument with a friend because she voted Republican. Her reasons: 1. Bush is a Christian and she didn’t know what Kerry was; 2. she doesn’t believe in abortion and thought Kerry did; and 3. her bishop told her to.
Yes, Jack, the bills are due. All the cards are stacked in the Republicans’ favor. This is the time for Republicans to show the world what it means to be governed and influenced by a Republican America. Now we all will see, in big bright vibrant red colors, what it means to live, love, work and worship in a country whose Congress, Senate and president are Republican. Like Sept. 11, will they seize the moment and do something meaningful or will they catastrophically change the way Americans live forever?
The thought of the future has never brought me more sadness than it does now. —Leslie Love, Detroit
Berlin? That’s nuts
Re: “Losing Your Mind In Berlin” (Metro Times, Nov. 10), What, another article about a Detroit musician/artist who fled Detroit to make it elsewhere? This is, what, the third time this year the Metro Times had a cover story about some creative person leaving? I pick up the paper to read about the fascinating art or music on the cover only to find out they are already gone. How about some articles about people who came here to try their luck? Aren’t there any Europeans in town trying to break into the Detroit electronic music scene? How about an article about a musician like Liz Larin who came back to Detroit from Los Angeles to do it here? Or an article about Audra Kubat, if and when she returns six to 18 months from now? Just seems a little sad that the only way to get a cover in Detroit is to leave it. — Allen Salyer, Troy
Timely AIDS reminder
Your article on HIV and bareback parties (“Playing it unsafe,” Metro Times, Nov. 10) was a timely reminder that AIDS is a crisis that continues to grow and evolve. While advances have been made in preventing the disease in some groups, others have become more vulnerable, especially young people, women and minorities. Nearly 1,000 Michigan residents are infected each year.
AIDS is now the leading killer of African-American women ages 25 to 44. It’s also the third leading killer of all women in that group because infection rates for women are now greater than for men. And half of all new infections now occur in people under age 25. As your story highlighted, even in the gay male population the battle is far from won.
These challenges are compounded by increased funding going overseas and the perception that the AIDS crisis here has subsided. The answer lies in a renewed commitment to fight AIDS with the same energy that resulted in the progress we’ve made so far.
—Stacey Barbas, interim director of the Michigan AIDS Fund, Southfield, [email protected]
Hand over the Keyes
Detroit City, better get you some Alan Keyes (“Keyes to the City,” Metro Times, Nov. 3). Please! Baby, baby, please! Take Alan Keyes before he leaves Chicago and comes back to Maryland. Please, take Alan Keyes … —Michael Fore, Forestville, Md.
Don’t beat up on Beatty
Re: “Hiding the sausage at city hall” (Metro Times, Oct. 20), Ric Bohy might remember me from the Young administration; I was a member of his staff. I’m writing to express my surprise and disappointment that he has joined the yowling lynch mob that seems bent on destroying Christine Beatty and her family. Ms. Beatty is a first-class young woman, intelligent, competent and hard working. I am surprised because although Mr. Bohy was properly adversarial, I felt that he took his shots honestly and appropriately. However hard I try, I cannot for the life of me see the relevance of his rather flippant but hurtful remark written in his recent column. Does he really believe that his column would have suffered in substance or clarity had he not written, “That’s even more than the mayor’s favorite mortgagee, chief of staff Christine ‘Speedo’ Beatty, is paid by taxpayers in a year.” Frankly, Ric, were I a close or relative associate of Ms. Beatty I would be seriously tempted to call you and some of your media cohorts out. As far as I’m concerned, it is outrageous abuse of a defenseless black woman, which has been all too commonplace in American society. —Ronald Hewitt, Detroit
Motor City home companion
I am compelled to send this note in response to the two weeks of “unruly” commentary I’ve been reading in the Metro Times regarding WDET-FM (“Making airwaves,” Oct. 20, and “Letters,” Oct. 27). Let me be clear: WDET is the best radio station in the region. Period. Clearly, WDET is one of the best in the country. Station Manager Caryn Mathes and her crew do a fantastic job, day in, day out. Yes, the changes enacted by WDET these past two months are different than what listeners have been accustomed to hearing. Yet, these changes have not affected the plethora of fantastic music we hear, the great news we continue to receive, and the station’s commitment to community uplift and positive outreach. I became a listener in middle school 25 years ago and proudly continue to listen and support today. Betrayal? Sellout? Hardly! Those who are complaining did not shout when public-school supported and cool WDTR disappeared or protest at the boring and repetitious commercial radio that tramples the airwaves. An entity like WDET cannot wilt to fair-weather commentary. WDET makes its case not just during pledge time, but every single day. Keep your head up, WDET! —Terrence German, Detroit
Errata: In last week’s Night & Day calendar (Metro Times, Nov. 10), the band P.A. was misidentified as Practice Amp. P.A. is a three-piece combo featuring Chris McInnis, Courtney Sheedy and Brandon Whiteis, while Practice Amp is a Eugene Strobe production.
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