Bridging the gap
Thank you very much for your continuing efforts to educate all on the Matty saga (it would make a good movie).
I have followed you throughout and am impressed by your insight into the whole situation.
I live in Olde Sandwich Towne in Windsor, two blocks from the Ambassador Bridge, and have kept in touch with all aspects of the need for more capacity on the border.
Being part of the Canadian Consultation Group and a friendly observer at all the DRIC meetings, I feel quite comfortable that I understand all the issues.
I so enjoy your sense of humor and it makes me smile to see how eloquently you state the facts.
Keep up the good work! —Mary Ann Cuderman, Windsor, Ontario
Ernie strikes out
Regarding Jack Lessenberry's column "Ernie's real legacy" (May 12), I once enjoyed Ernie Harwell's broadcasts as much as anyone, especially during the Tigers' magical 1968 season. But there's a part of his legacy not receiving any media coverage that shouldn't be forgotten by the working people of this area. In 1991, Harwell was dismissed by Tiger management, which wanted "younger voices" on the air. An outpouring of support from the community ensued; lots of people decried the shabby treatment he had received. A year later he was rehired. Three years later, workers at the Detroit News and Free Press went out on strike; the great and wonderful Ernie crossed their picket line to write a column for the "scab papers" (as did the lovable Mitch Albom). Thus, when given a chance to return the favor to working people, he struck out, which is exactly what I would have expected had I known that he "almost always voted Republican."
Like I said, I had come to appreciate his broadcasting style and his knowledge of baseball history, but I could never take anything that he said seriously after his betrayal of folks who sure could have used someone of his stature standing up for their right to strike. Yeah, this sorry episode has been largely forgotten in the rush to canonize the man, but I make it a point to remember such things. —Robert F. Allen, Redford
Fair ball
I was waiting for a member of the pack-minded Detroit media to speak some departing words on the thoroughly decent Ernie Harwell that didn't make him out to be some sort of deity. Jack Lessenberry's remarks came close enough ("Ernie's real legacy," May 12). An all-around fine column. —Todd Steven Kindred, Livonia
Cop watchers
In response to Larry Gabriel's column on the killing of Officer Huff and comments by Ron Scott ("A war of words," May 12): First of all, no one knows if Jason Gibson is even guilty in this shooting. Both the columnist and Scott seem to presume that is the case. However, a scenario that has Officer Huff walking in the front door as officers were securing the premises is hard to believe. Why would a seasoned officer do that if shots had been reported from that location?
The media had a field day convicting Gibson before he was even charged, screaming about his allegedly violent anti-cop record. Facts went out the window. Gibson has been convicted of fleeing and eluding cops twice — that's all. He has been convicted of other weapons and drugs charges, but not charges of cop assault, according to Michigan State Police and court records. There are also questions of whether "friendly fire" was involved. Gibson is not charged with "assault with intent to murder" Huff's partner, who was nonetheless shot.
Secondly, I am sorry to hear that Scott and his organization, which split off from the original coalition, offered to go find any other perpetrators. Scott has been overly friendly with the police for a long time, and apparently now wants to become one. That was not the purpose of the original Coalition Against Police Brutality. —Theresa Ellis, Detroit
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