I am neither liberal nor conservative, just an old in-betweener who closely follows politics. The recent article by Brian Morton is the biggest piece of crap I've ever seen in print . . . period (
Political Animal, Sept. 24). This guy needs to give up his day job and get a new one . . . as an attack dog. He could make James Carville blush. This is not a defense of Bush nor Cheney. I think both have played it less than straight, but Mr. Morton's "piece" is nothing more than poison pen and, as such, has no credibility. He needs a lesson in fair play.
George Smith
Anniston, Ala.
FU Update
I caught one minor inaccuracy in Brennen Jensen's valuable article "Free Thinking" concerning the return of the Baltimore Free University (Mobtown Beat, Sept. 24). Jensen reports that "all the classes for the fall semester will be held on the Hopkins campus." My Free University class, "Socialism: What It Is, What it Ain't, and What's It to You," will be held at the NAACP Baltimore City Branch headquarters (8 W. 26th St.) on Thursdays at 7 p.m., from Oct. 2 through Dec. 18.
To understand how capitalism and imperialism came to be is to begin to understand how we can replace it all with a system of justice, peace, and prosperity for all. I'm hoping that some of the many fine people I met during my recent mayoral campaign will phone me at (410) 728-8611 and attend.
A. Robert Kaufman
Baltimore
Walking the Color Line
It's amazing what some people will do for attention. I read the "Fallout" story in the Sept. 24 City Paper and found Sheena Smith's effort of boycotting The Baltimore Afro American newspaper to be the real "SAD" story (The Nose). Her trivial reason--the Afro's endorsement of Martin O'Malley--and her use of young children to picket the Afro's office, probably with signs and literature tied around their necks, was even more pathetic.
If her views and opinions of the current city government are so strong, why doesn't she picket City Hall? Or run for office? Why not submit a commentary or letter to the editor and express her sentiments, like I'm doing--perhaps she can see that these things do get read and printed.
For her to say that the "origin" of the Afro American is to "support African-Americans and highlight the issues that plague the African-American community" is for the most part true. This doesn't mean to simply choose black over white. I read the endorsement issue of the Afro weeks ago, and while I was surprised at the endorsement of Martin O'Malley, I found the paper's explanation and reasoning to be fair. I didn't see it as the Afro turning its back on the African-American community. In fact, I don't recall the newspaper's endorsement having any affect on my Sept. 9 vote.
If Ms. Smith really wants to be accurate in her protesting, she needs to take her picket force to the churches of the Clergy for Baltimore's Progress (a group of more than 25 of Baltimore's African-American ministers and clergymen) and the Vanguard Justice Society headquarters (an advocacy group for African-American and other minority officers in the Baltimore Police Department). Both groups endorsed Mayor O'Malley. Let's not forget the homes of a majority of the African-American voters of Baltimore City (the percentage of African-Americans who voted for O'Malley).
Damn, that's a lot of walking and protesting! She might want to leave the children at home.
A.C. Moore
Baltimore
The Bests Never Rest
You have movie critics who hate movies. Theater critics who hate theater. And an entire column about local bars written by a person who hates people who go to bars. Yet every once in a while, brilliance shines through the hipper-, smarter-, and smarter-than-thou exterior of this ironic, detached paper.
That's the patented "City Paper Put-down," where you throw all of your wry, sardonic wit into a searingly accurate observation. Often these moments of cruelty resonate with their absolute truth and humor.
As someone who has developed a taste for your pretentious lack of pretension, I appreciate these Smack-Downs as much as everyone else who isn't being mentioned personally. But I must protest that your recent Best Of Baltimore issue contained an inaccurate Smack-Down.
WTMD did not rip off WRNR's format ("Best 'College' Radio Station"). They ripped off Philadelphia station WXPN's format. This is clearly obvious to anyone who listens, or who read the City Paper article about it (Mobtown Beat, Jan. 15). And, for the record, WRNR's ever-shifting format still leans more toward the roots rock than AAA, despite an alarming rise in Dave Matthews tracks.
I mention this, not because it's at all important, but only so that I can say, on behalf of everyone who you've ever skewered on your Sword of Righteous Detachment: busted.
Brad Rogers
Baltimore
P.S. Tastes Like Chicken still sucks.
Editor Lee Gardner responds: That should be "Taste Like Chicken still sucks."
As someone who watches Fox 45 News because it comes on at 10 p.m. , I was startled to read your selection for "Best Local TV Personality": Mark Hyman. I would have to assume Russ Smith made this selection. Hyman's "The Point" commentaries are retrograde verbiage and classic indications of what is wrong with television news.
In fact, "The Point" is utterly pointless, as Hyman never goes after the powerful in his pompous pronunciations. Instead, he skewers the likes of Michael Moore for his anti-war speech at the Academy Awards. Why not take on the Bush administration for its lies in promoting an invasion of Iraq?
The best TV personality would ideally be someone taking on the powerbrokers, the unscrupulous, and those responsible for the economic mess in Baltimore and Maryland and across the country. A sincere commentator would blast a U.S. foreign policy that promotes empire. This personality would also point out that Afghanistan and Iraq are black holes for U.S. tax dollars and quagmires for those unfortunate souls on the front lines.
I am not aware of a local TV personality willing to take on the powerful in a serious, consistent fashion. I trust City Paper will let us know in the future if there is someone out there challenging the elite and criticizing the status quo.
Max Obuszewski
Baltimore
Lee Gardner responds: With all due respect, did you read the blurb?
I want to thank City Paper for the wonderful category "Best-Kept Secret For Art Lovers," awarded to the Rosenberg Gallery at Goucher College, though I need to correct you on crediting me for its success. The exhibits you mentioned from last season were actually the brainchild of Laura Burns, the previous gallery director. Although Laura stepped down from the position last July 2002, the exhibitions slated for the year 2002-2003 were the result of her excellent curatorial work. During the transition between gallery directors, Laura remained committed to the gallery program and was invaluable to me in my training as director of exhibitions. She is presently teaching at Goucher full-time, pursuing other curatorial opportunities, and developing a new body of work.
Pamela Thompson
Director of exhibitions, Rosenberg Gallery
Towson
A response to the recent City Paper Best of Baltimore awards: I offer "Best Incidence of How Much Do Polls or Statements in the-Press Relate to What Is Real?".
You list "Best Activist" as A. Robert Kaufman in the year that famed peace activist Father Philip Berrigan died!? I would have put it as: "Best Activist: Philip Berrigan, Rest in Peace." But I know it isn't the same thing as grading a restaurant.
Bob K has a lot of great things to say (and Phil Berrigan was a leftist, as is Kaufman--make no mistake), but the real category should be "Best Reason Baltimoreans/Americans Do Not Become Leftist Activists." And the reason? Education, education, education!
Dave Eberhardt
Baltimore
Lee Gardner responds: Bob Kaufman was named "Best Activist" in our Best of Baltimore Readers' Poll, which means that the readers of City Paper elected him thus, not the CP staff.
Congratulations on your selection of the Parkway Theatre as Baltimore's "Best Old Building." You have validated the vision I have (and had several years ago) for the Parkway, as covered in your blurb.
Thankfully, the fat lady has not yet sung the swan song. There are a few of us who BELIEVE the Parkway will indeed become the crown jewel of the Station North Arts and Entertainment District. A sleeker Web site--www.parkwaytheatre.com--now presents the latest thinking about the Parkway's restoration, including the exciting news that a potential benefactor has offered up a fully restored and somewhat larger Wurlitzer theater pipe organ than the one that was removed from the Parkway in the 1960s. The future of the Parkway is looking brighter than it has in years. Hopefully the citizens of Baltimore will come to share your (and our) appreciation for this unique part of their past, and find their place in its restoration and future, however large of small that may be.
John Grant
Baltimore
I appreciate your selection and printing of the proposed Baltimore Regional Transit Plan as a "dream" ("Best Transportation Porn"). Unfortunately for loyal, proud transit riders like myself, there are systemic reasons why this deservedly touted plan will remain a dream.
I speak of the Bush administration, which has monkeyed with the startup ratio for transit projects in favor of building highways. The startup federal/state contributions to the building of highways is currently 80/20 percent as opposed to 60/40 percent for transit. This double standard was first enacted by the Bush Administration in 2000-2001 and now has been proposed to dwindle to 50/50 percent. What this means is that no transit systems not dependent upon the almighty internal combustion engine will ever be built in this political climate. What politico would commit a form of suicide by outlaying 50 percent for transit projects as opposed to 20 percent to continue to pave the planet, particularly in this day and age of state budgets having to pinch pennies? In contrast, the temptation for manic spending of federal money on highways across what is left of Maryland's green and pleasant land must be considerable, and I see that Governor gEhridloch is already enthusiastically paving the planet any chance he gets.
Until the people responsible for this lunatic double standard are voted out of office and/or convicted of kickbacks, graft, extortions, etc. and imprisoned, I guarantee you the Baltimore Regional Transit Plan is toast.
Paul Schlitz Jr.
Baltimore
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