Letters 

I read with fascination your "The List Issue" (Mar. 12) that included "Lynn Wheeler's Private To Do list" by John Grooms. My, my John -- you have spent a lot of ink over the years making fun of me, so much so that I am beginning to conclude that you are obsessed with me. Is this a case of unrequited love? Have I not paid enough attention to you?

I'm single now. How about you and I meet for wine and dinner, so I can kiss your butt and promise you the moon? At that time I can share some of my makeup with you as well.

-- Lynn Wheeler, Charlotte

A Real American Heroine

Thank you having the courage to print a memorial to a real American heroine, Rachel Corrie ("Rachel Corrie's Courage" by Kara Spencer, Mar. 26). Try as the mass media might, Rachel and what she stands for should not be buried by the repetitive, yellow press accounts of our war in Iraq with its bloated coverage of military briefings, body counts, retired military commentators and televised prisoners of war.

Rachel Corrie was a crusader for the oppressed and the dispossessed, yet attempted change through nonviolence in an unjust, cruel and violent part of the world. I too have a personal connection with Rachel. My son was a close friend of hers. He grew up in Charlotte, went to Evergreen College in Olympia for a year, then moved to Seattle. He and his friends, all of whom knew Rachel, were heartbroken to say the least.

Israel, by murdering another innocent, you just lost another supporter. How can anyone support your cause when you regularly murder children and now our children? Is the bulldozer driver -- the one who ran over Rachel -- being investigated? Arrested? Will Israel receive more than a slap on the wrist for this vicious act? Of course not. And for this you should be ashamed. But we shouldn't be too smug here in America, either. The bulldozer that ran over Rachel -- more than once -- was made in the USA.

-- Lew Herman, Charlotte

Gates Of Hell Have Opened

Thank you so much for the article "No Monopoly on Patriotism" (by John Sugg, Mar. 26). As a veteran of Desert Storm, a Christian and a virulent protester of this war, I couldn't agree more. I found it very interesting that the spitting on the soldiers story never occurred. It's always been at the forefront of my mind to first and foremost support the soldiers while protesting this war. After all, I have several friends in Iraq now. Unfortunately, I have this strangely apocalyptic feeling we have just opened the gates of hell in worldwide resentment toward the United States. I worry most about the upcoming generation, and my own two sons, ages 2 years and 3 months. May God bless us all.

-- Myron Hipps, Belmont

Bush Not The Chosen One

Some of your readers are unclear on the source of President George W. Bush's authority ("Anti-Bush Ad Offensive," Letters, Mar.19). President Bush is not a heart-strong moral leader chosen by Christ Jesus to lead Americans to victory over evil. He is a politician, elected (well, sort of) to govern the US along with Congress under the legal guidance of the Supreme Court. As such, President Bush derives his authority from the US Constitution, not The Lord Above. Bush can claim to pray all he wants, but he does not have a divine mandate to rule. Because he is a human politician, he must follow rules and accept the consequences of his actions.

Bush has cut the taxes of the wealthiest in this country while starting a war of questionable legality. The nebulous war on terrorism has been used as a justification for severely constricting domestic civil rights. And the invasion of Iraq means the Administration is insisting that all political whims of President Bush must be unflinchingly obeyed, in the interests of national security. Yet, many in our country seem willing to give the President massive leeway both domestically and overseas. This is wrong. The question is, when will George W. Bush learn that he is accountable for all of the actions he's taken? When will he grow up?

-- Michael A. Clark, Charlotte

Forgiveness Begins Here

Regarding the "Anti-Bush Ad Offensive" letter: Now that was funny. That was a joke, right? If not, please forgive him, for he knows not what he does.

Peace and long life.

-- Bobby Blue, Charlotte

Mis-reading The Bible

I was disappointed by the letter from the supposed Christian attacking a "Jesus vs. Bush" ad. In one paragraph, the writer expresses pride that Bush is a Christian who prays for guidance, and in the next, the writer asserts that rich people deserve a break.

Jesus denounced worldly wealth many times, and commanded others to do the same. The Bible contains verses saying explicitly that rich people will have a hard time reaching heaven, and that Christ calls his followers to give their own possessions and money to those in need.

A Christian who ignores this clear message is editing the Bible. To claim that only "liberals" support taxation (which the writer equates to welfare -- a system set up to help the exact people Christ instructed us to help) and to imply that this should be an unpopular idea in the "Bible Belt" is an outright contradiction.

Would the writer prefer that people without jobs beg in the streets or get money by illegal means? Telling the millions of people out of work to "get a job" is not an intelligent solution, nor does it show a Christian attitude. Helping them through their struggles would show the world what Christianity is supposed to be. Anonymous Christian writer, you have the right to express your opinions, but apparently you're reading the Bible differently than the rest of us. Try holding it right-side-up.

-- Jennifer G., Rock Hill, SC

True Ignorance Is Showing

Regarding "Anti-Bush Ad Offensive": it was very wise for this person to remain anonymous. Otherwise, we would have actually known by name a person who went way beyond the call of duty to show their ignorance. It never ceases to amaze me how someone can make an attempt to defend Christianity and, without losing a step, fail miserably by showing their true colors. If the way this individual displays his dislike and disgust for others' misfortunes and lifestyles is a true comparison to Christian love, then I would avoid your local church at all costs. Instead of using the term "idiot" so freely in future responses, I would like to suggest something to the writer: buy yourself a mirror and take a long look and save yourself a lot of time and effort, and save whatever humility you have left, while realizing what the true meaning of "idiot" actually is.

-- Terence Heglar, Rockwell, NC

Great Research And Reporting

In reference to "The Fix Is In" (Citizen Servatius, Mar. 19), Tara Servatius has the talent to research and report the whole story. Thank you for the facts, while reporting the angle of the neighbors. For years, Charlotte has dealt with the wheeler/dealer, slick organizers who sell their latest wants.

Neighbors gather to volunteer for research, analyze, and dissect the issues and often are misled to miss the points which allow the change in public policy to occur.

Organizers who work to make these projects happen want neighborhood coalitions to fight only the fire at hand and not address the issue that the public policy which was set by public process is being violated.

We need your reporting in the neighborhood advocacy area. Thank you, Creative Loafing for providing a platform for this article.

-- L. Johnson, Charlotte

Muskrat Love Redux

I think you will find that Texas singer-songwriter Willis Alan Ramsey is to blame for writing the song "Muskrat Love" ("20 Worst Popular Songs of the 60s & 70s," Mar. 12). The 1970s group "America" merely performed it. Interestingly, Lyle Lovett cites Willis Alan Ramsey as being among his primary influences. But then again, Lyle married Julia Roberts. So there's that.

-- Hope Swann, Charlotte

Editor's Reply:

I stand corrected. Ms. Swann is right about the sordid origins of one of the stupidest songs of all time. America released the song in 1973, reaching Number 67 on the Billboard charts. In 1976, Captain & Tennille had a Number 4 hit with a remake of the song.

A Proud and Righteous Nation

Liberal writers, protestors and politicians pretend to be pleading for the lives of innocents, asserting that "hundreds of thousands" will die at the hands of American troops ("At The Twilight's Last Gleaming," Mar. 5). As they scream and shout, Iraqis who've lived under Saddam's terror speak, with first-hand knowledge, of the tortures and horrors, assuring us that the threats are real, the dangers not an illusion.

Now, as our troops are on the battlefield, protestors block traffic and divert local security resources, possibly creating opportunity for terrorist cells among us. This borders upon treason and it is my hope that local DAs will seek felony charges against those arrested.

We are no longer content to be a society of victims and a strong President realizes that September 11 forever changed our policy towards potential aggressors.

Peace comes through strength and there is a time for peace, and war. We are a proud and righteous nation and I am deeply proud of our President and our armed forces. I am in the majority and I am an American first. Hillary and the frustrated and ignorant Clinton era liberals can have their Village. It takes a proud people and a just people to defend Democracy and Freedom. We the People, in this USA, are such a people. Many who now attack our President and his policies never fought for a damn thing, and a majority of them would wet their knickers if ever asked to defend our freedoms on the field of battle.

-- Kelly Boatright, Charlotte