Bill James elects Democrats
The well written article by Tara Servatius, "Clobbered" (Nov. 17) gave due credit to groups like ACORN , ACT and the various elements of the Democratic Party that produced the historic Democratic sweep of the Mecklenburg County Commission. However, Tara missed crediting the one special person that more than likely provided the Democrats with that final push to victory! District Six Commissioner Bill James! I often wondered when old Bill would finally go one step too far and cause his fellow Republicans anguish at the polls. Commissioner James so thoroughly demagogued and race baited while trying to eliminate the Sunday Early Voting option that he sent Commissioner Dan Ramirez flip-flopping around in a panic until he finally reversed his opposition to the Sunday Vote at the last moment! Then prima donna Commissioner Ruth Samuelson decided to play "tough guy" and stand with Bill James on banning Sunday Voting and suddenly she appeared to be Bill's Little Helper in the whole ugly process! Ruth Samuelson finally showed her true colors and thousands of voters decided to vote against Ruth to defeat Bill. Hallelujah !
-- Dan McCorkle, Charlotte
It's Not Ok
Regarding Tara Flanagan's review of Shark Quest's Gods & Devils CD ("Sit & Spin," Nov. 17): The selections on the new album are actually reworkings of some songs that were used in a documentary film about animator Bruce Bickford. They are not, as she writes,"a collection of songs that have been used on indie animator Bruce Bickford's soundtracks." Also, regarding Bickford, she writes "it's OK...nobody else knows who he is except for the people who work with him." Actually, a lot of people know who Bickford is. Some people who know a few things about film and/or animation history know who he is.
Frank Zappa knew who he was. That's why he and Bickford collaborated on a number of films in the 70s. The many clients who hired Bickford to produce animated spots for them know who he is (MTV for one), and now a couple of thousand more people who have seen the fine documentary about him (Monster Road) know who he is.
Also, had Ms.Flanagan taken a minute or two to research one of the best animators in the world, she would have found out that Mr. Bickford works alone, as in by himself, as in just him, as in with no one else; thereby making her, "it's OK...nobody else knows who he is except for the people who work with him" line appear somewhat uninformed.
I urge the editors at Creative Loafing in future editions of the paper, to use even a small amount of quality control when it comes to their contributors' research (or lack thereof).
And to Ms. Flanagan I suggest that in her future writings she should not assume that the entire world is as culturally sheltered as she.
-- Curtis Gaston, Greensboro, NC
Tara E. Flanagan responds:
Mr. Gaston: Actually, the Shark Quest album in question is comprised of songs both on your beloved Monster Road documentary as well as songs used by Bruce Bickford on one of his "BY HIMSELF...JUST HIM...NO ONE ELSE" works (at least according to the All Music Guide). While I'm sure it's gratifying to prove how much more clever and interesting you are than the general public, the review was of Shark Quest's music, and as such was not designed for charter members of Bickford's fan club. Perhaps you should save your arguments for one of your Animation chat rooms. I stand by the fact that the majority of people neither know nor care who Bruce Bickford is, but I am concerned that an off-hand joke would get someone's animated shorts in a wad.
CL A Shining Light
I want you all at Creative Loafing to know that if it wasn't for you being here in this city and shining the light as you do in all the dark corners of this shallow town that I'd have lost my mind ages ago. I'm unfortunately stuck here at least for a while longer, but it is a comfort to know that somebody here is very aware of the mindlessness that runs this town as the masses continue to congratulate themselves on a fifth rate job well done. I've lived all over the world in all kinds of situations. At its core Charlotte is a sad place. The saddest part is that it could be very different.-- Name withheld by request