Be Realistic
To The Editors:
Re: “Pop Goes The Cherry” (by Cintra Wilson, January 30), all that the media
which are targeted at teenage and pre-teen girls feature are messages about
looks and music. This gives these girls the false message that somehow they,
too, can be a teenage sex symbol like Britney Spears. Yet the typical teenage
girl has about as much likelihood of being the next Britney Spears as I do of
being the next Michael Jordan.
If these teen mags want to do something useful for these girls, why don’t
they focus their message on realistic goals, such as being teachers, health
care workers, entrepreneurs, lawyers, etc. instead of sex symbols? Yeah, I know,
it’s not as glamorous as being in the limelight like a pop star. However, it’s
a more realistic goal, and one that will be the basis for a career that will
last a lifetime, rather than simply being an overnight sensation today,and the
subject of trivia challenges tomorrow.
Stephen V. Gilmore
Charlotte
Cover Is Sick
To The Editors:
The “Pop Goes the Cherry” cover of Creative Loafing’s January 30 issue, complete
with the suggestive image of a pierced red cherry, is the most tasteless cover
I’ve ever seen on a newspaper, and belongs wrapped and behind the store counter
with the porn. Pushing the envelope of sexual suggestiveness is one thing, but
doing so by conjuring images of teenaged girls losing their virginity is just
plain sick. Yes, I have two daughters and might be more sensitive than some
to the cover. But I’d be just as repulsed if I had no children. Are you trying
to be provocative, pornographic or pedophilic?
John Deem
Huntersville
Give Me Real Sports Teams
To The Editors:
Re: “Hotbed of Apathy” by Susan Shackelford (CL, January 23), I’m ashamed.
Shackelford mentions the stinking Hornets, Panthers, and Sting, but where is
there any mention of Charlotte’s true “best sports value” teams — the
Charlotte Checkers minor league hockey team and the Charlotte Knights, a triple-A
baseball team? These two teams personify what sports should be all about —
paying your dues, playing hard, entertaining your fans, and (usually) being
paid for performance, not because the athlete thinks that’s what he should be
paid! The fan apathy is not an isolated problem in Charlotte. People everywhere
are sick and tired of paying $30-50 per ticket, $5 to park, $20 for a hotdog
and soft drink, and $70 for a replica jersey, just to see grown men play a game
that they don’t care about. We should not be held ransom by any pro sports
team that is threatening to leave, just because the city and its residents will
not fork over $100 million for a new arena, when they can’t even fill the one
they have. Here’s a solution: (1) Pay players strictly on performance + a “small”
base salary, say 50k a year. If a Jamal Mashburn averages 25 points a game for
the year, give him 200K. If he pulls an abdominal muscle and sits out most of
the year, he doesn’t make as much money. (2) Drop ticket prices to an acceptable
level for the majority of us, say $10 for courtside, $5 for lower level, and
$2 for the upper “nose bleed” seats and let scalpers sort out the rest. Then,
a family of four can afford to go to a Hornets game. Don’t let the Hornets hold
us for ransom, lower the athletes’ salaries, stop charging so much for tickets,
and the fans will return. . .period. Finally, give the Checkers and the Knights
the proper credit and recognition they deserve.
Alex Dunn
Charlotte
Up The Creek
To The Editors:
Thanks for the article about the Sugar Creek Greenway project (“The Little
Creek That Could” by Sam Boykin, January 16). By and far, it was the most informative
and accurate article that has appeared to date. Thanks again for the great article.
Thomas E. Norman
President, Norcom Properties
Charlotte
CL Critic Down
To The Editors:
I read Matt Brunson’s review of the movie Black Hawk Down (“Under Fire,”
January 23). I’m sorry it didn’t pass his muster, but this is my old unit and
it passed mine. For those who understand, we don’t need much in the way of understanding
the political undertones, as soldiers execute their mission from a tactical
viewpoint. This is not about who was cast, or cinematic creativity. Obviously,
Brunson doesn’t get it.
Ray Tinkler
Charlotte
Uncoordinated Money
To The Editors:
Great article on the challenges of small business and entrepreneurs in Charlotte!
(“Somebody Stop Him” by Tara Servatius, January 30). It is not always easy,
but you do have one incorrect fact. Angel money or traditional capital is available
in NC and Charlotte in the $500K to $3MM range. In fact, that is the standard
for a well-proven plan or idea. So, while I agree it is tough, sources are available,
but the competition for it is very high and they (angel or VC) do few deals.
I support Servatius’ argument that the network or economic resources for small
business development is not well coordinated between the various sectors (local
and state government, financial centers, and trade organizations). They do exist,
but you need to have “tough” skin and be resilient with your networking and
pitch.
My question is, you’ve identified the problem or issue so what is your solution?
Raising the issue without suggestion or having a solution is a waste of time.
First rule of business! I truly hope this guy in your article does not leave…we
need leaders such as this in our community.
William J. Taylor
Huntersville
This article appears in Feb 9-15, 2002.
