Which Is Biggest Waste?
You selected Mayor Pat McCrory as the Biggest Waste Of Tax Money, based on the salary and perks he receives from Charlotte (“Best of Charlotte,” August 4). You cite the mass transit tax, for which you give credit to McCrory.
Since Tara Servatius (your own reporter), has thoroughly exposed the transit plans for Charlotte are an expensive boondoggle, there are many citizens who consider the $6 billion-plus boondoggle as the Biggest Waste Of Tax Money! As McCrory has been head cheerleader for this travesty of fleecing the taxpayers of Charlotte, please give credit where credit is due! This will fail to perform, as in other cities across the US, and will become McCrory’s legacy.
— Suzanne Stallings, Charlotte
Structured Sentencing Failed
Regarding Tara Servatius’ article “Head ’em Up, Move ’em Out” (Aug. 4): If logic were to apply, wouldn’t we follow O.J. Simpson around 24/7? After all, he killed once, he will probably kill again, right? Well, probably not.
I understand Tara’s concern about some bad ones getting out but to stand up for structured sentencing just about erases any credibility she’s ever procured. Structured sentencing has been maligned as an abysmal failure on both state and federal level since its inception.
— Bill Ware, Mooresville
Lucas The Lighthouse Keeper
I read Scott Lucas’s critique of Phillip Mullen’s exhibit at Elder Art Gallery (“White Out,” August 4) after already seeing the exhibit. Boy, did I ever execute those two activities in the wrong order!
Lucas has such gut level sense and multi-layered insight in his reviews that he makes me want to fold the paper under my arm and march right back to the exhibit so that I can really see what the artist intended.
As an art critic, he’s the real “lighthouse keeper.”
— Jill Walker, Charlotte
Read It and Weep, Bushies
I was glad to see that James Signorile (“So There!”, Aug. 4) responded to my letter of July 28 (“Bush Supporters Delusional”). Unfortunately, he only continues to offer proof of his and other Bush supporters’ stubborn delusions when it comes to W’s excuses for invading Iraq.
Signorile says that 9/11 Commission chairman Thomas Kean said (supposedly somewhere since it’s not in the Commission’s report), “There was no question in our minds that there was a relationship between Iraq and al Qaeda.” Indeed, the Commission’s report notes that talks were held at various times through the years between al Qaeda and Iraqi representatives, even though the two sides disliked each other and their only commonality was a hatred of the US. However, the report is also crystal clear in its conclusions and I quote directly from that report:
“We have seen no evidence that these or the earlier contacts ever developed into a collaborative operational relationship. Nor have we seen evidence indicating that Iraq cooperated with al Qaeda in developing or carrying out any attacks against the United States.” Get that, Bush supporters? There was NO collaborative operational relationship — and this is from a unanimous report supported by all the Republicans on the commission. How much clearer does this have to be? And how many American boys have to die before W’s armchair warrior supporters will finally admit they were duped?
— Larry Oliver, Fort Mill
KISS Off, Schacht
The reason that John Schacht liked KISS when he was a teenager but now disdains them (“Music Menu,” July 28) has nothing to do with his “how stoned was I?” excuse, but lies in the fact that his tired “indie rock rules” manifesto has diluted his ability to truly think independently while at the same time has distorted his definition of art and/or rock and roll.
Because of this, he feels the need to cater to some of his, God help me for using this word, “hipster” readers by denouncing KISS, which, after 30 years, is obviously a futile and well worn music “critic” cliche. Ironically, a number of the contemporary indie rock bands that Mr. Schacht champions wouldn’t be around if not for the direct or indirect influence of KISS back in the day.
In my CD collection, KISS occupies the space between Joy Division and Lambchop. Although my musical taste has broadened over the years, one thing hasn’t, and that’s the fact that when I come home after an evening of spirited overindulgence, the CD I’ll be cranking is KISS Alive, not Wilco, and, unlike Mr. Schacht, I ain’t scared to admit it.
— Curtis Gaston, Charlotte
New Songs Coming Right Up
Thanks to Creative Loafing critics for picking me as best local female vocalist! And for putting out such a great Best of Charlotte issue — and for throwing a party extravaganza. Ron Brendle, my compatriot and friend, once again was picked as best jazz artist. Kudos, Ron, and expect more ribbing at our next show about how everybody loves your bottom end!
Hope to see you all at our next performance. We’ll have lots of new songs and surprises.
— Deanna Lynn, Charlotte
This article appears in Aug 11-17, 2004.
