Arena Redux
I thought your assessment of the Bobcats’ problems were right on (“From Bandwagon to Hearse,” by John Grooms, Sept. 21). I don’t think, however, that Bobcat Johnson should be totally left off the hook. I experienced him to be kind of arrogant with regard to being a “success” here in Charlotte. He has no real ties here and made it plain from the beginning that he saw this as a business investment and that he was planning on making a profit the first year. He should have been spending his time building goodwill, giving freebies and discounts to anyone who would take them, and maybe even hiring the best and brightest and most well respected rather than just running his own affirmative action campaign. Of course, he can do that — it’s his company. I just think he showed a real lack of sensitivity to the folks that buy the seats and support the franchise.
— Bruce Shafer, Charlotte
I enjoyed reading your article on the City Council and new arena. It seems a new arena was an easy choice (spending other people’s money) and more glamorous choice (hobnob with the rich and famous) than dealing with law enforcement and criminal prosecution and punishment which the city needs to address. It is unfortunate for the people of Charlotte that they have elected such poor leaders.
— Joe Colavita, Denver, NC
Me, Paranoid?
I appreciate the need to put a counter argument into a story to give it balance (“Street Fighting Man,” Urban Explorer by Sam Boykin, Sept. 21), but it would be nice if my critic had at least come by and witnessed a class before stating that we’re chronically focused on physical violence, we’re paranoid, and we’re mentally and physically exhausted due to our hyper-vigilance.
There is a HUGE difference between being paranoid and being prepared! Why does someone who allegedly holds a masters degree not recognize the difference? Being aware that violence exists in the world and learning how to cope with it is exactly the opposite of paranoia which would suggest some level of fear and/or delusion. We are not deluding ourselves that violence exists nor are we afraid of it.
I’ve been doing this stuff for over 34 years and I’m not physically or emotionally exhausted yet. As for my complex motor skills and cognitive processing, they’re doing just fine thanks.
Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell Mr Silver he really should find someone better than Grossman to cite. Grossman’s study has been largely debunked at this point (happy to send him the links) and warfare is a long way from being aware of one’s surroundings as you go through your day. If he’s familiar with Colonel Cooper’s Color Codes we operate in condition yellow on a daily basis which is very healthy. People in condition white are almost always chosen as victims and those in orange, red and black suffer stress and burnout.
My students are a long way from foot patrols in downtown Baghdad.
— Nick Hughes CPP, President and Chief Instructor, FIST
This article appears in Oct 5-11, 2005.
