One Man's Trash
Re: "Scene & Herd: Bad Neighbors," by Scott Harrell (Feb. 2-8)
Dear Mr. White Trash: I always thought journalists were stupid and did not have anything positive to write about, and how about that? You are even stupid in your personal life. You think it is actually amusing that your house looks like crap while the others take care of their yards. You sound like a winner. What you are is lazy! It takes merely minutes to perform tasks to keep up with a house. You are probably one of those guys that after smoking pot you just sit around and do nothing while you dream about being some great writer – you are not! You should be fined every day that your house is unkempt, then maybe you will see the light. You are one of the main reasons that neighborhoods deteriorate. A new jackass moves into the neighborhood because you brought the value of homes down in your area and before you know it the neighborhood is full of scumbags like you. Get a life! Get a clue!
Anonymous
To Scott Harrell: Just wanted to tell you how very much I enjoyed both the wonderful cover story this week ("The Boys in the Van," Feb. 2-8) and also your White Trash musings. In my humble opinion, your work has reached new levels of "great." You may be cool and hip, but you're also an excellent writer. I happen to know how much hard work goes into such "effortless" writing.
Laura Keane
St. Petersburg
No Ponytail
Re: "Off the Air: Connie Burton vs. WMNF," by Max Linsky (Feb. 2-8)I'm a white guy in my 50s without a ponytail, but more on that in a few seconds. I'm writing to say that what WMNF did to radio talk show host Connie Burton is simply inexcusable. I could say a lot more, but Chimurenga Waller said it best: "It's just an obscenity." That it is. Just another one of the countless obscenities African Americans put up with every day in the Tampa Bay region. I wonder what would happen were WMNF to cancel Amy Goodman's show because of its "singular perspective"? I listened to Connie Burton on occasion and never found her to be less than informative, enlightening, provocative and refreshing. I didn't always agree with what she had to say, but she made me think, and that I relished and enjoyed. Now, as to the comment about WMNF's "core audience" being made up of "40-to-50 year-old white guys with ponytails": I've lived in Florida for nearly 10 years and I can easily claim that the majority of such guys couldn't pick their noses and listen to the radio at the same time.
H.P. Albarelli Jr.
Indian Rocks Beach
Is it valid to legitimize Connie Burton's charge of racism, merely because she chooses to define her disagreement in those terms?
In many ways I found your article to be balanced and well-written. However, I think the failure to mention that the People's Uhuru is a political organization based on socialist principles has contributed to slighting your article in favor of Ms. Burton's argument.
My estimation of the People's Uhuru is that, at its worst, it seeks to legitimize its political agenda under the guise of becoming a community organization. The local Democratic or Republican and Green parties may make the same claim. Unlike other community organizations, such as the NAACP, political parties are exclusive rather than inclusive.
I might call Rush Limbaugh racist. I might call Howard Stern and Bubba the Love Sponge chauvinist and offensive. I would do so because it is easy for me to assume that they follow a certain stereotype and a certain political agenda which antagonizes my beliefs. So, I can almost understand how Connie Burton might feel compelled to label the staff at WMNF as racist. On the other hand, I wouldn't want Howard, Bubba or Rush to be given a show at WMNF, nor would I listen to Connie Burton's if it were given back to her.
Noelle Haight
Via e-mail
Peace Out
Re: "Group Therapy," by Max Linsky (Jan. 26-Feb. 1)On behalf of St. Pete for Peace I would like to thank you for your article on our local counter-inaugural event in St. Petersburg on Thursday, Jan. 20. I thought your piece was well-written, fair in its treatment of very divisive topics, and offered a good cross-section of the personal views of those who attended. The column gave an accurate feel of what it was like to be out there that day and presented our message in an unbiased manner. It was very professional and reflects well upon both you and the Weekly Planet.
Jim Marvin
St. Pete for Peace, www.stpeteforpeace.org
MORE ON MONET
Re: "The River Is Wide," by Mary Mulhern (Jan. 19-25)Your article is excellent. I know it isn't easy to set historical context while holding the interest of readers – nice job. I wish I were teaching urban anthropology this term; we read segments of Engels' The Condition of the Working Class in England. Sometimes it's hard to make the material vivid and immediate for the students, but this show would really add something. I think I will hand out your article the next time the course is offered and make an assignment out of looking up some paintings. Thanks!
Maria D. Vesperi
Professor of Anthropology, New College of Florida
CORRECTIONS:
"Short List" in the issue of Feb. 2 listed an incorrect web address for Google's new TV search engine. The correct URL is video.google.com.
The Planet learned after last week's issue went to press that the Acoustic Syndicate concert, which was featured in last week's Planet Picks, had been cancelled due to scheduling difficulties. Apologies to anyone who made the trip to the State Theatre to see the show.
This article appears in Feb 9-15, 2005.