Cyberspeech
It is refreshing to see an article such as this (Cover Story, "Shutdown," by Joel Rozen, Jan. 24-30) in the pages of your paper. The question of the application of First Amendment rights to cyberspace is of enormous significance in the digital age. It was, is, and should be of immense concern to Florida residents that the constitutional right of free speech has been narrowed to fit the cyberstalking statute, regardless of whether that which is alleged is true or not. This limitation is larger than either of the two individuals who are covered in your article.
Kate, Via creativeloafing.com
One Woman's Trash ...
Thank you so much for your misinformed opinion (Art Review, "Trash & Treasure," by Megan Voeller, Jan. 24-30). Megan, I would never "rip-off" anyone as you so put it. You know, I worked for Interview in the '80s with people like Robert Mapplethorpe, Scavullo, Gilles Lorraine and did know Andy [Warhol] socially through friends of mine Wilfredo Rosado and Elizabeth Saltzman at local nightspots. Much of my work is influenced by the artists I met and liked from that most vibrant and influential time in my life. The wonderful thing about life is learning from one another, being influenced, taking the good and sharing it with one another, Megan. I mention this because of your statement that the art had a celebrity element with some 'rubbing off' factor. Honestly, Ms. Voeller: If you are going to call something crap, at least get your facts straight. Fact: You totally didn't get it, wrote a scathing review without delving into the crap you so hated in your moments of viewing the art. Unlike Andy, who was estranged from his subjects, I create my art from my own images through personal encounters with people whom I meet and that inspire my art from all walks of life — the homeless to celebrity. I do want thank you for making such a comparison to such a wonderful artist as Mr. Warhol whose use of color is divine to me. If you consider my art crap, then so be it — I just ask you to not misinform the public as to the inclination of my art by stating that people are cast in roles of pop icon when the pieces are simply to remind people to look at one another without judgment. But, then again, with a comment undermining the taste of Ms. [Courtney] Love and stating that my work is some form of celebrity ass-kissing, you have enough negative judgment to run for office.
Artist Olan, www.lipstickchic.com
...And Counting
Thank you for a well-written article on the inherent obstacles involved in counting the homeless once a year (Urban Explorer, "Sleeping Among Us," by Alex Pickett, Jan. 31-Feb. 6). It is a labor-intensive exercise that vastly underestimates the homeless population, but one government dollar is better than none, right? There must be a better way to fund social services adequately. Thanks for putting a real face to the process.
Cat Christensen, Via website
Not The Best Metaphor?
I would expect more from a guy with the last name of Goldenberg [than] to use this simile: "...an end driven home with periodic cutaways to a backyard smokehouse that might as well be the gas chambers at Dachau" ("Animal House," review of Charlotte's Web, by Lance Goldenberg, Jan. 24-30). Whaaat! The smokehouse foreshadows their impending doom, yes, but it might as well be a gas chamber? Poor, poor choice of comparison. Use of hyperbole for effect? I do not get it. Millions were marched into those gas chambers, 24/7. It wasn't people marching constantly around the facility waiting for the "first frost on the pumpkin" signifying it is time to slaughter the pig. It was a human conveyor belt; no foreshadowing was needed. Take care and you can do better. It was not anti-Semitic, obviously, just a tremendous downplay of the Holocaust.
Paul Bagli, Via e-mail