Cigarette Charity
I was quite struck by Joe Tarr's feature on the Knox Area Rescue Mission ["Life at the Mission," Vol. 10, No. 31], precisely because it highlighted a longstanding gripe I have with the organization.
I'm well accustomed to KARM's regular direct mail solicitations and would really like to contribute some day. Unfortunately, KARM perpetuates what I consider to be a major public relations and public health problem that prohibits my giving until it is addressed. Most ironically, my beef with them was spelled out no fewer than five times in the story. "Cigarettes."
Having worked for several years in close proximity to the men's shelter on Broadway, it still disgusts me to pass the property and see the majority of residents puffing away on cigarettes in front of the building. Is this what my money would be doing for these people in need of help? Helping residents smoke themselves into myriad health problems that cost us yet more to treat? Helping worsen our area's documented air pollution problem? I don't think so. To further fuel my ire with this situation, on several occasions residents of the shelter and/or the Salvation Army actually barged in the back door of my place of work, panhandling specifically for—you guessed it—cigarettes. I don't blame your clients, but I do look south down the street toward KARM.
I realize that cigarette smoking isn't the chief concern of the shelter nor society as a whole, which rightly emphasizes alcohol and other substance abuse recovery programs. In case KARM management hasn't heard, though, tobacco is also an addiction that kills. For all the good KARM does, I refuse to support any "rescue" organization that enables its clients to conspicuously consume cigarettes on its property or—even worse—hands them out like aperitifs or after-dinner mints. (I question whether those who are laboring for their $5 a month are really financing their own habits.)
Are Free & Co. driving their residents to an earlier grave by placating them with cigarettes even as they're saving their souls? KARM does a lot of good, and I'm sure it's thankless work much of the time. But how about going one step further and doing something about the apparently institutionalized culture of smoking at your mission by implementing and publicizing a smoking cessation program? At the very least send smokers out back so jerks/potential donors like me won't see the hypocrisy. Sounds (and looks) a lot better to me than sending your clients out to face the day with a pack of Camels in their duffel bags.
Alesa Rottersman
Knoxville
The Shady Shakes
I really enjoyed your expanded review of The Marshall Mathers LP ["The Eminem Problem," Vol. 10, No. 29]. You hit it perfectly in all its gross glory. I only listened to a filtered version (the ones that my friends liked while on a road trip to Athfest in Georgia). The tracks I heard from the CD gave me chills... the kind of visceral reaction that I get when I see a truck flip on top of a car on I-40 (short and intense).
I didn't want to stop listening, but when I finally ejected the CD I felt like I needed to brush my teeth, wash my hands and face, and try to stop shaking.
Rob Howard
Knoxville
Fawn Fest
I was in town Saturday Aug. 5 to perform at the New City Cafe in the Old City, and I wanted to say thanks to Kenny Woodhull and staff for being gracious hosts, and to the folks who came out. To those of you who participated in the coloring activity: You did a great job, and your parents would be very proud of you! I enjoyed being in Knoxville when I was at UT ('82-'87), but I didn't get off-campus much. I'm eager to come back and experience more of the real Knoxville.
Also, thanks to the Metro Pulse staff for putting together a fine publication. Yours was the first paper I picked up when I hit town. Intelligence and "good looks" are as rare a combination in local papers as in people; you manage to exhibit both. Thanks especially for the article on KARM; I was pleasantly surprised and encouraged by the absence of the knee-jerk cynicism such a topic seems to elicit these days.
Readers who plan to visit Chattanooga and want tips on stuff to do (or if you felt slighted because you were left out of the fawn-fest above), email me at: [email protected].
Mark Hall
Chatttanooga
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