"Protect and Serve"
I have a greater respect for the Knoxville Police Department now. Last Friday night [March 7] a large group of folks were enjoying the spring weather during an outdoor get-together that included lots of great food and drink, live music and artistic demonstrations. The group was made up of people ranging in age from 1 to 80 with diverse backgrounds. At some point later in the evening a few folks began lighting fireworks. At one point there were lots of bottle rockets and firecrackers going off simultaneously.
Not so surprisingly, given the downtown location and the vicinity of the interstate to the party, the City of Knoxville police department reported to the scene. The responding police officer (I wish I had gotten his name so I could commend him personally) quickly put an end to the fireworks and began to investigate the area. He remained calm and extremely polite while at the same time gave a sense of authority. He spoke for a time with the host of the party. He did not harass the crowd and call in the "paddy wagons."
The fireworks stopped, the bonfire was drenched, and many folks began to pack up for home. I left the party shortly after the police left with an understanding that treating others with respect and dignity was the best approach to the situation. Thank you, Mr. Police Officer for your admirable behavior.
Kimberly Chamberlin
Knoxville
Grammy Lessons
While I was pleased to hear about Nick Raskulinecz' success in Mike Gibson's [March 20] article, "Knoxville's First Grammy winner?" I was disappointed to see how Mike and Metro Pulse missed it in a big way.
In fact, Ashley Cleveland, a Bearden High School graduate (like Nick, go Bulldogs!) was awarded a Grammy several years ago—indeed, two of them—for a progressive rock, gospel, blues album entitled Lessons of Love.�
Ashley has performed sold-out shows for three years now at New City Café in the Old City. And despite my efforts and cajoling, not once has Metro Pulse bothered to write an article on this Grammy winner from Knoxville. According to Mike's article, Nick's response to his Grammy was to exclaim: "Holy shit!" Consistent with her counter-culture Christian worldview, Ashley continues to acknowledge the role of the Holy Spirit in all her cutting-edge artistic endeavors.
Because I like the eccentric niche that Metro Pulse represents for Knoxville, I am hopeful that Mike and the rest of the Pulse gang might realize that there are, in fact, numerous artists exploring a variety of genres who live and create outside the center of the pop-world and who deserve credit and merit serious attention.� Commendations are in order for both Nick and Ashley on work well done.�
Kenny Woodhull
director, New City,
Knoxville
Damnyankee Anyway!
In response to R. K. Williams' letter about Jesse Mayshark's weird Feb. 27 review of Gods & Generals, surely he knew what to expect from a 'damn' Yankee in the first place. How he lasted here in the South as long as he did is beyond me—he is a liberal to beat all. And so biased in his opinions! I was glad he finally got up the gumption to return to his New York environs where, hopefully, he won't be fighting the system as he did here in Knoxville.
Read my review (from a southerner's point of view) of Gods & Generals in Amazon.com in which I saluted Ted Turner for showing the truth and presenting Southern pride and our fighting flag in an honest, compassionate, fair manner.
Just hope Mayshark is happy in the "Big Apple." I think it's time Metro Pulse uses other reviewers instead of a "has been" who retreated back East where he belongs.
B. Burks
Knoxville
Elkmont Reviewed
In reference to your March 13 Metro Pulse article on the Smokies, a couple of corrections:
The article was perhaps the most unbiased coverage of all the complex issues facing our Great Smoky Mountains National Park I have read in months. Good job!
Call the park once again and get more accurate numbers on those who are FOR preserving the cultural and historical aspects of The National Register's Elkmont Historic District while at the same time nurturing the environment. Actually over 90 percent of those polled over the past year are for preservation of the structures of Elkmont. Check out the park's excellent website for more complete survey results at www.elkmont-gmpa-ea.com
As a lover of the Smokies and Elkmont, I would also like to correct the statement that "little maintenance was done in the last years of the leases (on the cabins)." I have beautiful memories and photos to back up those memories—and large repair bills! —to show that the majority of these cabins were lovingly maintained until the stroke of midnight Dec, 31, 1992 when the park assumed responsibility. Let it be noted, many lessees begged to be able to keep maintaining the cabins until the park had a plan. This request was denied.
The fact that 11 years of neglect, East Tennessee rains, winds and snows, falling trees, vandalism, and termites haven't destroyed these sturdy, brave structures should tell us all something important.
Elsewhere in the country's national parks, historic lodges and structures are considered National Treasures. On the National Historic Register since 1994, the Elkmont Historical District is in danger of demolition by neglect.
Lynn Faust
Knoxville
Who's Racist?
I'd like to thank the Metro Pulse for yet another amusing diatribe by Attica Scott. Her latest installment [March 20] of "color conscious" is as amusing and frustrating as her previous installments.
I, likewise, had noticed an amazing degree of racism within the ranks of the Knoxville anti-war protestors. However, the racism I had encountered was a concern that there were too many white people attending the protests, and not enough "people of color" in attendance. This anti-white racism seemed to be more important to the anti-war protestors than actually protesting the war.
Given that Ms. Scott's narrow-minded obsession with race seems to take priority over any and all other things, Ms. Scott is behaving like more of a racist than those other "racists" that Ms. Scott seems to be finding anywhere and everywhere she looks.
I am not certain if Ms. Scott is being intentionally ironic in her articles, is a hypocrite of a spectacular degree, or is totally ignorant of the fact that her single-minded concern with the race of individuals identifies her as one of the "racists" which she claims to oppose.
I should like to thank Attica for continually demonstrating to me the true nature of at least one individual who is so outspoken about racial matters. But I reject the unearned guilt that she seems to be trying to impose upon those who are not "people of color." I am one of those individuals for whom race really does not matter. I judge people as individuals and by their values; perhaps Attica should learn to do the same.
Kevin Benko
Knoxville
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