Flat Fee is Regressive
In your editorial on May 29, you end with the statement "Let's not keep citizens of Knoxville and Knox County forever involved in a car culture that doesn't pay its own way." I wouldn't object to a more progressive version of an automobile tax, but once again we are saddled with a regressive form of taxation where the owner of a $250 junker pays the same tax as the owner of a $75,000 luxury SUV, and if the SUV owner can claim some business use, he gets to write the entire cost of the vehicle off on his federal taxes.
I wonder what the median value is of the automobiles owned by those who voted for the flat fee increase?
In South Carolina and other states known for progressive taxation, the property tax on vehicles is based on the value of the vehicle, not solely the fact that it has a tag.
Fred Sahms
Knoxville
Just a Ploy?
The utility excuse is just that. City engineers surely have access to archives showing what has been put underground anywhere in Knoxville from day one. This sounds like simply the latest— and costliest—ploy to discourage people from living downtown.
Developers are moving ever westward, have huge housing stocks out there, and are constantly adding to them. Could they and realtors be influencing City Council?
And why was that perfect little gem, Krutch Park, destroyed?
Vivian Leitner
Knoxville
Take an Azimuth
I read your "Ear" piece on Knoxville geography (May 22). I, too, am frustrated when the media get the sides of our town mixed up. Determining east, north, south and west should be relatively easy.
Central Street is the divider between east and west. Jackson Avenue divides north and south. From the corner of Central and Jackson one can determine what is northeast or northwest or what is southeast or southwest.
Although South Knoxville has a designation of its own, everything between East Jackson Avenue and the Tennessee River is Southeast Knoxville. Geographically speaking, the Weigels on Summit Hill Drive is in the Southeast.
Robert J. Booker
Knoxville
Endless Sexism?
Although I don't even bother with things like this anymore ["The Swimsuit Issue," May 22] because it is endless, I will say that even if "tongue in cheek," it is just the sexist images that women are confronted with a dozen times a day. I shop at the Fresh Market because of the classical music, great food selection, and because I don't have to look at two dozen sexed-up images of women as I wait in line.
Women are quite diverse on this issue, but I will say, I don't find it inspiring, and I don't find it inspiring especially when I consider young girls in this era.
Cynthia Markert
Knoxville
Stone-Age Edition
I am not sure of the reasoning behind the [May 22] swimsuit "layout." It does not strike me as particularly in tune with my idea (possibly misconceived notion) of the Metro Pulse as an alternative newspaper for those of us interested in social justice, political activism, alternative thought, etc.
Is the idea to increase circulation among the college age jocks, or good ole boy network? Those stone-age ideas of women/their "proper place" already are too pervasive in East Tennessee. I know that a number of my friends, as well as myself, found it offensive. Of course I am sure the frat boys and football team (and above all else—Go Big Orange!) loved it.
I certainly hope this is not going to be a trend with the "new," but certainly not improved, Metro Pulse. If it is, I hope the circulation you may gain will offset the circulation you will certainly lose. But then actually, I hope it does not.
A very disappointed reader,
Jackie Cahelo
Knoxville
Stern Response
I'm so sorry Willie Stern feels discriminated against ("Socially Acceptable Bigotry," May 29). Perhaps he can be comforted by the fact that his political party controls the presidency (though not by majority vote of the people) and both houses of Congress. And also by the fact that, as yet, no state senator has called for him to be "run out of the country."
Carol Zinavage
Knoxville
Setting It Straight
In re: Willy Stern's essay, Socially Acceptable Bigotry, May 29:
Republicans are not assholes. John Ashcroft is an asshole. Dick Cheney is an asshole.
I'm looking forward to all the Republicans who are not assholes joining together next year to rid their party of the assholes who have used 9/11 as cover for removing judicial branch checks and balances from executive branch powers of arrest and surveillance and for handing out huge, unfunded government contracts to companies they depend on for campaign contributions and dividend income.
Karl Rove is an asshole. Just because your Mom and Dad are Republicans doesn't mean you have to vote for assholes. We are still free to make political choices, right?
Rikki Hall
Rockford
Take This, Loftist!
I suppose I'm now among the residentially offended. It isn't much of a minority, I grant you, but it's all I got.
Matt Edens' [May 29] article—i.e., that real estate listing snugly tucked within a bed of editorial—does indeed perform a service, in reminding us of actual houses in the downtown area. He is quite right. Not to put too fine a point to it, having one's own home is far preferable to apartment life. Any apartment life.
It is rather a jump, though, to categorize those who rent lofts as reptilians who live to slither from bar to bar. Some of us can't yet afford either the price of even an inexpensive cottage and/or the upkeep necessary for properly maintaining it. Some of us hate bars. Some of us have never—are you sitting?—dined at the Tomato Head. Some of us dream of one day tending roses in our own gardens. And when that happy horizon nears, Matthew, some of us will be evaluating potential homes for virtues other than a proximity to this year's hot pub.
Put that in your stein and chug it, you loftist, you.
Jack Mauro
Knoxville
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