Striking a 'Discord'
With regard to recent [July 3, July 10] "Insights" columns, you seem to be endorsing Bill Haslam for mayor. Your apparent criteria for supporting Haslam are: 1) he has the most money; and 2) he has executive experience with a company that has made a lot of money.
Let's address the second criterion first. Much has been made in the press about the importance of business finesse in governing a city, with the insinuation that a person who knows how to make money will be able to achieve what's best for Knoxville as a whole. Looking out for the city's budget and economy are important parts of the mayor's job, and Madeline Rogero is no stranger to managing budgets and organizations, nor is there any reason to believe that the city's economic development potential would suffer under her leadership.
But, of course, that's not the whole story. Governing a city is not the same thing as running a business. A business has one goal: make as much money as possible. A city has myriad concerns beyond solvency. Those other concerns can best be met by someone who has the education, training, and experience to guide a community toward a more sustainable future. That calls for someone with business savvy and an understanding of the needs and concerns of the citizens of that community.
Madeline Rogero meets both of those criteria; Bill Haslam does not. The "intensive grassroots campaign" that you noted is being engaged by Haslam does not make him "the candidate of ordinary folks." Knocking on doors and hosting neighborhood events during the few months before an election is hardly comparable with Rogero's many years of involvement and leadership in building stronger communities.
I am especially saddened by the conclusion that the front-runner is the one with the most dollars in campaign contributions. In fact, Haslam's disproportionate campaign fund should be recognized as further evidence that he is the candidate of the wealthy and influential minority rather than the working class majority. It would be interesting to know how many individuals contributed to each candidate's campaign fund.
Yes, Bill Haslam will be able to afford much more TV time to seduce the many uninformed voters into thinking he's the only person running, and columns like "Insights" will be able to convince some voters that their votes are wasted on the candidate with less money. Sadly, dollars can't buy the best mayor. When Madeline reminds us of this, it hardly amounts to "discord" unless one is offended by the truth.
Patrice Cole
Knoxville
"Knonced?"
I admit I'm one of those Joe Sullivan describes as being "not overly cerebral." But after reading Madeline's Song [July 10], I believe what has been "left unsaid" is that Mr. Sullivan has been "knonced" in the head.
I mean how else could Mr. Sullivan figure that being a member of Cherokee Country Club is the same thing as participating in neighborhood recreation programs?
To the patricians in Knoxville, Madeline's song may be discord but to us regular folks it's a tune in perfect harmony that we'll be singing all the way to the mayor's office.
Bill Young
Knoxville
Disappointment
My family read with great interest Betsy Deeter's [July 10] letter concerning the dismissal of Attica Scott's Color Conscious column from Metro Pulse.
I have been in the presence of 30-something "white-looking" people who were discussing one of Ms. Scott's articles. She has the power to draw people into intellectual conversations about race, racism, and the effects they have on each of our lives.
Being a 'white-looking" family, we are very disappointed in your paper for removing this very interesting and gifted individual from your collection of writers.
Bob L. Davis
Nancy Kravitz (Mrs. Davis)
Knoxville
Who'll Make Us Think?
I miss an issue or two and all hell breaks loose! Is it true that Attica Scott is no longer at MP? I know she's controversial, but she helps me keep my sanity!
The mainstream media has turned to mush, one long, painful suck-up fest. Please, please keep those writers who jab us uncomfortably out of our smug complacency and (oh no!) make us think, argue, wrestle with opposing views! (Oh yeah, and that includes [Massimo] Pigliucci too—another one I don't always agree with, but in a thinking way, unlike the somnolence of mainstream blather.)
Marianne Chrystalbridge
Sevierville
What Makes Frist Tick?
Thanks for the article about Sen. Frist's involvement with HCA (July 17). But the focus on whether he profits directly misses the main point. After all, Vice President Cheney probably got no direct kick-back from Halliburton's Iraq contracts, either. There are other ways corporate ties can affect policy.
First, what's the policy-maker's mindset? With an upbringing and way of life predicated on profiting from consumers and taxpayers, can we expect Sen. Frist to represent us well on health-care issues? Second, where do his institutional and social loyalties lie? If your pals are HMO millionaires, it's only natural to want to do them favors. Asking if the senator has broken any rules is way too narrow. How do consumer groups rate the senator's legislative record?
Paul deLeon
Knoxville
Ragin' on the River
In the past I would listen to CDs because there wasn't good music played on the Knoxville radio stations. Two years ago someone told me about a new station called The River. I decided to give this new station a chance (not expecting much). I listened. I was blown away! Finally a station that plays music that is positive, inspiring, just feel-good music for the soul.
Although I enjoy my CDs, I started listening to the The River more and more, with this format of reggae, blues, bluegrass, Americana, classic rock and new music that I couldn't hear anywhere else. The River was saving me the trouble of changing CDs in and out so I could get the different variety of music I liked.
I now listen to the River throughout my entire day, starting with Phil and Murphy in the morning through the evenings with Sara. But The River is more than a station that plays great music, it has became a pillar of Knoxville. This city has so much potential, and The River saw that and managed to utilize it by bringing Sundown in the City every Thursday. This brings Knoxvillians back to downtown and the Old City, areas that people haven't utilized in years. They brought Rockin' on the River and Second Saturday Sensation. They also promoted local bands and gave them a chance no other station did, and much more. You can tell this station was locally owned by its efforts to make this city a better place to live.
What's going to happen when new ownership takes over? Do you think outsiders are concerned about this community?
I am just one concerned listener of The River, but I do not stand alone. We the people, the listeners all have a voice. Together we can be piercing loud! I urge all of you to take a stand by letting Citadel know how we feel with whatever it takes. Write letters like this one to the newspapers expressing your concerns. Boycott Citadel by not listening to their other stations or to the new format until the dried-up River is flowing again with great tunes and all 30-something employees have their jobs back.
Besides, isn't the music for the people? The demand for The River is here in Knoxville!
Bryan K. Milsap
Knoxville
The River Must be Saved
I moved to the Knoxville area a little over two years ago, and The River has been the best part of my move. Now they want to change everything we love about it.
They have a unique music collection and give those of us who aren't into Country or Urban music a much needed choice. The free concerts they sponsor help the community, and they showcase up-and-coming artists, giving them much needed air time. I urge anyone who reads this to email Ed Brantley ([email protected]) and tell him not to change The River's format...and to keep the DJ's. They are local celebs, and some would say heroes...going against the grain by playing music no one else would play.�
All of the fans of The River, and even enemies of Big Brother controlling what we listen to, should show their support.�People will be wherever The River is promoting or having concerts, trying to get signatures. We need to show support for the station and the people...they have given us so much.
Samantha McCloud
Jacksboro
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