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Basilio's Stuff is 'Grace'-less

With regard to Tony Basilio's column, "...by the Grace of God." in the Nov. 26 issue of MP: Although I can't speak about his face [for TV?], Tony Basilio's column proves that his writing ability suits him well for radio.

This is not why I'm writing, though. I'm writing to say that I think it's fascinating that Mr. Basilio seems to have all us evil Yankees figured out. There are good and bad people everywhere, but apparently (at least according to Mr. Basilio), "bad" Northerners are so not because of their character, upbringing, or genetics, but because they're from the North.

I suppose then, that it would be fair for me to say that Mr. Basilio's lousy writing comes not from his arrogance or inattention to detail, but rather as a result of his inbred, red-necked, poorly-educated Southernness. As a reasonable person, though, this is not the point of view I take.

I can tolerate the crap spewed forth by Mr. Basilio; after all, it's trite stuff that I've read and heard many times before. This type of ignorant, self-indulgent ranting is not something I've come to expect from the Metro Pulse, however. I hold the editors to a higher standard than what Mr. Basilio deserves, and I'm disappointed.

Kevin G. Smith, useless Yankee
Knoxville

Editor's Note: Tony Basilio wrote in the column in question that he is a transplanted Northerner.

Stop the Killing

A memorial service for the families and friends of murder victims was held at the state Capitol in Nashville on Tuesday (Dec. 9). Wreaths and ornaments decorate the halls to memorialize lost loved ones through the holiday season. While raising awareness about crime and justice issues, Tennessee's First Lady Andrea Conte has organized a truly remarkable mission—to reduce and prevent violent crime through education, collaboration and community involvement.

I wonder if anyone placed a wreath in honor of the Robert Glen Coe family. The public and press has deemed their brother a monster. Suffering with severe mental illness Robert confessed to a crime, [for] which all physical evidence points to another suspect. Robert was not a monster, he was a human being, who was emotionally, physically, and sexually abused as a child. As an adult, Robert suffered with severe mental illness. The state that was to serve and protect him, murdered him while the world slept. The Coe family has been ridiculed, harassed, and shot at. Their justice experience was limited to being allowed the honor of watching the state of Tennessee murder their brother.

Instead of ridiculing and harassing victims' families, perhaps we could collaborate to be more resourceful. Let us spend more time and money educating the public on issues of crime prevention and reduce victimization. Let us yield more funds to law enforcement, prosecuting the true criminals. Let us stop dragging victim's families through an agonizing process of capital punishment and promote less violent acts of justice. It costs Tennesseans more to execute people than it does to execute justice. Let us use the money saved to not only support our communities, but establish trust funds to assist the victims' families during their time of loss.

You Have the Power, let us call for a Time Out on Executions in Tennessee. Stop the killing, start the healing.

André Trivette
Dandridge