Letters to the Editor Hubris and Hypocrisy To the Editor: So it appears that The Memphis Flyer has launched a campaign against community theatre by siccing its pedantic, acerbic reviewer, Mr. Chris Davis, onto the dedicated volunteer actors of the city. What kind of masochism will allow these poor souls to continue to tread the boards after being subjected to the vitriolic outbursts of the terrifying Mr. D? I’ll tell you. They love the stage, and that won’t change even after they have been nipped by your resident bulldog. Perhaps Mr. D. needs to be reminded of his own mediocre performances as actor and director before he lectures others on their theatrical shortcomings. C’mon, Mr. D! Taking someone else to task for hubris? Pure hypocrisy! Tom Ford Memphis Dickey Insight To the Editor: I would like to thank Jackson Baker for “On Experiencing the Dickeys” (August 6th issue). This short narrative gives me more insight to this great poet than anything else I have read. I enjoy Dickey’s work, but now may I enjoy the poet/author even more. Thank you, Jackson. Frank McLallen Memphis Agreeing with the Coach To the Editor: I agree with William K. Richardson’s Viewpoint (“See No Evil,” July 16th issue). I have been saying what he said for the last 20 years. These girls need to be accountable themselves. We just constantly keep blaming it on the guys and no one seems to say anything about the girls, except pity and sympathy. I say if they didn’t get raped, they are just as much to blame as the guys. Earl Mosley Memphis To the Editor: I’m a regular reader of The Memphis Flyer and I agree with William K. Richardson’s commentary. I’ve been thinking that for many years. That’s one of the reasons I sent my dear children to private schools. Now, please see if you can campaign for a change. Elma J. Bell Germantown No Cures for Gays To the Editor: Since being gay is not a sickness, to talk about a cure is meaningless. My heart goes out to people who are in conflict about their sexuality and do not have access to the kind of help that would enable self-acceptance. Some people who are homosexual are unable to deal with the rejection they feel from society, and the consequent self-rejection felt inside. They make a choice to deny their natural sexuality. That is their prerogative. What I object to is the message that often comes from these people, that there are places to go to “get cured.” This is an empty promise. Sexual orientation is profound. It does not change. People who claim they are no longer homosexual have simply shut down a part of their being in the service of feeling more socially acceptable. That might work for some, but sexuality is powerful, it tends to assert itself, and then the individual feels disillusionment and despair – a failure who couldn’t become “normal.” That is when the promise of a “cure” has cruel consequences. Steven M. Claburn Memphis The Memphis Flyer encourages reader response. Send mail to: Letters to the Editor, POB 687, Memphis, TN 38101. Or call Back Talk at 575-9405. Or send us e-mail at memflyer@aol.com. All responses must include name, address, and daytime phone number. Letters should be no longer than 250 words. Editor’s Note Recently we have received several not-for-publication letters about our new theatre writer, Chris Davis. The letter writers complain that our reviews are too critical of local theatrical productions, which are, after all, mostly amateur affairs with most roles, from actor and director to stage manager and set designer, staffed by volunteers. When any Flyer reviewer expresses displeasure, I expect specific examples of what went wrong and why. I think our readers deserve that. Whether we are writing about food, music, art, or theatre, we want our writers to give honest, informed opinion. The reader is then free to use that information as he or she sees fit. We certainly do not wish to discourage Memphians who participate in local theatre. In fact, we would like to see live theatre thrive in Memphis – this is why we commit regular space in our publication to theatre coverage. It is also why this paper and our sister publication Memphis magazine have so often served as sponsors for various theatre-related events. Instructing our writers to ignore shortcomings in local productions, however, is no way to nurture the Memphis theatre scene. We will continue to write about Memphis theatre – the good, the bad, and yes, sometimes, the ugly. We urge you to express your opinions as well. If you think any of our writers miss the mark, then by all means write us a letter. With the lengthy ballot and subsequent computer glitches at the Shelby County Election Commission, the election of August 6th will surely be remembered as one of the strangest in local history. Precinct-by-precinct results were not even available until a full week after voting ended. Senior editor Jackson Baker has studied the numbers and found some surprises. For his analysis, see page 10.