Letters to the Editor More Politics To the Editor: I enjoyed Jackson Baker's article on the mayoral race (September 30th issue). It was funny, it was serious, it was sad. The worst thing about this mayoral race is the constant nitpicking between candidates (you know who you are!). I haven't seen this much mudslinging since Alexis and Crystal got into a brawl on the '80s T.V. show Dynasty. You know what? I think I want a mayor who discriminates. Yeah, discriminates! I hope our next Mayor discriminates based on the goodness of people and not against the color of their skin. It should be good people versus bad people, not blacks against whites. We won't turn the tide on Memphis' biggest problem -- racial polarity -- until we have a leader who is "color blind." Our next mayor should make decisions for his constituents based on a sense of fairness for all people, not just the folks that have the same color of skin as he possesses. Mark McKee e-mail (Memphis) To the Editor: Willie Herenton claims his biggest fear is of a Ford political machine. Where was this fear when he asked for the Fords' help to get elected in the first place? Clearly, if the Fords had not lent a hand, he would not have gotten the 132 votes that put him in office. What an ingrate! And now that he realizes that Joe Ford poses a serious challenge to his throne, he goes running to the White Republicans asking them not to endorse a candidate so that he will have a better chance of garnering the votes of the whites who do not support the Fords. What underhandedness! Herenton further claims that the Fords have enriched themselves through political office. But it is Willie Herenton, his children, family members, and cronies who have profited from his political connections. What a distorter of the facts! What is even more shocking is that as an elected official, he won't even disclose to the public his own investments. He says it is nobody's business but his. What arrogance! He refuses to acknowledge how much he has profited from his interests in gambling, real estate, etc. No, it is not fear of a Ford machine that most scares Willie Herenton, but a fear that he might have to win on his own political record. And that record is a sorry one indeed. My concern is not of a Ford dynasty, but that Willie Herenton could have four more years to play the role of an ingrate, arrogant distorter of facts, and underhanded turncoat. Common sense tells me that Memphis will get more help with the Fords working together than with Willie Herenton lining his own pockets. S.G. Jeffries e-mail (Memphis) To the Editor: Maybe it's just me, but I think it's a good thing when 15 people, several of whom are ordinary citizens like you and me, are running for the same mayoral election. Finally we have a real choice to make. Finally we have a reason to listen to the debates and speeches, etc. But instead of encouraging the people who are not backed by political machines, rich families, or their own celebrity, we've all but dismissed nine candidates as if they've never joined the race. It's almost like punishing them for trying to do something good. It may be true that they don't really have a chance, but that's a decision for the voters to make, not the media. The media should give equal attention to all candidates so voters can make informed decisions. I, for one, admire the courage and idealism of the nine other candidates. Jon Devin Memphis To the Editor: I would like to comment on your article about the "10,000 Women for W.W. Herenton" (September 30th issue). The list of "Memphis Who's Who" of female endorsements consisted of Gayle Rose, Pat Kerr Tigrett, Kristi Jernigan, Perre Magness (C.A. fame) and Lynne Turley who remarked, "The lower-class white community isn't going to vote for Herenton. they'll vote for Jerry Lawler." If these snobs can look down their refined noses at me and insinuate that I'm "white trash" just because I voted for Lawler, then it would be appropriate for me to refer to them as "Willie's Wealthy White Witches and Welfare Witches." Joe Mercer e-mail (Memphis) To the Editor: I read with much interest and agreement your recent article about Sen. John Ford ("Fly on the Wall," September 16th issue). You said much that applies to him. I must take issue with one point, however. Mr. Ford has not and can not embarrass himself. He can only embarrass us who have to admit he is our state senator. John Carter Cordova Daiquiri Bars and Culture To the Editor: Beale Street and the Mississippi Delta are the wellspring from which the timeless music that connects all of America and the world sprung. The Center for Southern Folklore is the most accessible and important link with that history on the Main Street of the blues, Beale Street. It is the Center of the Blues Universe. They belong on Beale Street more than any other institution. Judy Peiser is a saint for preserving this important link to the essential tradition. Without the center, Beale Street is hardly worth visiting. We don't need another failed Wet Willies trashing up Beale Street and creating more drunken drivers to put innocent people at greater risk than before. Don't let it happen! Bless you Judy Peiser! Without the opportunity to inform the world about the true and very special nature of Southern folklore, you run the risk of proving to the world that you are the cliches they think you are. They will make up their own minds. Frankly, I think the South and especially Memphis and the Mississippi Delta, which I have come to love, deserves better representation than Wet Willie's and public drunks. Peiser and her center should be protected from this kind of action. Make the center a National Historic Landmark and get on with your lives! William E. Donoghue Mojo Visions Productions e-mail (Seattle) To the Editor: As a regular visitor to Memphis, I bemoan the threatened loss of my favorite spot on Beale Street, the Center for Southern Folklore. It provides such a welcome change of pace from the other Beale Street music venues, both in terms of music and ambience. Terminating the center's lease is a short-sighted decision that is bound to diminish Beale Street's appeal to music and folklore fans from around the world. Steve Hoffman e-mail (Takoma Park, MD) CORRECTION: Payless Cashways still operate stores in the Memphis area. An item in the September 23rd issue was incorrect. 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