Dennis Freeland
To the Editor:
It is so heartwarming to see the Flyer‘s tribute to Dennis
Freeland in the paper (January 10th issue) and on your Web site. The stories
told by your writers didn’t focus so much on Dennis the editor or sportswriter
as much as they did on Dennis the mentor, friend, role model, community
leader.
I was fortunate enough to have worked with Dennis at several Anytown
programs in the 1990s. His dedication and enthusiasm helped make Anytown what
it was. Perhaps it was his ability to relate to anyone, regardless of age,
race, class, or political affiliation. Whatever it was, it worked.
I learned many things from Dennis, but the way he handled the last months
of his life was probably the greatest lesson I will take from him. Dennis
impacted more Memphians’ lives than he would have ever known. He worked hard
to improve what Memphis needs to improve most: race relations. More important,
he was able to motivate others to do the same.
Kevin Watts
Long Beach, California
To the Editor:
I was deeply saddened to learn of Dennis Freeland’s passing. Dennis was a
prominent and beloved member of our community who left us too soon. My prayers
are with his family and loved ones.
Dennis will be remembered for his integrity, compassion, love of Memphis
sports, and unfailing kindness and humility. He will also be remembered for
the extraordinary courage he rallied to fight his illness.
Our community will remember Dennis as the editor of The Memphis
Flyer, the publication he guided and shaped for so many years. He
understood what was important and gave voice to a broad range of views and
perspectives. Memphis is a better place as a result of his devotion to
journalism.
Although all of us will miss Dennis Freeland, his family and loved ones
feel the deepest loss. I extend my condolences and heartfelt sympathies to
those he left behind.
Congressman Harold Ford Jr.
Memphis
To the Editor:
Dennis Freeland was a candle in the murk. It is important to publicly
acknowledge that acute, smart, honest writing is appreciated, honored, and
valued. Dennis was a good man, a big-hearted man, who nevertheless approached
his job with clear eyes and an integrity that will be missed. If there’s a
heaven we can only hope he’s looking down on his frenetic hometown and using
his unearthly wiles to keep us straight. Requiescat in pace.
Corey Mesler
Memphis
Amused By Molly
To the Editor:
I read with great amusement the Viewpoint by Molly Ivins (January 10th
ussue). Is she engaged in some type of rage therapy or just trying to be
politically correct and knock the current administration? It is clear from her
ranting that she is paying attention to Sunday morning TV (Meet the
Press surfaced the Daschle obstructionist label two weeks ago). She could
at least give proper credit to the program that came up with the story.
As far as her angst over tax breaks being doled out, not to worry. Don
Sundquist, Tennessee’s tax-and-spend Republican party buster, has a plan for
any refund “the rich folks” may get now or in the future. Even
though a good liberal like Ivins surely returned hers to the Treasury or some
equally deserving charity. As for me, I’m not rich; I spent mine on a new
American-made washing machine.
Memo to Ms. Ivins: Dry your eyes, change your diaper, and get over it!
Gore lost and so will Daschle when he runs. America bears the scars of eight
years of do-nothing, liberal-establishment, tax-and-spend programs which do
not address our country’s interests. The surplus you seem so concerned with is
going to fight the terror network that mysteriously took root during the
Clinton-Gore administration.
Al Tredway
Lakeland, Tennessee
What Polls?
To the Editor:
In a letter to the editor (January 10th issue) Thomas Jones alluded to
“three separate polls showing broad support for a new arena.”
What three polls? My perspective is that any accurate polling of public
sentiment will reveal a majority negative attitude toward building a new
arena. That’s why a public referendum was out of the question.
Go, Duncan. Go, Heidi.
Bob Roesler
Memphis
Just Dandy
To the Editor:
So Tamara Mitchell-Ford wants respect (City Reporter, January 10th
issue)? Well, isn’t that just dandy? From the things she said in the article
it sounds to me like she wants attention and money. She went on and on about
how devoted she was and how horrible these women who broke up her family were.
She said she wants to be allowed to sue and collect damages because these
women “came into [her] home and took [her] life.”
So who is she planning to sue? Not the women she says attacked her
family. Certainly not the woman she attacked with her car. No, she wants to
sue her ex-husband, John. She just sued him for divorce and custody and won
both so she must feel she’s on a roll. But like many ex-wives she apparently
wants to keep on dragging him through it until he’s dead.
Fine. But what about the effect of this on the children? Tamara says she
loves them so much. How do you suppose it affects the children to have a
mother who physically attacks people and drives while drunk?
Robert Hughes, Germantown
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