Jobs

There was a lot of media hubbub about Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ liver
transplant in Memphis (Editor’s Note, June 25th issue). I’d heard
rumors he was in town. I’d even heard where he was supposedly living.
And I, for one, was thankful that the media here either chose to ignore
the story or, more likely, missed it. The man has pancreatic cancer and
is fighting for his life. What good would it have done to publicize
where he lived? I can just imagine the local television helicopters
hovering over Morningside Place, giving us “live updates.”

So I say, good health to you, Mr. Jobs. Come back and see us when
you’re feeling better.

C.L. Bailey

Memphis

Herenton’s resignation

Mayor Herenton’s giving the city a two-week notice doesn’t surprise
me. It’s like he’s quitting a petty job. He offers no dignity or
respect to the office by pulling this maneuver.

I blame the system in which almost two-thirds of the votes in the
last election were cast for Carol Chumney and Herman Morris, yet
allowed Herenton to win.

Herenton’s already playing the race card in the upcoming election
against Representive Cohen, stating that he could do a better job
because he understands the constituents better because he’s black. I
wonder if he feels the same way about the last presidential
election?

Just because things were done while he was in office doesn’t mean he
is responsible for them. What I do hold him accountable for is
out-of-control crime, the Mid-South Coliseum and the Pyramid sitting
empty, the Mid-South Fair going to Mississippi, and Libertyland sitting
vacant.

We had an organization that wanted to turn Libertyland into another
amusement park, but he blew it. We had an organization that wanted to
turn the Pyramid into a tourist attraction, but we missed that
opportunity, and now we have a fishing supply company we’ve been
talking to for years with no result.

Herenton’s done nothing but racially divide the city. Memphis could
be a growing, vibrant city. Look at Denver, Phoenix, Seattle, Austin
— nice places to live with good reputations. All I can say is
goodbye and hope for the best.

John W. Gary

Memphis

Terrorism

With all the fear of and talk about about terrorism, I wonder if
America knows the definition of the word. Or does America have a double
standard?

People fail to remember that this country was founded and built on
terrorism. We are taught in school that Columbus “discovered” America.
How can you discover a country where people already live? We bestowed
terror on Native Americans and took their country from them. Then we
stole people from other countries, brought them here, and forced them
to develop the land.

We talk about al-Qaeda and the Taliban and their hatred of America,
yet allow terrorist organizations like the Ku Klux Klan and the Aryan
Nation to practice their hatred toward Americans in our own
country.

I remember when the Black Panthers were labeled a terrorist
organization and dismantled. Double standard? The Declaration of
Independence states that “all men are created equal.” Oh, I forgot:
Native Americans and African Americans were classified as savages, not
men, so the Declaration of Independence wasn’t written with us in mind.
These hard-core right-wingers will continue to lead America to its
inevitable destruction.

Booker Davis

Germantown

Who is the terrorist element that haunts the planet? There is a
battle being waged in the world and America today — a battle of
religious fundamentalism against progressive thought. It is the same
battle that raged in Galileo’s time and during the church
inquisitions.

The terrorists of 2009 are the religious fanatics and fundamentalist
extremists who have hijacked and are hiding in the world’s great
religions. From Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan came the fundamentalist
Taliban and al-Qaeda. We all know the havoc they have created.
Elsewhere in the Middle East, fundamentalists come in the form of
Hamas, suicide bombers, and Hezbollah. In America, Christian
fundamentalist anti-abortionists attack abortion clinics and stalk,
intimidate, and harass, patients, staff, and supporters — and
kill doctors.

You can never pacify, negotiate, or compromise with terrorists. A
fundamentalist extremist or religious fanatic is a terrorist, no matter
what religion they profess.

Ron Lowe

Nevada City, California