Kudos
To the Editor:
Kudos to John Branston for his
investigative work in exposing the Tri-State
Defender’s plagiaristic reporting (City Beat, April 17th issue).
One would have to assume that nothing they print
is original or believable.
Joe Mercer
Memphis
Comic Relief
To the Editor:
I appreciate the humor your “Fly on the Wall”
has shown by poking fun at our local upper-class
magazine, Elite Memphis (April 17th issue). While the
magazine does provide some comic relief, it does more
harm than good to our fair city. The problems with
such self-important journalism are numerous. The
egotism displayed in this magazine adds to the racial and
class struggles that have plagued this city for decades.
When one small group of Memphians declares
itself superior, what are the rest of us to think?
Most people conclude that they are not elite and thus
unimportant to the life of this city. Nothing could
be further from the truth. Memphis’ strengths lie in
the unsung heroes, our neighbors, the people who
pay their taxes without complaint and those who
selflessly strive to improve our community.
By publishing the exploits of our “social
superiors,” Elite Memphis is contributing to the
widening rift that has always been present in this city. I
have lived here long enough to know that many of our
city’s problems are caused by the snobby narcissism so
blatantly displayed in this magazine.
We should all examine our motives and decide
to do what we can to improve our community. In the case of “elite” Memphians, this may mean losing
their egos for more than five minutes and contributing
to our community without wondering on which page their picture will be published.
Matthew Hrutkay Memphis
Rumsfeld is a Great Man
To the Editor:
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld
continues to send shock and awe throughout the liberal
elite community. During his daily briefings with
reporters he exhibits the tenacity of a pit bull while balancing
it with the straightforwardness of the Gipper.
The State Department, characterized by old
men with old ideas, has been effectively rendered as
irrelevant as the United Nations by Rummy’s arsenal
of explosive ideas. The axis of appeasement —
France, Russia, and Germany — perceives our secretary of
defense as the embodiment of Ronald Reagan. He
would not hesitate to pick up the red phone.
Even Secretary of State Colin Powell
eventually succumbed to Rumsfeld’s persuasive powers.
The violent, socialistic, anti-troops,
anti-Bush protesters live in utter fear that Rummy will usher
in WWIII. In stark contrast, Rumsfeld is revered and
loved by a nation that is finally experiencing freedom: Iraq.
George W. Bush early on demonstrated his
keen ability to surround himself with great men of
principle. Donald Rumsfeld is one of those men.
Tony Barba
Memphis
Loves Downtown
To the Editor:
I absolutely love downtown Memphis. I attend
sporting events, dine in downtown restaurants, and enjoy walking
on the riverfront. The new Peabody Place and the various
spots on Beale Street are wonderful, but in my opinion there
needs to be more in order to make Memphis a true
destination city. We lack the type of attractions that could appeal to
the masses on a daily basis.
A possibility I think could work in downtown
Memphis is some sort of mega-retail and entertainment
complex — a Mall of America-type venue, if you will. I
recently read an article describing the plans for a
facility called Destiny USA near Syracuse, New
York. When finished, Destiny USA would be the
nation’s largest retail and entertainment complex. A
venue of this magnitude would be ideal for Memphis
given its central location. The possible residual effect
of this could be added hotels near the complex
which could lead to more conventions and
high-profile events such as an NBA All-Star game. I think the
city should start thinking big.
Anthony White
Memphis
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