Crooked Flight
Novelists can't make this stuff up: So when are the indictments coming ("Return to Sender," Bob Norman, August 30)? Is Palm Beach County the only county to begin cleaning up corruption in the tricounty area? I laugh whenever I hear about the small dollar amounts involved in Palm Beach County's former County Commissioner scandals compared to the elephantine amounts in Dade and Broward. Remember the recent takeover by the feds of Dade County's Housing Authority? And if you think there are bloated airport budgets in Broward, then you should check out the gargantuan one at Miami International. I eagerly await Carl Hiaasen's next novel involving the political cesspools of Dade and Broward counties.
Gavin Alford
Via the Internet
Does it stop at the ballot box? Don't think that the public is not aware of the corruption taking place at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and the Broward County Commission. It's unfortunate that today we can't trust representatives from either the Democratic or Republican parties to stand for truth and justice the way the founding fathers of this nation wanted it to be back then and in the future. Taking an oath to uphold and protect the public interest is not taken seriously by these politicians. They lie with a smile on their faces and seek your demise behind your back. If there were ever a time in American history when the people used their power, their votes, to rid society of corrupt evildoers, then this would be the time to take your stand and exercise your rights. Even then, we must question if voting is really free from corruption too.
Communities Against the South Runway
Via the Internet
Bring on the Dogs
Gay and outspoken? Round 'em up: The unfortunate situation that Fort Lauderdale now faces is that its mayor will cast a stain on this city's history, much as the mayors of Little Rock, Montgomery, and Jackson did on those cities' legacies ("C'mon, Get Happy!," Deirdra Funcheon, August 23). It is true that Naugle has not yet called out the snarling dogs or turned on the fire hoses to humiliate and keep gay people in their place. But if he could, I suspect he would not only have us cornered in terror but would lock us up. Instead, we get a condescending bucket of insensitive misinformation spewing from his pompous, ignorant, Christian-right mouth.
The real danger is that his spiteful arrogance encourages other bigoted, asinine hatemongers to come out of the woodwork. This is evident by the many e-mails he gets in support of his heinous accusations about gay public sex. The simple truth is that his words are no different from what one of those Jim Crow mayors was saying 50 years ago or how the Irish, Italians, and American Indians were disparaged a hundred years prior.
Kevin Miller
Fort Lauderdale
One man's art: Don't judge a book by its cover, unless it is a work of art. New Times continually comes out with cover art that grabs the attention and is worthy of an exhibition, particularly the photographic genius of C. Stiles! Funny, fun, and totally charming. The little fella in the tiara ("C'mon, Get Happy!," August 23) is a riot, but it is also great art, in my opinion.
Asa Boynton
Hollywood
Starving Artists
Two guys who need recognition: I enjoyed your review of Art Expressions Gallery ("Once More With Feeling," Michael Mills, August 23). I am a big fan of John Patrick Kelly. You mentioned him in your article. I just wanted to add that he has also won a few first-place awards, including last year's Starving Artist Show, and second place the two previous years there. I also agree with your praise of Alfred Phillips. He, like Kelly, is an extraordinarily talented painter, and I believe they are friends. You asked why someone does not give Phillips a one-man show. He has had one each year for a few now, and they have been good ones. I have to add that Kelly has also had a couple of one-man shows that were stunning to me. I am a huge fan of both artists, obviously. They both deserve more attention from the community.
Hughie Miller
Fort Lauderdale
Kentucky Blues
Ashland is clean and pure: Amy Guthrie's story regarding Powerball winner David Edwards ("Powerfall," August 16) told a sad story about a sad couple. Guthrie took an unfair shot at our city by referring to Ashland, Kentucky, as "a fading steel town." Ashland is a clean city, a good city to live in. We have two fine hospitals, a community and technical college, Paramount Arts Center, a YMCA, and Main Street, a downtown developmental program run by some very progressive people.
I only wish Guthrie had researched our city as thoroughly as she did the Edwards tragedy.
William "Mick" Sagraves
Ashland, Kentucky
It Ain't Just Hollerin'
The blues are hard to do: I agree with almost all of your article ("Blacks and the Blues," Jonathan Cunningham, July 5). I take great exception to the part where you state that it doesn't take a great deal of skill or vocal talent to perform the blues. Are you a musician? I perform the works of Robert Johnson, verbatim, as acknowledged by the late great Robert Lockwood Jr. There isn't a white man alive who can sing or play the blues like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Charley Patton, or Lonnie Johnson. If you are a musician, I'd like to see you try. If you are not, you should consult James Cotton (my friend), Hubert Sumlin (my daddy), BB King, KoKo Taylor, Keith Richards, and even Eric Clapton. They can all tell you about the skill involved in singin' and playin' the blues.
Rocky Lawrence
New Haven, Connecticut
