Keith A. Owens' column ("Sharpton for futility," MT, May 30-June 5) referred to Bush getting what he deserves and said "If you steal something." Do you mean Bush stole the election? Your editors let you write that? Are we ever going to hear the end of these sore losers whining and complaining? What about the details of Jeb and Katherine's voter purge? Florida didn't follow its own law when it did not manually count over-votes on Election Day where intent of the voter was evident. Madame Butterfly was a Republican, then an independent, then designed the butterfly ballot and now she is back to being Republican.
The U.S. Supreme Court stepped in to overrule the Florida Supreme Court and stop all this vote-counting foolishness. The major media corporations gave us all we needed to know in the headlines while explaining in depth how such a simplistic notion as counting all the votes won't cut it. But Bush got 50.5 million votes nationally, Gore 51.0 million and Nader 2.7 million Maybe Bush stole Florida Maybe the Republicans stole Tennessee Now Bush gets to run one third of the federal government and appoint judges for all the backlogged vacancies that the Republicans wouldn't let Clinton fill. —Dan Walker, Southfield
Overlooked history
I was reading the column by Jack Lessenberry about the history of Highland Park ("Why Highland Park matters," MT, June 6-12) and I was amazed. I knew that it had been overlooked for years now when it came down to revenue and as a place of any significance, but I never realized that people were overlooking so much history. I never saw much of Highland Park other than the rundown, burned-out, vacant houses and empty lots that were around Oakland Avenue. Of course Highland Park has its share of beautiful houses, some of which can contend with those in Indian Village, but to find them you have to look beyond the ones that stand empty and vandalized.
I hope that the Ford family realizes the significance of the Highland Park Model T Plant. I applaud Chrysler for giving to Highland Park after moving, proving that it's there to do more than leech the manpower and work hours from the city before leaving it dried up and dependant.
Thank you Mr. Lessenberry for the eye-opening history of this city within the city. —Victoria Baker, Grand Rapids
Gospel truth
Thanks to Ann Mullen for letting the Rev. Da Vita McCallister's voice come through so clear and unencumbered ("Two troubled journeys & a moment of truth," MT, June 13-19). That woman can preach. She has the gifts and graces, as we say in the church. How weird and wonderful to hear the gospel, unabashed and unapologetic, in the pages of the Metro Times. —Bill Wylie-Kellermann, Detroit
Meaningful blessings
I am a member of God, Self and Neighbor Ministries in Atlanta, and have had the opportunity to grow in fellowship with the Rev. McCallister, who attended the ministry while studying in Atlanta. I had the pleasure of watching her grow as an individual and in her ministry. There was personal sadness but also a joyful heart, when she left Atlanta to return to Michigan to join Central United Methodist Church.
It is a blessing to read such a realistic and meaningful article on the Rev. McCallister and the United Methodist Church. My only lament in reading the piece is that the quotes from her sermon left me missing the intelligent, spiritually uplifting and "down home" logical nature of her sermons. If there were anything that could possible sway me to trade in my Georgia Peach status to become a Yankee, it would definitely be the prospect on sitting in a pew at the Central United Methodist Church to her this woman preach every Sunday morning. She has been blessed with a gift to teach and to lead; maybe by some miraculous calling from God or maybe just an unexplainable gift that one knows to be so when her message seemingly pours down into one's spirit. —Tiffany Courtney-Forbes, [email protected], Atlanta, Ga.
Relax and enjoy
Aaron Warshaw’s review of the new Radiohead album (MT, June 13-19) was the most eloquent review I have read from anyone ever, I think. A fair assessment and portrayal of a truly great album from a truly great band. You don't sound like a homer. You come across as trying to tell listeners to just relax with their objections and quips long enough to fully enjoy what artists at their peak(till next album) produce for us. The best thing about this piece is that it feels like you and the reader are sitting at table having a discussion/disagreement about the album. All in all, a job well done. Keep it up. —Steve Rakidzi, [email protected], LaSalle, Ontario, Canada
