Missing insight
Shireen Liane has a right to not like the Electric Six (“The Friends of Jack White Chart Association,” Metro Times, Jan. 29-Feb. 4). However, she and some other music writers try to “out hip” each other by spending too much time talking about themselves. They seem to want us to know how inside, yet above the scene they are, while still getting their ass “groped” among the peons in a crowded venue.
Writers of this kind offer little musical insight, pro or con. Perhaps, lacking any real creative ability, they are content to coin cryptic new jargon to be understood by only the “hippest” among us, while they tell us how much they must suffer for their writing, like actually going to concerts and enduring crowds.
Perhaps a better UK correspondent can be found, preferably someone with greater depth, ability to review the music, and a sense of humor. —Jim Nawara, Beverly Hills
Save our structures
Thank you so very much to Casey Coston for the “Wither Madison-Lenox?” article (Metro Times, Feb. 5-11). This type of information needs to be brought to the public’s attention, especially people like myself, who truly love historic architecture.
I will be keeping an eye out to see what finally becomes of this structure. I pray that I won’t drive by a year or some from now and see a bundled-up figure, flagging me in to park. —Charisse M. Burks, Detroit
Good use of ink
I really enjoyed Sarah Klein’s tattoo article on Tom Renshaw (“Portrait of a tattoo artist,” Metro Times, Feb. 5-11).
Almost everyone I know who is tattooed loves to flash their art as something cool, something pretty, or just to make a statement about things they like. I had no idea this type of expression could be so emotional for so many others. My heart was touched by the stories, and I admit I was even teary-eyed.
What a great way to honor loved ones, and Tom Renshaw sounds definitely the man to do it. Thanks for featuring him — and the pictures were the best part. —Sarah Harrier, [email protected], Grand Rapids
Humor as medicine
Do you know how sick I am of reading articles about affirmative action in regards to U-M? Being an Ann Arbor resident who works on campus and has an Afro has added to this pain. So usually when I pick up a paper and see that headline, a small debilitating pain forms immediately above my left eye. But Keith A. Owens’ column (“Affirming cowardice,” Metro Times, Jan. 29-Feb. 4) made me laugh, which lessened the pain.
Thanks for writing something that took an honest look at Dubya’s latest actions with a bit of humor. I’m glad I live in a country where I can not only say how much I think he sucks, but I can e-mail it to you. Now can you write a commentary on the tax plan? —Sasha McLaughlin, [email protected], Ann Arbor
The pride is missing
I have been reading and enjoying Jack Lessenberry’s column over the past few weeks. Thank you, Jack, for your honesty.
Lately I’ve been feeling like if I have any thought contrary to what Bush Jr. says, then I’m a Communist or a supporter of terrorism. (I’m neither of these things.) When I think of the crew of the Columbia, I am proud to be an American. When I think about going to war with Iraq, I don’t feel proud to be an American. I feel ashamed.
All this war talk makes me feel like the shuttle disaster meant nothing. Where’s our compassion? Where’s our goodwill? There’s no common sense to what’s going on and it all makes me feel powerless as an American, because they’re gonna do it anyway. —Pedro Luis Martinez, Royal Oak
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