Letters to the Editor

A juicy story

Curt Guyette's article "Pulp friction" (Metro Times, Aug. 2) is the most rewarding piece of newspaper reporting (like old-school reporting) that I've experienced in metropolitan Detroit in ages, compared to the same old yawn-inducing harping found printed in The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press and The Oakland Press. It was a very painstaking and thorough article — an eye-peeling, alarmingly informative read. Thank you for the courage in printing it in just service to the public. —Grace Scavone, Walled Lake

In his latest column, "Giving up on democracy" (Metro Times, Aug. 16), Jack Lessenberry claims the Club for Growth is "shady and scary" while implying it is extremist and associated with religious fanatics. The club's publicly stated goal is to encourage fiscal responsibility within the federal government through sound tax policy and responsible spending. To achieve this goal, they focus on economic issues not social ones.

Like too many Republicans, Joe Schwarz is not fiscally conservative. In its latest ratings of congressional votes, the nonpartisan National Taxpayers Union gives Schwarz a less than satisfactory "C-" grade. Clearly, Schwarz does not support pro-growth policies. If the Republican Party is going to claim it is the party for smaller government, they need to start finding candidates who vote that way.

Lessenberry supports the liberal mind-set when it comes to government policy — confiscatory tax rates and cradle-to-grave social spending. This mind-set destroys economic freedom and individual liberty. But look at the bright side. If Joe was your man, just vote for the Democrat. You won't be able to tell the difference. —Steve Sutton, Farmington Hills

In reference to Jack Lessenberry's tag-on piece, "Take that, liberal wimps," I'm a little confused where his NRA-bashing stems from.

Were this any other opinion article on the subject, I'd just shrug, knowing his previously stated dislike for this or any other pro-gun organization. In this case, though, how exactly is the NRA to blame? To give the NRA points for a "victory" in this tragic shooting is unfair and somewhat disingenuous. Nobody won here. Whether one is pro or con, the argument has no bearing in this case.

The NRA is against gun control, yes, but not against gun safety. They're the first group to tell you (and I quote from their own Web site), "Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons." The police officer in question failed to adhere to this cardinal rule.

Please notice I said "police officer." Not "private citizen." Not "criminal." The last time I checked, even the most ardent gun-control supporters want police to be armed.

Also the last time I checked, the police are supposed to be the pillars of gun safety. The exact same incident could happen in any American city — any cop who ignores the rules of gun safety is as dangerous as the punk who ignores the same.

Perhaps instead of touting cries for more firearm restrictions, perhaps police should update and enforce their safety training? And perhaps they who choose to own guns should opt to do the same?

Now where Mr. Lessenberry and I agree: Oh, without doubt Mr. Anderson should be burning for hours if his negligence is proven. —Jonathon Kecskes, St. Clair Shores

Jack: You have hit a new low, even for a liberal, culture-of-death trumpeter. Your glee at being able to "stick it" to the NRA must have been too much for your faint heart.

Gloating over the horrible death of a baby is a sad and pathetic way to make a point. "The baby, who was named Kenneth Thomas, blew his own brains out."

Snappy prose there, pal. Screw the feelings of the family of the victim, you've got a point to make! But you are almost certainly 100 percent wrong. The NRA stands for, and teaches the principles of gun safety, including securing all firearms out of the reach of children. The hero of your cautionary tale, Louis Anderson, is a criminal and a fool. Was he charged, Jack? You failed to say. But I will bet that he was not a member of the NRA. Most cops aren't. So equating a fatal move by a stupid cop is not a slap at the NRA, it is only you hiding behind the First Amendment and taking cheap, self-serving and morbid shots at the Second. —Daryl St. Arno, Southfield, NRA member

PS — I'd like to thank Metro Times for one thing. Every week, on the way back from the range, I stop and grab a dozen or so copies. I spread them out on my workbench and clean my Glocks, shotgun and AK47 on them. The lack of serious content makes them very absorbent.

Mr. Lessenberry: You have been covering politics in Michigan for so many years, and you are still surprised at the results? Please, both parties are guilty of discouraging their fellow Americans from going to the polls — from the watered-down education of the children and young adults about voting to the insipid marketing campaigns that make the "It's got a Hemi" commercials look like Shakespeare. Throw in the inbreeding that both parties have been doing for the last 30 years and you know exactly why things are the way they are.

But I, as an American citizen, have to take some of the blame. As I was talking to some very rabid campaigners last Saturday at a post-primary barbeque, one very nice senior citizen bluntly asked, "Why haven't you gone to the local party meetings, if you are so bothered with American politics?" I truly did not have an answer for her then. If we truly have a government "of the people, for the people, by the people," then it is up to all of us, individually, to do something. Me, I need to look up the local number for the local party meeting. —Matthew A. Sawtell, Sterling Heights

Jane Slaughter's review of Seldom Blues ("Turf before surf, Metro Times, Aug. 2) was "brutal," and not my experience at all. I have been there on numerous occasions and continue to enjoy it very much. Chef Jerry Nottage puts a lot of effort into his creations, and is always willing to discuss them with the customers. Most chefs don't take the time to discuss preparation and recipes while working.

Now, I have to seriously question Jane Slaughter's other reviews. Her comment about smooth jazz was offensive to the many fans who obviously enjoy it. Tell her to go to Baker's instead if she is seeking traditional jazz. — Ronald C. Markoe, Detroit