From You
Letters
From You!
Bonnaroo
originally published July 19, 2006
In response to Austen Mikulka’s commentary regarding his experience at this year’s Bonnaroo Music Festival [“Not Fade Away,” July 5], I pose the following question to the author: Did you make sure to pick up a nice, tall double latte with cream from Starbucks while you were there? Perhaps unroll your Berber fleece blanket and sit listening to My Morning Jacket while sipping?
Austen, I make no bones about one’s personal taste in music - it is an individual, Jah-given right to ingest whatever moves you. I simply didn’t know that mainstream, homogenized-for-the-masses, corporate-sponsored entertainment was your bag (baby).
It certainly isn’t the bag of the so-called “hippies” of which you speak in your piece. That’s why they stayed at home this year and 100,000 clean-minded, golf shirt-wearing Americans who wish not to be challenged showed up instead to hear Tom Petty (granted a true rocker, but not a Bonnaroo act in my humble opinion) and the other major players chosen by marketing types for a calculated ROI.
Bonnaroo can bite it for going the way of the mainstream. Not because my beloved Phil, Keller and Trey (I’ve met them all in the past at these “hippie” events, therefore I feel comfortable using their first names) weren’t there to satisfy my dirty hippie cravings, but because the event promoters went for the buck and the guaranteed draw.
Sure, Radiohead is a seminal act that needs to be seen by more people. Do they really? They’re frickin’ HUGE the entire planet over. Go to Reading (U.K.) if you want to see Radiohead play in front of 100,000.
I could go on with comparisons, but then it’s a my taste vs. your taste thing. Not gonna do it. What I will ask is why you felt it necessary to equate your successful and enjoyable experience to the lack of a certain segment of the music-listening populous? It just doesn’t add up.
And to you, Flagpole: Please, please, PLEASE take a look at the message you are facilitating in repeatedly calling out the hippie/ jamband/ non-indie rock crowd and characterizing them in a negative light through your contributing writers’ commentary. It seems your staff (permanent and freelance) will take any opportunity to disrespect this viable slice of the musical pie - from feature articles to Mr. Lamb’s tongue-in-cheek (read: chronically humorless and self-aggrandizing) rips on the scene and its bands in Threats & Promises.
Do you guys remember trashing Widespread’s first two albums in print? I’ll produce the articles if you like. A little credence and decorum, if you will. We’re all (insert higher consciousness/ religious icon’s name here) children and deserve to be treated as such.
Dan Roth AthensLetters
From You!
Bean Curd Props
originally published July 19, 2006
I think it’s hilarious how fired up some people in this town have gotten over Missy Kulik’s Tofu Baby comics. It’s actually really cool that a four-panel strip in a free weekly entertainment rag has elicited such an emotional response in its readers. Somebody is even making their own “alternate” Tofu Baby comics, (found in various places downtown) depicting her doing things the Flagpole would never be able to print. Wow! To think that a single small piece of bean curd could be responsible for so much.
S. Maynard AthensLetters
From You!
Traffic Stop
originally published July 19, 2006
I was driving down Atlanta Highway the other day when Officer Kenneth Beavers of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department pulled up behind me at a stop light. When the light changed and I proceeded forward, he turned on his lights and siren. I immediately pulled into the Walgreen’s parking lot and was informed that my license plate frame (which has been on my car for six years) covers the numbers on my tag decal and therefore creates a safety hazard in violation of State Code 40-2-41. The license plate frame says “Girl Scouts, Unlimited Possibilities” and was presented to me as a Girl Scout Leader appreciation gift in 2000. Because my three children were in the car with me, I bit my tongue and responded to Officer Beavers very respectfully, explaining that I had no idea that license plate frames were illegal. I offered to take the dangerous accessory off my car immediately, but was told that it could wait until I got home. Officer Beavers explained that license plate frames are made for the front bumper only, even though the state of Georgia does not issue license plates for the front of cars. He did not issue me a warning, but instead gave me a ticket! On my way home, I counted four cars with license plate frames on their back bumpers.
I was shocked that I had been issued a citation for such a ridiculous offense. My 13-year-old daughter pointed out that my bumperstickers might have had something to do with it. I have two anti-war and anti-Bush bumper stickers on my car and I can’t help but wonder if Officer Beavers selectively enforces laws when he disagrees with the political views of our city’s citizens. I will appear in Municipal Court on Aug. 6 to argue my case. It is not the $15 fine I mind, it is the harassment and intimidation that bothers me.
Laura Davis AthensEditor’s Note: Flagpole checked in with Officer Beavers, who says Ms. Davis’ ticket had nothing to do with politics or her bumperstickers. As an officer assigned full-time to the traffic unit, he writes a lot of tickets for all kinds of violations, he says. Beavers also says that some rear license plate frames that do not conceal tag information are legal in Georgia.
Editor’s Note: Flagpole checked in with Officer Beavers, who says Ms. Davis’ ticket had nothing to do with politics or her bumperstickers. As an officer assigned full-time to the traffic unit, he writes a lot of tickets for all kinds of violations, he says. Beavers also says that some rear license plate frames that do not conceal tag information are legal in Georgia.
Letters
From You!
Ann Coulter? Funny?
originally published July 19, 2006
After reading Kris Langley’s letter [“Coulter Dangerous?” July 5], I have to ask how the hell can you compare Ann Coulter to Bill Hicks? I understand the “two sides of the same coin” point she is trying to make, but they are not even the same currency.
First of all, Bill Hicks was a COMEDIAN. He was billed as such and did stand-up where his audience knew he was trying to make them laugh, no matter how far out he might take them. And Hicks knew when the crowd got restless and did not want to hear any more politics, he could always tell a dick joke and then riff on porn and drugs for a while. Ann Coulter is as funny as the pancreatic cancer which killed Bill. Her act consists of repeating the same trite right-wing bullshit over and over again, becoming hysterical when necessary to end any debate once she realizes she is in over her head. She may be trying to elicit an evil grin, but she is not kidding and her audience knows it. Coulter might be called a pundit, but even polite feminists simply refer to her as a cunt. If it were not for the efforts of many of the people she puts down, she would not even have her job. Instead of appearing on talk shows and bookshelves, she would be fetching Rush Limbaugh’s coffee and getting his prescriptions filled.
Secondly, Hicks was an original who refused to sell out, even to his own detriment. Because he would not soften his stance or tone down his act to appeal to the masses, he never enjoyed great commercial success. He died with an ever-growing cult following, but still in relative obscurity. Coulter has yet another bestseller because she is just recycling exactly what her humorless audience wants to hear. She poses on the cover like some kind of vampire Eva Braun neocon wet dream. And it sells millions of books. And just like nearly every other number one book, film, television show, or song in this country, it is a complete piece of shit. She is in it simply for the money and no publicity is bad publicity. There is no risk in beating up on pacifists.
So yes, we must allow all free speech no matter how inane and yes, she is really too stupid to be dangerous, but please do not compare her to Bill Hicks. The only legitimate comparison I ever hope to be able to make between them would be that she, too, died a painful death at a relatively young age. Just kidding. No, I’m not.
Dave Register AthensLetters
From You!
Liberal Bed-Wetters
originally published July 19, 2006
I’m just now reading your column regarding the Donkeys, gay marriage and Ralph Reed [Pub Notes, July 5]. By now, you must be even more frustrated than usual given that the Georgia Supreme Court actually overturned the ruling of the liberal Superior Court judge who had ruled the Georgia gay marriage amendment unconstitutional. The premise of your piece was that you’d vote Republican if the two Donkeys running for Gov. didn’t object to a special session rewriting the amendment. You must be particularly annoyed that a Supreme Court led by liberal bed-wetter struck down the judge’s ruling - a black female bed-wetter at that. As you opine in your editorial, it’s tough being a Donkey these days. Let me suggest that you go ahead and vote for Cagle in the Republican primary because Ralph’s going to win anyway, and this will get your blood pressure up even higher. I’m not a big Ralph fan either, Pete, but anybody who can upset the bed-wetters so thoroughly is alright by me and must be doing something right. I was looking forward to having the opportunity to vote against gay marriage again, though, so I’m somewhat disappointed by the Sears court’s ruling. Not that I’m anti-gay mind you, I’m just anti any state-sanctioned gay marriage. And Pete, do I have to remind you that the anti-gay marriage amendment was approved by a majority of voters in ATHENS, GA of all places? Do really think the majority of voters in Athens are gay-bashers just because they aren’t in favor of gay marriage? One thing you and I can agree on you touched on in your editorial, though, and that is that Donkeys are gutless and afraid. And I would add that you all are mostly just PATHETIC, WHINEY LOSERS. Kris Langley of Athens rightly points out in your Letters section that Donkeys are also hypocrites [“Coulter Dangerous?” July 5]. You all believe in free speech for liberal bed-wetters like Bill Hicks - whoever that this, but not people like Ann Coulter.
Matthew R. Collins EmailLetters
From You!
Why The Paranoia?
originally published July 19, 2006
Why, in a broad-minded, progressive town that houses the largest university in many states (certainly one of the oldest), why in a town that proudly supports “diversity,” free thought, and the “Arts”- why are the City Fathers almost paranoid about photographers (as I am and have been for 34 years), all up in arms threatening to “run a person in” to jail who is recording on film, digital or canvas images - anyone found inside the Oconee Hill Cemetery recording images that should be preserved for history? I am aware there has been vandalism there and that is most unfortunate. But do the persons who are so upset at artists and photographers really think that photographers, tourists and the like are destroying the cemetery? Well, with their hare-brain thinking, maybe they do think we are the villains.
Maybe I am speaking too loudly. But I proudly already have about 500 images made in this beautiful old cemetery over the years. They are mostly on Kodachrome, which means they will last a long time. I have no intention of selling or trading with persons who have similar interest.
However, the many sites on the Internet have a few images made within that cemetery. Almost all have received good critiques and no one was “taken advantage” of while the image was being made. In other words, dear council committee, no dead person has been exploited in my photos.
I am sure there are many images around by many photographers and artists if the truth is known. Among a few well-known photographers who have photographed Oconee Hill was the late, great Edward Weston. Of course to the uninformed, his name matters not.
The huge old cemeteries in Augusta, GA and famous Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, GA have experienced vandalism. But they have not closed out artists and photographers. So has Arlington Cemetery been vandalized for that matter.
I challenge the city “Fathers and Mothers” to reconsider their ridiculous policy. Again, artists are not the threat to Oconee Hill.
I also challenge as many who will, new UGA students to go in and look around. In case you do not know, the old cemetery is directly behind famous Sanford Stadium. As if you want to take photos or sketches is strictly up to the individual.
I sum this up by saying that political correctness is a scourge and a disgrace!
Chuck Freeman EmailLetters
From You!
Veggie Grub
originally published July 19, 2006
Cheers to Hillary Brown for her Grub Notes column chock full of tasty criticism. There’s nothing I hate more than a picky eater, but Hillary seems as adventurous with the food she reviews as she is eloquent in her writing. Now that I feel like I have given enough praise to prevent myself from sounding like a jerk, I have to give one complaint. Never, in all the Grub Notes that I have read, has Hillary eaten anything slightly vegetarian. If I was the only vegetarian/ vegan in town, then I would understand the lack of coverage; however, the town is infected with them. To all you vegetarians/ vegans(especially new to town): Wouldn’t it be great to have someone out there, scoping out new and old restaurants, figuring out what’s really vegetarian or what just had the chunks of meat taken out of it by hand after you sent it back once before? We need a vegetarian food critic in this town. Heck, I’ll be the guinea pig. I’ll be the soy to your milk, and the nutritional to your yeast.
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