Complaint

originally published May 2, 2007

The Classic Center needs money, but Widespread Panic shows are a foolish way to get it. Prior to arriving in Athens, I was lured to a “Rainbow Gathering,” like these “Deadhead,” “Rainbow Family, ” Spreadhead“ types frequent. I got lice, pinworms and Shigella dysentery from these sociopathic slobs, many of whom never bathe, and live in cars. (On trust fund money, as likely as not.) At the ER, the physician said it was a specific strain of Shigella known as the ” Rainbow Runs,“ peculiar to this group, and not found elsewhere on the planet! Topping that, Bubonic Plague (yes, the infamous Black Death) has even been found in this crowd!

It was foolish to use absorbent cloth on the Classic Center seats. (Instead of wipe-able vinyl.) It’s even ” foolisher“ to let those who despise all norms of civilized human behavior sit in them, endangering subsequent users. At the recent Robert Osborne Film Festival, my enjoyment of The Sound of Music was greatly diminished by the nauseating, reeking stench that I was sitting in. Today, I’m sure, it’s much, much worse!

I’m sure I’m not alone. Eventually, the loss of funds from those who don’t want their clothes (or car interiors) all stunk up with human (and animal) excrement, rotting bodily fluids, etc., will negate any monetary profit the Panic shows generate. Besides, it’s just plain nasty!

Suggestion: Thoroughly clean the Classic Center seats (or, better yet, re-upholster them with vinyl) and let all such future shows be held at the county fairgrounds, by the dump, where nobody minds, and the sun, wind and rain will sanitize things.

Gordon Lee Stelter

Athens