SAVANNAH SUPPORT
Since Pete McCommons' "Pub Notes" [June 9] had me "traveling around the district on a smile and a shoeshine picking up endorsements from rural officials," please allow me to point out that my June 22 fund-raiser in Savannah is being hosted by some of that city's most prominent political, cultural and philanthropic names.
Gus Bell and Walter Carson, as well as my dad, Leo, are with the Chamber's select CEO council. Bell and Carson, along with my brother Scott, are also SEDA board members (Savannah Economic Development Authority). Gene Brooks is a leading trial lawyer, as are Leamon Holliday, Jeff Lasky and Brent Savage.
Ellis Cook, Clifton Jones and Kenneth Sadler are present aldermen. Edna Jackson, also an alderman, is mayor pro tem. David Jones is a former alderman. So is Dr. Clifford Hardwick, who is also a former president of Savannah State University.
Hugh Golson is the School Board President. Wade Herring and Lester Johnson are former Savannah Bar Association presidents.
In addition to Aldermen Jones, Jones, and Jackson, minority leaders include lawyers Sage Brown, who was in the first integrated senior class in Savannah's high schools, Stan Hines and Tammy Cox Stokes. Matthew Southall Brown is the pre-eminent African American pastor in Savannah and is also the head of my ministerial advisory committee. Wilson Scott is a minister. So is James Hudson who, along with Dr. Olivia Swanson, is a neighborhood association president.
Judy Jennings is the leading Sierra Club person in the coastal empire. She headed the screening committee. Tim Mackay is with the Longshoremen. Norton Melaver and Arnold and Sheldon Tenenbaum are Jewish community commercial and philanthropic leaders. Arnold and Sheldon's cousin Inez just won the South Carolina Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. She also contributed to my campaign. Harris Odell is one of two returning African-American county commissioners. Jim Pannell is a former state representative. Dr. Frank Rossiter just ran for mayor. Dr. Frank is a leader of the Irish community.
Mrs. Rex Templeton is the wife of Chatham's Democratic Committee chairman.
In all, some 62 leaders, friends and family are co-hosting the event.
Thanks.
Tony Center
Savannah

WHAT IT TAKES
I am an avid reader of the Flagpole every week partly because I am a member of a band (GrooveJoint) and I love to stay current on music news in Athens. However, the Flagpole also makes me think while it informs and that seems to be a rare talent in the news and printing industry. I read the two-part piece by Greg Coyle about the homeless. Although the story at times seemed somewhat glamorized, nonetheless the article caught my as well as other people in the music scene's attention and made us think. What I found most intriguing were the daily routines that the homeless go through. They may make their rounds in order to get high, or get fed, but it seems that they also do this to have some sort of normalcy and meaning to what would otherwise be a wasted existence to most people. This should show us two things: One, that all people want to belong, if not exactly in the way that society would have them, and Two, that there is a difference between humans and other animals and we recognize this whether consciously or subconsciously in the actions that we take to help other members of our race. I would like to emphasize the importance of the churches, groups and organizations that feed the homeless. Do some of these people have hidden agendas and self-righteous causes? Perhaps, but it is still getting people who might be hungry otherwise fed and that is what really matters. I would at last like to add that many bands in Athens are trying to do something for the less fortunate, such as Green Light Council. When they play a show they also raise cleaning supplies for the homeless shelter here in Athens. The point of my rambling is this: When I read the Flagpole I read of political bickering, world strife, environmental rape, but I also read of people who are continuing the endless endeavor for a harmonious tomorrow with our brothers and sisters. The people in Athens (with and without homes) have what it takes to change the city, state, region, country, hemisphere and world and that is: Compassion, Understanding, Education, and Music.
Zion is here, and it is what we make it.
Positive vibes to all.
David Titshaw
Athens

DRAFT BEER, NOT...
Attention men and women between the ages of 18 and 26, if you don't want to be forced to go to Iraq or Afghanistan or Korea or the Philippines, or wherever else the American military is currently or possibly conducting operations, then you need to contact your Senators and Representatives and voice your disapproval for SB 89 and HR 163, each of which is entitled Universal National Service Act of 2003. The purpose of this legislation is "To provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons in the United States, including women, perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes." That's right, they are planning on bringing back the draft, only with a few minor changes to the one that sparked such outrage in the '60s. This draft calls for the induction of women and also only allows college deferment until the end of the current semester. This means that you cannot get out of serving by being enrolled in college. These bills, if passed, are scheduled to be implemented by June 15, 2005. You can visit the Selective Service's website to view the budgetary and personnel increases that would allow the draft to go into effect as soon as possible. If you feel that the draft is not something to which you wish to be subject, then it is your duty to contact your elected officials.
Richard Worthington
Athens

MAGNIFIQUE!
Just a pat on the back to ALL the folks involved in the Town and Gown production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses. The house was only half full on June 4. If you were going to go and didn't, kick yourself. You missed a First Rate production. Thanx.
Charlie J.
Hull

RIPPED OFF
I wholeheartedly believe in the right to free speech. I am very dismayed at the recent theft of my bumper sticker. The bumper sticker said "Broke At Home Hated Abroad" with a crossed-out picture of George Bush on it. Of course I knew that this sticker would be blasphemous to the devout Bushefile, yet I trusted that in our little community conflicting ideas are able to coexist. Every time I see a Bush in '04 sticker I really want to rip it off, but I resist the temptation. Dissent is a form of patriotism and everyone should express their opinions because it allows for more possible solutions to the problems that plague humanity.
Melanie Carlson
Athens

SHAKE IT
A while back there was a fuss about the fact that people go to great shows here in Athens and don't dance. Since the Krush Girls arrived on the scene, more people are dancing than ever. Murphy's Law takes over from here, though: Friday night's show at the 40 Watt was super but there were people in the middle of the dance floor just standing with a drink, rather nonchalantly as though they were at the bar. Come on, people! I understand if you're a masochist that wants to be stepped on or elbowed in the eye, or if you were awestruck by the painted plyboard 40 Watt lightbulb behind the stage, but give me a break! I paid six bucks to shake my ass with another rump shaker, not with a stick-in-the-mud holding a Bud Light and a cell phone. Thanks for letting me rant.
Renna
Athens