From You
Aug 20, 2003
Letters
CHEAP SHOT
While I enjoyed reading through David Martin's feature covering his wild trip through Prague [Aug. 13], I feel I must respond to his unfortunate characterization of the world-class beer available there. He made four references to "cheap" (and "dollar a pint") beer in his piece. Surely he was referring to the golden Pilsner-style lager widely available in taverns and clubs in and around Prague - much of which is directly from the city of Pilsen itself (Pilsner Urquell). Martin's excitement over a low-priced mug of lager (it's served in half-liter glassware, not "pints," by the way) blurs the distinction between "cheap" beer a la cheaply made, low-quality lager full of adjuncts and preservatives and "inexpensive" beer made with care in the traditional Czech fashion with traditional Czech ingredients (Moravian malt, Saaz hops, soft Bohemian water, etc.).
The "liquid gold," as some older Czechs call it, is too precious to be heralded as "cheap beer."
An Athens beer enthusiast,
Name Withheld
Athens
THERE, I'VE SAID IT
I write this letter to the Flagpole because I can use the term "fucking turdheads" in reference to UGA and the UGA Athletic Association. I received my rejection letter and refund today for my season football tickets. Although I've had season tickets for 20 years (up until last year) and I'm a graduate of UGA (1976), it all comes down to "how much money have you sent us." During a telephone conversation last year with Freddy Jones, Associate Athletic Director for Ticket Operations, I was told that being a UGA alumni with a tradition of supporting Georgia through ticket purchases and enthusiasm for the Bulldogs for oh so many years doesn't amount to a hill of beans - or a pile of dog shit in this case. "It's a business - it's all about money" were Freddy's exact words. If this is true, why are freshmen oriented to embrace the "tradition of the Bulldogs" - complete with a barking demonstration by UGA President Michael Adams (as noted in the daily paper in 2002)? Bulldogs and barking are a part of Georgia athletics. Is UGA nothing but a two-faced institution? The face of tradition and academics and rah-rah and Go Dogs while you're a student, but tough shit, send us some money if you want to be a part of the tradition after you graduate? The letter states "we appreciate your loyal support of Georgia athletics." In this case "support" means "send us extra money because the cost of a season ticket isn't enough to make you a part of the tradition." I suppose that Osama Bin Laden could send a big enough donation and get some prime seats right next to the president's box. If Georgia athletics is indeed just a business these days - and according to Freddy it is - then Mr. Adams should stop mixing it in with being a student and tell it like it is from the start. Thanks for letting me vent.
Alan
Athens
CITY DOPE
Yeah! This New Yorker is glad the City Dope is up and running at full steam ahead. I have missed its curt retorts done McCommons style. Thanks, Pete!
Christine
NYC
REAL RADIO
You might consider telling your audience to check out streaming audio radio programs with a progressive/populist attitude at one of the programs produced by The i.e. America Radio Network (www.ieamericaradio.com), or tell them about Democracy Now! (www.democracynow.org/ ), a national, daily, independent news program originated by by Pacifica Radio (www.pacifica.org/).
Wouldn't it be great if we could get stuff like this on Athens radio stations?
Skip Hulett
Athens
LISTEN TO CITIZENS
I read the "Michael - Heidi" piece in last week's Flagpole [Aug. 13] and have seen email correspondence between her and some others. Judging from this, it appears that many of the Mayor's opinions seem to be based on her own personal experience and the experiences of her friends and neighbors. Identifying with those who are most like us is a common human trait. But most of us don't run for office on a platform to listen to all sides, as is stated on Mayor Davison's campaign web site:
"The Mayor's responsibility to the community is to ensure that issues brought before the Commission have been given a proper hearing and are fully addressed. The public has the right to be heard, to feel confident that issues will brought forward for full exploration and consideration, to know that open and fair discussion will take place, and to be clear about their commissioners' stands on issues of concern through the voting process... "
"As Mayor, I promise to safeguard the influence and authority that has been entrusted to me through your support and confidence. I will use this privilege wisely, always keeping in mind my responsibility to the community as a whole and to each and every person in it. (www.electheidi.com/issues/duties.php)
The inability to listen to all sides is what made folks so angry with former mayor Doc Eldridge. He listened to people like him but not to those unlike him. Then he wondered where his base went. There's no difference between this behavior and that of representatives we voted out in the last election for refusing to listen to legitimate public concerns. It's the same old story, just with a different set of people and interests to look after.
An unlawfully housed former supporter,
Name Withheld
Athens
THANKS FOR HELP
Hello. Just wanted to send this to put in paper. In August, 2002 I was having a really bad time in my life. I was at the end of my rope, with no job because of the economy. I was just evicted from my apartment. And the last part of August, 2002, I had a nervous breakdown in my life, with nowhere to go. After a week of being in the hospital to get myself together, I came back to Athens. I have always heard about the Salvation Army, so the second week in September of 2002, I came to the Salvation Army. And as of today I'm glad God led me to the Salvation Army. They helped me get back on track and get my life going again. I would like to thank Major George Price and his wife and also thank Juanita Archer for all her help. And thank you, too, Gary Williams. And just thank you to all at the Salvation Army. As of today I have a place to live, but I still go by and volunteer at the Salvation Army and do whatever I can to help out. In closing I would like to say thank you to God for the Salvation Army.
Radio Ray
Email
While I enjoyed reading through David Martin's feature covering his wild trip through Prague [Aug. 13], I feel I must respond to his unfortunate characterization of the world-class beer available there. He made four references to "cheap" (and "dollar a pint") beer in his piece. Surely he was referring to the golden Pilsner-style lager widely available in taverns and clubs in and around Prague - much of which is directly from the city of Pilsen itself (Pilsner Urquell). Martin's excitement over a low-priced mug of lager (it's served in half-liter glassware, not "pints," by the way) blurs the distinction between "cheap" beer a la cheaply made, low-quality lager full of adjuncts and preservatives and "inexpensive" beer made with care in the traditional Czech fashion with traditional Czech ingredients (Moravian malt, Saaz hops, soft Bohemian water, etc.).
The "liquid gold," as some older Czechs call it, is too precious to be heralded as "cheap beer."
An Athens beer enthusiast,
Name Withheld
Athens
THERE, I'VE SAID IT
I write this letter to the Flagpole because I can use the term "fucking turdheads" in reference to UGA and the UGA Athletic Association. I received my rejection letter and refund today for my season football tickets. Although I've had season tickets for 20 years (up until last year) and I'm a graduate of UGA (1976), it all comes down to "how much money have you sent us." During a telephone conversation last year with Freddy Jones, Associate Athletic Director for Ticket Operations, I was told that being a UGA alumni with a tradition of supporting Georgia through ticket purchases and enthusiasm for the Bulldogs for oh so many years doesn't amount to a hill of beans - or a pile of dog shit in this case. "It's a business - it's all about money" were Freddy's exact words. If this is true, why are freshmen oriented to embrace the "tradition of the Bulldogs" - complete with a barking demonstration by UGA President Michael Adams (as noted in the daily paper in 2002)? Bulldogs and barking are a part of Georgia athletics. Is UGA nothing but a two-faced institution? The face of tradition and academics and rah-rah and Go Dogs while you're a student, but tough shit, send us some money if you want to be a part of the tradition after you graduate? The letter states "we appreciate your loyal support of Georgia athletics." In this case "support" means "send us extra money because the cost of a season ticket isn't enough to make you a part of the tradition." I suppose that Osama Bin Laden could send a big enough donation and get some prime seats right next to the president's box. If Georgia athletics is indeed just a business these days - and according to Freddy it is - then Mr. Adams should stop mixing it in with being a student and tell it like it is from the start. Thanks for letting me vent.
Alan
Athens
CITY DOPE
Yeah! This New Yorker is glad the City Dope is up and running at full steam ahead. I have missed its curt retorts done McCommons style. Thanks, Pete!
Christine
NYC
REAL RADIO
You might consider telling your audience to check out streaming audio radio programs with a progressive/populist attitude at one of the programs produced by The i.e. America Radio Network (www.ieamericaradio.com), or tell them about Democracy Now! (www.democracynow.org/ ), a national, daily, independent news program originated by by Pacifica Radio (www.pacifica.org/).
Wouldn't it be great if we could get stuff like this on Athens radio stations?
Skip Hulett
Athens
LISTEN TO CITIZENS
I read the "Michael - Heidi" piece in last week's Flagpole [Aug. 13] and have seen email correspondence between her and some others. Judging from this, it appears that many of the Mayor's opinions seem to be based on her own personal experience and the experiences of her friends and neighbors. Identifying with those who are most like us is a common human trait. But most of us don't run for office on a platform to listen to all sides, as is stated on Mayor Davison's campaign web site:
"The Mayor's responsibility to the community is to ensure that issues brought before the Commission have been given a proper hearing and are fully addressed. The public has the right to be heard, to feel confident that issues will brought forward for full exploration and consideration, to know that open and fair discussion will take place, and to be clear about their commissioners' stands on issues of concern through the voting process... "
"As Mayor, I promise to safeguard the influence and authority that has been entrusted to me through your support and confidence. I will use this privilege wisely, always keeping in mind my responsibility to the community as a whole and to each and every person in it. (www.electheidi.com/issues/duties.php)
The inability to listen to all sides is what made folks so angry with former mayor Doc Eldridge. He listened to people like him but not to those unlike him. Then he wondered where his base went. There's no difference between this behavior and that of representatives we voted out in the last election for refusing to listen to legitimate public concerns. It's the same old story, just with a different set of people and interests to look after.
An unlawfully housed former supporter,
Name Withheld
Athens
THANKS FOR HELP
Hello. Just wanted to send this to put in paper. In August, 2002 I was having a really bad time in my life. I was at the end of my rope, with no job because of the economy. I was just evicted from my apartment. And the last part of August, 2002, I had a nervous breakdown in my life, with nowhere to go. After a week of being in the hospital to get myself together, I came back to Athens. I have always heard about the Salvation Army, so the second week in September of 2002, I came to the Salvation Army. And as of today I'm glad God led me to the Salvation Army. They helped me get back on track and get my life going again. I would like to thank Major George Price and his wife and also thank Juanita Archer for all her help. And thank you, too, Gary Williams. And just thank you to all at the Salvation Army. As of today I have a place to live, but I still go by and volunteer at the Salvation Army and do whatever I can to help out. In closing I would like to say thank you to God for the Salvation Army.
Radio Ray
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