Cowboy boots, not ruby-red slippers: Thank God someone in this old-boy's network we call a city has the huevos to pick apart the pile of turd known as the Old Post Office plan [Jim Nesbitt, "Smoke and Numbers," May 15]. The Post-Disgrace ain't touching it. They're in bed with the rest of the great white fathers. Joe Pulitzer must be rolling in his grave if he knows how the P-D is whitewashing this piece of fecal matter. The powers that be at the RFT need to know that the St. Louis public wants a laser beam focused on this deal and the topic is not dead. Continue directing our attention to the man behind the curtain.
Ajay Zutshi
St. Louis
Bluff Called
Head east? Nah: I admit that I rarely agree with your point of view. But your article [Ray Hartmann, "The People's Stadium Bill," May 15] was perfect in describing the current state of the proposed new stadium. One point I would add is that these owners would never build a stadium anywhere but downtown because of risking future revenue. They want state money because they are unwilling to risk their own for revenue gains. A move to Illinois could cause their attendance to decrease over time because many suburbanites consider the East Side too far away and too dangerous. No way these guys risk the consistent three-million-fan attendance per year for a potential gain from a new stadium in Illinois. They don't want a stadium in Illinois.
Michael Bishop
via the Internet
Radar Dart
You're right -- she loves hate mail: It's a well-known fact in the St. Louis journalism community that writers at the Riverfront Times are often encouraged and even complimented by hate mail they receive. This letter may be construed as one of them, though it's not intended to reward anyone. Consider the unprofessionalism of René Spencer Saller's quote from this week's "Radar Station" [May 15] singling out Jeff Harlan's name in bold print. Whatever the grudge she has against him doesn't warrant this self-serving, underhanded little dig solidly set in the stone of printer's ink. It only proves further that Ms. Saller doesn't seem to care so much about St. Louis music as much as she cares about publicly retaliating against people who don't share her musical opinions. And if you don't share her taste and philosophy about music, well then, it could be your name to wind up in next week's column.
Carrie Lindsey
via the Internet
Surely You Joust
Off with his head: You have apparently missed the magic and fun that the Renaissance Faire provides to so many patrons seeking a reprieve from the world of computers, traffic jams and air pollution [Byron Kerman, "Knight Trash," May 8]. A Renaissance Faire is not only made up of fried food and buxom wenches, it has a certain comradery that is difficult if not impossible to come across in the daily world. The magic comes from the ideals of the time: courtly love, chivalry, romance, honor, respect -- the things this society severely lacks but desperately needs to embrace. It also brings a bit of history to life. The weapons of old, the social castes that were in place in society, the use of a monarchy instead of a democracy, the influence of religion on all aspects of life can all be found to be "living" at a Renaissance Faire. Just because you do not understand the many aspects of the Faire does not give you the right to judge people on their attitude or their weight. Would you like to be deemed an "asshole" when you are in the middle of a difficult task and you don't have time for chitchat? Sharpening a blade on a wheel is not as easy as it appears. And the weight of a couple getting married is not the focus of a wedding. The celebration of a couple's love and commitment to one another, no matter what their appearance, is the only thing that matters. How shallow are you? Methinks thou should be thrown into the stocks.
Anna Timm
Kenosha, Wisconsin
On Target
Straight-shooting surprise: As a longtime (and proud) member of America's gun culture and as a pro-Bill of Rights activist, I saw the cover of the Riverfront Times and thought, "Uh-oh, here we go again ..." Upon opening the paper to the article, however, I was more than pleasantly surprised [Jeannette Batz, "Firepower," May 1]. Where I least expected to find it, there was an article about the gun culture which was surprisingly balanced, fair and accurate! The author has gone far beyond what so often passes these days for journalism. In fact, she has revived my faith in the idea that journalistic integrity still exists somewhere. She made an honest effort to present this part of the American cultural landscape as it really is -- the hunter; the target shooter; those who, recognizing the obligation as well as the right of self-defense, choose to own firearms for that purpose; and those who recognize that the right to keep and bear arms protects, among other things, her right to speak and write as she will. I suppose I should not have been surprised -- after all, the RFT prides itself on being the voice of the less enfranchised, less wealthy and less politically connected.
John A. Wolf
Rock Hill
Correction
The St. Louis Clergy Coalition decided at meetings held on April 18 and 25 to delay a presentation by supporters of Citizens for Home Rule until after the group's summer hiatus. The dates were incorrect in the May 1 "Speedloader" column.
