Love-Hate Mail

Taking a vocationAs usual, I enjoyed your article “The Wrong Test” (Garrigan, May 22). Mr. Coverstone comes across as very erudite, self-possessed and somewhat egotistical—a great combination for a member of the debate team. But in my opinion, what has been lost to high school students is an opportunity for a vocational education. It was pioneered in the late 1920s for non-academic-inclined students who had no interest in a classic education and were subsequently problem students and dropouts with little future. The intent was to train them for skilled job opportunities.GEORGE HALEYgeotenn@att.net (Nashville)

Avoiding a SceneAs a local business owner, I want to express my recent irritation and frustration with the Scene. The repeated use of expletives/curse words in the Scene has gone way past annoying and is now costing you. My business will no longer be purchasing advertising with your publication. I will also encourage other businesses to do the same. I am not sure when alternative became vulgar, but it is not impressive, informative or necessary.

Secondly, I do not find most liberals to be law breakers, but in your editorial comments (Confederacy of Dunces, May 8), you seem to be saying that you endorse illegal activity. I am not going to expound on this issue—you know exactly what I mean. Illegal aliens are illegal. They have broken the law, and those of us who are mad about that rail against the criminals, not Mexicans in general. Cinco de Mayo celebrations among Americans of Mexican heritage is a good thing and is a part of the American story. Breaking the law is not.

Thirdly, recent special sections have proven to be useless and poorly planned. Your House & Hammock feature—if it can be called that—had no introduction page, idiotic photos (the $0.99 plastic pot plant as the only photo in an article about container gardening?) and irresponsible ad placements for those of us who spent money and time supporting the feature. Stores involved in the feature didn’t even get listed so folks would know where to shop—high school newspaper editing and management. Good riddance, Liz.

I will watch from a non-advertising distance to see if changes come with new staff, but I seriously doubt they will.RICHARD EDWARDSrichierichnash@aol.com (Nashville)