Love-Hate Mail
Meet the new Scene...
Although I realize all too well that I'm not your "target reader" (I'm 69 years old and live in Mt. Juliet), I have to let you know that I'm delighted to see favorites such as "Suburban Turmoil," "Helter Shelter" and...the crossword puzzle! Finally! For years I looked forward to that NY Times puzzle and was crushed when it vanished. Then it was back for a short period then gone again.
Anyhow, my family and friends are all happy to see the Scene getting back to all the things we loved about it for so many years. Thanks.
Diane Cull
Mt. Juliet
...same as the old Scene
Congratulations on the new look and feel of the Scene. The magazine quality paper and print makes a huge difference in the perceived quality of the paper—very nice touch. The bad news is, unless your editorial slant does become more conservative and reflective of Nashville's overwhelming conservative population, the Scene will continue to "barely break even."
Under the Yankee liberals that loved Algore (who lost this state by 11 percent and whom most people on the street can't stand) and everything socialistic, the paper suffered in this market. The writing was amusing, using giant run on metaphors and "high and mighty" language to show a sense of superiority (like Algore himself). And yet no writer on staff could help themselves: they had to always interject the lowest common denominator "F-bomb" in their writing—as if that led to some kind of "street cred." Just because someone can drop the F-bomb in a sentence, that still doesn't mean they aren't really talking down to you the rest of the time.
In short, the Scene became a localized version of the Rolling Stone. (Disagree? I'd love to see how often you both had the same editorial slant to the hard left and said it in a way that really said, "You people are stupid and don't know what you're talking about or what's in your best interest.") And who the heck reads the Rolling Stone anymore? Besides, if we wanted to read the Rolling Stone, we'd buy the Rolling Stone and read it—we don't need a localized version.
If the Scene wants to make money, realize your market—Christian, conservative, proud of Nashville. No need to patronize, take the socialistic/left side of every issue, or "be cool"...we're tired of that.
I hope the new owners recognize this and wish them well.
Paul King
In fond memory
To say I was saddened to hear of Tommy Burnett's death is an understatement ("Death of a Salesman," Sept. 24). I was the House Democratic Caucus press secretary from 1986-1990 and loved Burnett. He always knew more about legislation than the sponsors and was a constant source. When he was released from prison the second time, I bought a car from him the second week after his release. The federal government stole a gem from Tennessee twice. We lost him for good last week. Thanks to Mike Pigott and the Scene for bringing him back for just a moment.
Mark Nelson
Nashville
What matters most
Yay!! Thanks for returning the NYT crossword to the Scene.Love it!Lee Martin
Kings of Leone
Just read your appreciation of Sergio Leone's masterpiece Once Upon a Time in the West and wanted to show my appreciation for your article ("After 40 years, hot lead still hasn't cooled," Aug. 26). Like you, I was a youngster in 1970 when the film was shown in two parts on the ABC Sunday/Monday-night movie. Even butchered, with its widescreen compositions probably cut in half, it was my introduction to true cinema and my desire to relish in the glories of great filmmaking. Without those two nights I probably would have never understood the beautiful relationship between the artists who come together to create a single beautiful piece of art. Cinema of course is our generation's offering to the pantheon of human artistic expression.
For so many years I searched for what I could find about this great film and its creators, the rewards meager at best. After 40 years it's meager no more, and Leone, Ennio Morricone and Tonino Delli Colli are finally being hailed as the masters they truly are. I went to see the "restored" version in L.A. few months ago, and the picture was awful (worse than the 80's) and not close to my DVD. Then, yesterday, I saw on widescreen HDTV a version so pristine it was like seeing it for the first time all over again. I remain unworthy! There is no question in my mind that Once Upon a Time is the most beautifully created film I've ever seen.
God bless those like yourself and Tarantino for keeping the spirit of the Master alive and well. My only regret is that he directed only six films. Those six films and his passing only make his [unfilmed] The 900 Days that much harder to live without.
R. Gene Welsh
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