Love/Hate Mail
On the church
I was deeply moved and heavy of heart after reading the story of Deputy Sheriff Mike Coode and his molestation at the hands of a Catholic priest (Cover Story, June 27). May the loving and compassionate hand of God in heaven extend his mercy and healing. I’ve just finished a book that documents the claims of the Catholic Church to being God on Earth and even having the power to change God’s laws—The Ten Commandments.
If this is the theology of the hierarchy, not the laity, then their indifference, even disdain, for civil authorities and laws is no surprise. Will it survive this dark chapter in its history? Yes. Will it even gain strength so Protestant churches will join with it on common points of doctrine? Yes. The real question is whether the simple and heart-changing gospel will win in the end. The answer is a resounding yes.
Again, thanks to the Scene for featuring such a powerful story.
E.B. Copley
ecopley@peoplepc.com (Nashville)
More warring
Thank you for writing the recent article, “A War in Woodland” (June 27), so that the citizens of Davidson County understand how important the July 3 Board of Zoning Appeals hearing is to the future of historic Nashville. Our lovely weddings take place at 7 p.m. on a few Saturday nights from April to October, lasting approximately 20 minutes, and if William Cochran is taking his precious nap during that time of day and disturbed by such a beautiful thing, then too bad. I invite anyone to come by our facility, see the limited traffic and professional valet service, watch the wedding and listen to what is played. I am sure they will agree with so many others who feel this spoiled little brat is out of touch with reality.
If this so-called gentleman’s complaints are accepted and used to terminate historic home events at The Timothy Demonbreun House, then no historic venue in Nashville will ever be able to open and conduct business, as this will no doubt involve a few cars and a little music too. Furthermore, as an attorney, I have more formal education than Mr. Cochran and have no regrets for calling him exactly what he is. Working from his home each day and being employed by his wealthy family managing a competing venue called Evins Mill equates this person’s credibility to that of Yasser Arafat’s.
Richard A. Demonbreun
rademonbreun@comcast.net (Nashville)
Will responds
He may drive a BMW, be pompous and meet the test for profane characterizations to boot. And yes, there’s probably a silver spoon stuck somewhere, but William Cochran is no bastard—at least that’s what my mother keeps telling me (“A War in Woodland,” June 27).
William Cochran
wsc1939@bellsouth.net (Nashville)
One more chance, please?
This is an official invitation for Mr. Martin Brady. I would like another opportunity to “act” for a critic who’s keen to “critique” (“A Question of Degree,” June 27). All the initial nervousness aside, more focus is now on the character instead of the many monologues. I would like to have you (a person who’s cast an opinion on me) come out and reevaluate my “acting.” Perhaps the performance you attended was a bit like a dress rehearsal, but with that behind us, I would like the chance to have my “raw communication skills” rehashed, refried and reprocessed. Some things are better the second time around.
Kazu Hishida
kazu.hishida@Vanderbilt.Edu (Nashville)
A gentleman whose time has passed
I read with interest the article about Jeff Wilson’s challenge of incumbent Douglas Henry for the state Senate seat in District 21 (“One Rough Campaign,” June 27). But if one reads only the opening paragraphs, one might infer from the writer’s unfortunate use of the word “trashing” that Mr. Wilson had been making personal attacks against Mr. Henry. My experience has been, and the rest of the article indicates, that Mr. Wilson has criticized Mr. Henry’s positions on issues, his record and his leadership—or lack thereof—and not the man himself. Mr. Wilson says on many occasions, and in his campaign literature, that he respects Mr. Henry as a gentleman, but that his time has passed.
F. Clark Williams, chairman
Citizens for Jeff Wilson
f.clark.williams@vanderbilt.edu (Nashville)
Editor’s Note
Willy Stern has won yet another national journalism award for the Scene. For his series of stories on The Tennessean, called “Grading the Daily,” Stern won first place in the National Press Club’s Journalism Awards Contest in the category of Rowse Press Criticism. Stern will be honored at the press club’s journalism awards dinner on July 22 in Washington D.C. If you’d like a reprinted copy of the series, leave Stern a message at 244-7989, ext. 407. He’ll mail you one.
B.D.
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