Palatial praise
I loved Rebekah Gleaves Sanderlin’s Cover Story: “Fit for a Country Music King” (Aug. 25). It brought back many wonderful memories growing up with the Rudy clan. If anyone can bring back the Palace, it’s Mary Francis, Steve and John. Good luck to them and the Palace. Jeff Bowen jbowen@pacers.com (Indianapolis, Ind.) More royal gratitude Nice cover story by Rebekah Gleaves Sanderlin about the Nashville Palace and her family. In addition to the history of the Palace, it was interesting hearing about the Rudys and the family connections, too. Compliments to Ms. Sanderlin. David Kinney Davidk@southernvacations.com (Nashville) Too poor to pledge I read the editorial Liz Garrigan wrote concerning NPT (“Write a Check to NPT,” Aug. 25). I tend to agree that NPT does not receive enough funding. They do provide a valuable service to the Nashville area and have shown many noteworthy programs. My issue is regarding the comment made by Liz Garrigan referring to those who do not pledge as “no better than the chumps who take mints from the National Association for Retarded Citizens dispensers in restaurants without dropping some coins in the box.” Perhaps the reason individuals are not pledging is not because they don’t want to, but because they don’t have the disposable funds to do so. They enjoy watching NPT’s variety of programs, but are unable to help financially. This does not warrant a comparison to those who pilfer candy from an organization that works for a good cause and do not pay for it. NPT is television that should be enjoyed by all, no matter what their financial situation. That is what is supposed to make this great country, the United States of America, the land of the free. Barbara Kershaw spydrrwmn@hotmail.com (Hendersonville) Tax the churches I read with bemusement the letter “Justice Sunday II disturbing” in Love/Hate Mail (Aug. 25). Mr. Wesley writes, “Thus, the rally had achieved its disturbing purpose of convincing Christians that the injection of religion into the state is permissible.” Well then, let’s erase that “fine line between separation of church and state” by eliminating these churches’ tax exemption, thus convincing Christians that the injection of their church’s taxes into the state would be most welcome. Pay your taxes, vote and let’s all agitate as one! Susan Williams sfwilliams22@hotmail.com (Nashville) Versus vs. Scene Ever since coming to Vanderbilt three years ago, I have religiously read the Nashville Scene, the best source of quality reporting in town. When I opened up to the College Survival Guide 2005 (Aug. 25) to see Joey Hood’s article about student media, my heart jumped. But alas, Mr. Hood had neglected to mention Vanderbilt’s student magazine, Versus. I have been editor of Versus for the past year, going on two. It disheartened me to see our publication looked over. Versus isn’t a small publication. Actually, we are the largest recipient of activity fee money for any student publication. We have a circulation of 3,000 issues per month. We publish a 32-page full-color issue each month. I know it’s easy to skip things over. But please, next time the Nashville Scene writes about college publications, please include the second-largest publication at Vanderbilt. Thanks for your time. Robert Proudfoot Editor-in-chief, Versus robert.s.proudfoot@vanderbilt.edu (Nashville)
Feminism shmeminism
Regarding “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” (Aug. 25): Katie Dodd, take a look at your shoulder. See that? Yes, that—that chip you’re carrying from some ex-lover. I suggest you brush it off and take another listen to Brad Paisley’s new album. It seems to me you’re missing the forest for the trees (or in this case, the wit and humor for your own personal heartache). It’s a clever and entertaining country music compilation, nothing more. Stop analyzing and enjoy it! Lisa Whitaker spunkyheart2003@yahoo.com (Michigan) Sounding off In your Aug. 17 editorial, “Can We Please Play Ball?,” you say that it’s starting to seem like Mayor Purcell “doesn’t want to do a deal, any deal, after all.” The mayor can’t do any deal on a new Sounds stadium until one is formally offered, and that has not happened. There have been trial-balloons floated, mainly for PR, but no real proposal, thus nothing to present to Metro Council, the Sports Authority and the taxpayers. The Wall Street Journal reports that investing in minor league baseball teams has moved from ego-trip to good investment. A new stadium will greatly increase the Sounds’ market value. If the team gets one, taxpayers should not pay for its construction. Unlike the Coliseum and Arena, it will be not belong to the city, thus paying for its maintenance is illegal. (And $500,000 per year would pay for how many teachers? Serve how many homeless?) In a few years Nashville will build a new convention center in the SoBro area. With the expectation of major upscale retail and too little lodging downtown, conditions exist for the stadium to be competitive. Providing them the former thermal site places them within walking distance. Nashville is a major league city. It needs more than a minor league downtown. Stan Scott ss_scott@bellsouth.net (Nashville) Correction A story in last week’s College Survival Guide 2005 misstated the mandate of the Geier Consent Decree, which no longer calls for quantitative racial diversification. It does, however, encourage public colleges and universities in Tennessee to work toward diversification of student populations, faculty and staff and links state funding to those efforts.
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