Letters to the editor

Don’t knock working folks

I took offense at the Molton cartoon in your Nov. 24-30 issue showing an overweight, exposed-butt-cracked, DOT road worker, captioned “Yet another reason why sprawl is not pretty.”

This country was built and is being maintained, not by computers or by people dreaming in their heated cars, but by men and women working out in the cold and in the heat, hanging out of windows, leaning over rooftops, digging with their callused hands, dodging traffic and other hazards.

People who do manual labor are the salt of the earth, and I have the utmost respect for anyone who braves the elements to earn a living.

I guarantee you: In the event of a natural or man-made catastrophe, we will be turning to these people to help us — maybe even save us!

— Bill Cheek
Asheville

The appropriateness of Ashely

While I am nobody’s film critic other than my own, I enjoy going to the movies very much, and have, during my 40-some-odd years as a human, had thousands of movie-going experiences. Since my time here in Asheville, I have continued to attend movies at a fairly regular rate and have attended many movies at every movie house in the area. I was going to write in response to Peter Loewer’s “While Rome Burns” commentary [“Losing it at the movies,” Nov. 3], where he seemed to be having a real heck of a time enjoying himself in the company of other humans while attending the movies.

Ashely Siegel addressed his commentary so eloquently and accurately [Letters, Nov. 17] that I saw no reason to say what had already been said. I agree 100 percent with her responses and comments, [whereas] Peter Loewer’s comments seemed to me to be a burgeoning basket of bilious banter based on his negative perception. Exaggerated gross generalities don’t hold much water.

If he spends that much time going to the movies for the purposes of reviewing movies, perhaps it would be prudent to better document these events and pass along the information to the managers at the time these events occur.

There are many, many questions in life. If a chicken-and-a-half can lay an egg-and-a-half in a day-and-a-half, how long does it take a one-legged spider monkey to kick the seeds out of a cucumber? Are Peter Loewer and Joshua Tager [Letters, Dec. 1] the same person, or what? And why is a guy who seems to have such a narrow perception of alleged events afforded a forum from which to have his perceptions published to the masses?

To all three questions, “Who knows?” is the only possible answer.

Peter Loewer’s response [Letters, Nov. 24] to Ashely Siegel’s response to his commentary seemed inappropriate, as well. Funny how that response from Peter Loewer about “The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about” and Joshua Tager’s remark that Ashely Siegel is “toot[ing] her own horn” seem to be trying to twist the point of the whole issue. Ashely Siegel’s column isn’t about Ashely Siegel: It’s about reviewing movies. Ashely Siegel’s response to Peter Loewer’s commentary wasn’t about Ashely Siegel; it accurately, nonaggressively and professionally addressed Peter Loewer’s comments. These guys just seem ticked off that she wouldn’t stoop to their mud-slinging tactics. Either that or perhaps, deep down, they are just feeling jealous? More questions — and who knows the answers?

— Carlton Whatley
Asheville

One bumper sticker down, but not out

I do not have much time to waste on foolishness, so I will keep my statement short. This letter is directed at the person who found it necessary, on Saturday, Nov. 20, to damage my personal property.

The bumper sticker, which read “Cats flattened while you wait,” was one of the more creative stickers I’ve seen in the area, but surely not the most offensive. Was that expression so disturbing that you just had to destroy it — and gouge my bumper in the process?

Yes, it’s true: You were not the first to attack my auto over this piece of paper with glue, ink and a personal expression on it. I’ve had people leave nasty notes under my windshield wiper, and one offender went so far as to write a lewd statement in lipstick on my back windshield. At least those individuals had the decency to leave my property intact while relaying their unhappiness with my sticker.

It was only a bumper sticker, but by removing it from my vehicle with a sharp object, you caused physical damage to my auto and violated my right to free speech.

Unfortunately, at this time, I do not have a duplicate of that sticker to replace the one you destroyed — but not to worry. As soon as I have 100 of them printed, I’m going to replace the one you so unkindly removed, and make the other 99 stickers available to the public. And I just hope I catch you trying to remove it again.

— Kirk Wallace
Asheville

Third parties: spoilers or patriots?

There is considerable communication in the “Letters to the Editor” expressing confidence [in] and loyalty to one or the other of two major parties. Thank goodness, people do study and support a political party. It shows concern for our country’s future.

But I must take exception to a recent statement in one of the letters, which said, “Third parties never win elections, but they sometimes act as spoilers. It would certainly be a great day if few Americans throw away their votes on these ‘reformers.'”

During the Goldwater days and campaign, I was deeply involved in politics, helping to form a conservative club in our heavily labor-dominated county. We established a Goldwater headquarters, and I worked my heart out for his election. I believed in the man and his platform. Today, I believe [in] another platform — that of the Natural Law Party, which reflects my beliefs in what our country should be, and that it should return to what it once was. For the first time in 30 years, I sent a financial contribution to a political party, because it stands for what I believe.

If that makes me a “spoiler,” so be it. The real throwaway votes are those from people who do not vote for what they believe, but vote for the party they think might win — or might not win, if they don’t vote for it. Those people are the real spoilers.

— Ana Jo O’Brien
Tryon

Swap those signs

About The Sign at Pack Place — nothing wrong with it. It’s just in front of the wrong building.

I suspect you knew that all along, but were too embarrassed to admit you got it mixed up with the Civic Center. Think about it: Those elegant, gorgeously crafted musicians and dancers clearly belong in front of the Art Museum complex, while that tacky, flashing hunk would actually be suitable and useful advertising the sport games, log-cabin shows, concerts, etc. You could also eliminate all the floating banners that seem to adorn the Civic Center, as well.

Admit it, now: It’s a great idea!

— Parrish Rhodes
Asheville