Letters

Paul is all

To the Editor:

When George Will and Dick Morris agree about something with respect to a presidential race, perhaps it’s time to listen. In a recent commentary, Will wrote that GOP hopeful Fred Thompson is “unfamiliar with the details of his own positions” and “was deeply involved in expanding government restrictions on political speech.”

Morris wrote, “In his first week of campaigning, Thompson has shown that he has neither the substance nor the experience that is essential for a serious presidential candidate. One wonders what makes him – and his supporters – think that he is, in any way, up to the job.”

Will deals with issues, while Morris is more interested in the campaign perspective. However, they have something in common: Neither thinks that Fred Thompson is the conservative he claims to be and neither is impressed with his actual campaign.

For starters, Thompson was a key supporter of the Mc-Cain-Feingold Act, a campaign finance bill which totally disregards the First Amendment. Thompson has also previously voted for restrictions on gun rights, particularly when government police power is involved. According to voting data gathered on Thompson by The Gun Owners of America Web site ( www.gunowners.org) – out of 33 votes in the US Senate, Thompson voted anti-gun 13 times (around 40 percent of the time.)

There is but one Republican candidate whose platform and voting record strongly supports all ten amendments outlined in the Bill of Rights. For those interested in voting for a real conservative, I’d recommend checking out RonPaul2008.com

Chris DeZego

Mobile

King expose´ appreciated

To the editor:

A big thanks to Rob and Kevin for writing the two-part exposé on Troy King. Apart from his attempts to damage the good name of a close mutual friend, as your work highlighted, the fact is that King has a megalomaniacal personality that is absolutely disgusting to behold.

His hubris in the quest for an elected office has cost numerous families closure in the search for their relatives in the shadow of the Jeremy Jones case. His tenure only serves to bolster the rest of the nation’s rather pedestrian opinion of this state. Even the most scathing op-eds I’ve read out of Birmingham failed to shed the light that your articles did. Thanks to both of you.

Jim Dineen

Mobile

Adios Port City

To the editor:

As a Texan in Alabama, and more specifically in Mobile, I have had a rare opportunity to see the difference in the way cities, and America, is run. My wife is in the medical field. One of the highest bills most American’s pay out of every check, is health care. In Mobile, it is out of control.

The insurance companies blame the rising cost on the doctors, and the doctors blame it on the insurance companies. The lawyers sit idly by and laugh as the blame game brings higher profits for all concerned. The fact that my wife is in the medical field, and more specifically in insurance, gives my opinion an air of authenticity.

I have suffered a debilitating degenerative joint disease that has resulted in four major surgeries. The fact that my wife could work, and pay for healthcare, has prevented my taking to a street-corner with a sign begging for cash. I live in a world of pain and strong medications. My wife works 40-plus hours per week, and we struggle to pay every bill.

Our insurance payment is $444 per month, which is for my wife, my daughter and myself. Insurance, keep in mind, is a gamble by the insurer, that pay ins will far outpace payouts. In my family, that is proven. My wife and daughter are very healthy, I alone, am the burden.

We have chosen after so many good years, to return to Texas. The progressive health care programs are only one good reason. The ignorance and closed-mindedness are stronger influences. We have watched as the potential-packed Mobile downtown area was sold out to the highest bidder as interesting, locally owned businesses were crushed by the costs of city fees and biased inspection results.

We joined a wonderful local church, the Unitarian Universialist Fellowship of Mobile, and learned through them, that recycling must be paid for! How shocking! In Austin recycling is part of your trash day. You separate your glass and paper, your metal and wood. This is a given. To pay for recycling? That is to take Mobile back to the days of race riots and political mayhem. The Deep South has been trying to shake off the filthy cloak of racism, and as of 2007, has failed to move the burden a single inch.

I am a white guy with short hair, but I made a living in this very county (Alabama D.Y.S 1993-1997) in law enforcement. I saw fair and I saw foul. I protested and I testified, I got into the grit of Mobile County and I rolled around.

I fell in love with Mobile. It breaks my heart to go home to Austin and see this area in such a sad state.

Local parks ruined for racetracks, local businessmen pushed out for outsiders willing to pay exorbitant rent, the local flavor sold to the conglomerate with the most schtick. It is all very sad and I will miss most what Mobile could have been. How strange it is the ways in which the poor are kept poor. Adieu Mobile, and Vaya con Dios.

Timothy G.Holliday

Mobile

Cooper interview tops

Ashley:

I just wanted to complement you on the Alice Cooper interview. I have read many such pieces and IMHO (in my humble opinion) your AC interview was awesome. Well-prepared questions and follow up. Very Interesting.

Mike Perkins

Blackball Promotions

Where’s Crolich?

To the editor:

Great Ewald story. I just came across it myself in researching old Mobile restaurants.

Peter Crolich ran the Central Cafe and his son after him. Do you have more about him you could share?

Thanks

Malcolm Steiner

Mobile

Misses Current

To the editors:

Why am I not suprised (sic) to see your latest issue filled with comments about the departure of Current? What’s wrong with a little competition? I personally am sad to see them go, it was nice having something to read other than your bi-weekly gossip magazine.

Also, why are there 2 editors but every issue has simple words misspelled? In your latest issue note page 24, Ms. Toland misspelled editor and she’s the Editor for Pete’s sake.

TVT

Edtidor’s Note: We do our best, but we sometimes miss a thang or too, expecially if’n we been drinkin’

Very Important Horse stall?

Dear Ms. Beer Nues:

Yes, Boozie, there is a VIP Room at the Fairgrounds! We have relocated the room from the horse stall area (Actually we never had any horse stalls, but for the sake of this missive we will pretend) and it is a most pleasant place.

I cannot imagine why you were left off the invitation list on the night of the annexation election (we weren’t in charge of the invitations.) However, we would be pleased if you would accept our invitation to visit the VIP Room during the Fair.

Enclosed please find two VIP tickets to the Fair. The VIP Room is located in the West side of the building; I have enclosed a map to the now famous VIP Room at the Greater Gulf State Fair.

Yours Truly,

Billie Blackwell

Fair Manager

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