Letters

“Here’s an idea….”

To the editor:

I watched with some horror a recent televised news reports of gangs organizing right here in Mobile. Since I live downtown, I realized my neighborhood would be central to the gang “hood”. I have a plan to end this growing danger to Mobile, and it will not cost a lot of money.

We need slogans, and they don’t need to be new slogans either.

Phase 1 – How about we send scouts out to other cities to bring back “Take Back the Streets” bumper stickers. Just trim off the city name at the end; you know like Los Angeles or Atlanta. Those stickers pretty much wiped out gangs in those cities.

Phase 2 – Print up some tee shirts in kid sizes that read: “Just Say No To Gangs.” You know drugs were a problem in some cities prior to the Just Say No program.

Phase 3 – Sell Chinese-made magnetic stickers that look like ribbons printed with “I Support the Mobile Po’lease.” These magnets should be in Mardi Gras colors. These will encourage the cops to stop shooting radar bullets and use some lead.

I think that will pretty much solve the problem. Call me if I can solve any more problems for this great city.

Jim Helland

Mobile

Beautifying Austal

To the editor:

In reference to the Austal building article (Real Deal 11/6/06)...As Austal is great asset to our manufacturing and shipping industry, two ideas were presented to me from retired relatives that have time to dream. Both sound interesting.

The first was to paint a large bigger-than-life drawing of the actual ship building layout on the outside wall as if there were no wall at all. The second suggestion was eye catching… draw the hull of the latest Austal speed ferry (bigger than life size) leaping out the wall as if on a high-speed chase.

Metal walls ripping open as it jumps out onto the water. Murals have come a long way and now become so realistic that visual impact is an important issue. Art that is entertaining, interesting and eye catching has to also take into consideration not to be so distracting that travel mishaps result.

Kathie Moore

Mobile

Off base on Ace

Dear Boozie:

As one of Ace’s Highrollers, in my humble opinion, your “Boozie corespondent in Austin and her friend” were wrong with what they said about Ace Young. The facts weren’t quite straight. One, “he did some sort of thing with his fist, where he was making this heart beat motion on his chest”. Anyone that was at one of the concerts can clearly see his hands are down at his side when he does the chest beat to the rhythm of the song. It’s his chest only, not a machine or anything else. Secondly, it was mentioned that Ace did the same “act” during both concerts. All of the Idols sang the same songs, said the same things, and did the same dance moves throughout the entire tour. I went to two of the concerts as well, so I know what I’m talking about. Why was Ace the only one that was focused on? American Idol is an entertainment show. They portray the contestants any way they want just to get ratings. It does not show how any of the contestants truly are. Ace was portrayed as the heartthrob/cheesy guy. Seems like your friends bought into that illusion and that is what they were expecting at the concert, and that is what they got. Just like Kellie Pickler did her “dumb blonde” act and Taylor Hicks danced like a maniac..just like on the show. American Idol still had it’s claws in all the Idols, they still weren’t allowed to be themselves during this tour. You never know what they were “made” to do. I believe it’s going to be a different story now that the tour is over and they are free to do their own things.

If anyone would take the time to find out about Ace, you would know who he really is. Not only is he talented, he’s an amazing, genuine person as well. He goes to Denver’s Childrens Hospital every day on Christmas to sing to the sick children. He takes his brothers along as well. Doesn’t matter how long it takes, he keeps going until he has reached all the children. Because of this, he inspired his fans to raise money for the hospital. The initial goal was $1,000. We weren’t sure if we would even get that much. Well, his fans care so much about him and what he believes in, that it was raised within 24 hours. The grand total of the check he presented to Children’s was $10,777.77 in just about a month’s time of collecting. Along with his fans, he’s recently set up a charity called Highrollers With Heart. http://www.highrollerswithheart.org/ The money being raised will go to help build a family amenities area for families to stay and rest up while their children are being treated. The fund is now up to over $21,000. He has touched the lives of many, many people of all ages in so many different ways. He brings a smile to the faces of little children that are suffering from the effects of cancer. Their families appreciate it so much when times are rough. It means the world to them. He is relentless in pursuing his dreams and making things happen for himself, he inspires people to do the same with their own dreams. I’ve seen countless stories about how he has inspired someone and makes their lives a little better.

During the tour, he was often the only Idol that would go out both before and after the concerts to meet with fans, give hugs, give autographs, take pictures, and speak with people on cell phones that weren’t able to attend. Not only did he appreciate his fans, but ALL fans. When he talks to people, he totally focuses on them and is genuinely interested in what they have to say. He makes you feel like you’re important to him. I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with him on a couple of different occasions. Even when he was surrounded by people and had to go, he was totally attentive to me. He honestly cares. I don’t know about you guys, but I don’t know many people these days that are like that.

I know that everyone is entitled to their opinions, like your correspondent and her friend. It is my opinion that Ace Young is an amazing person that should be recognized for who he really is. Kind, geniune, talented, and beautiful inside and out.

Thank You,

Donna

To the editor:

I just want to shed some light on the performance and personality of Ace Young that you are obviously not aware of. The whole “American Idol” shtick is just that – it is simply a variety show featuring NEW talent, up-and-coming musical artists. The performers are at the mercy of the producers, both during the show and the tour. I think it is simply wonderful that Ace’s fun personality could bring sexy and laughter to this tour. It’s a shame you couldn’t/didn’t recognize the positive energy he exhibits AND that is returned to him. He played the “game” honorably.

Ace is a musician. He’s a genuinely NICE person. He is the only Idol that faithfully met with his fans, signed autographs, gave hugs and connected off stage. He is spearheading a charity to raise money for Denver Children’s Hospital www.HighrollersWithHeart.org. Look a little deeper – I hope you apologize for your ugly remarks. Ace and his non-teeny, non-menopausal fans deserve it.

Kim Davis

To the editor:

Wow have you got your information Wrong. I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours, but maybe you ought to find another job. You Bad-mouthing Ace Young. Were you there to see the show….and the LMBO show? Some of us flew thousands of miles to see Ace Young and got well our money’s worth.

Get a grip. Everyone has a right to their own opinions, but to be a journalist and post garbage like that!!!! You need a new career.

Deborah Gottobed

To the editor:

I JUST READ YOUR ARTICLE ON ACE AND YOU ARE SO WAY OFF BASE ABOUT HIM THAT IT ISN’T EVEN FUNNY.

HOW DARE YOU WRITE STUFF ABOUT SOMEONE YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT. YOU HAVE NO IDEA THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT HE IS AND EVERYTHING THAT HE DOES FOR THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL NOT TO MENTION THE WAY HE GOES OUT OF HIS WAY TO MEET HIS FANS AND TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT. HOW MANY OTHER FAMOUS PEOPLE WOULD DO THAT?

I CAN TELL YOU THAT MR. AMERICAN IDOL TAYLOR HICKS DOESN’T DO IT… HE’S A VERY COLD PERSON AND THAT’S PROBABLY WHO YOU LIKE AND WHY YOU WROTE SUCH BS ABOUT ACE YOUNG.

I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING HIM MORE THEN ONCE AND HE IS SUCH AN AMAZING PERSON WITH SUCH A BIG HEART AND BELIEVE YOU ME I AM NOT 13 YEARS OLD EITHER GOING GOO GOO GAA GAA LIKE YOU CLAIM IN YOUR ARTICLE.

ACE IS VERY TALENTED AND IF YOU CAN’T SEE THAT OR DIDN’T HEAR THE PEOPLE SCREAM FOR HIM UNLIKE ANYONE ELSE THEN YOU YOU ARE THE ONE WHO IS CHEESY!!!!!!!!

ROBIN TESORIERO

To the editor:

I was very disappointed to read the article you posted online and the hurtful things you had to say about Ace Young. I realize you are from Alabama (as I am, Birmingham Alabama to be exact) and I know that you probably back Taylor 100 percent. I have NO problem with that. I too support Taylor..but I chose Ace from the very beginning. I have NOTHING bad to say about Taylor. I don’t understand why you find it necessary to try to belittle Ace the way you did. Saying he makes “13-year-old girls scream.” Yeah..he does…he also makes 30-year-old married Mothers scream too! (I’m one of them) He’s an awesome entertainer and if you don’t like him that’s FINE…but you don’t have to degrade him the way you did. Ace does ALOT of work for Children’s charities and he’s a nice guy. American Idol made him be the “sex symbol” of the show. You know what…AI is over and now is his time to shine and that is exactly what he is going to do. His fans support him and that’s all that matters!

Christy Parrozzo

Archives