Letters

"Tiger" Grrrreat
I am not an avid reader of New Times. However, I must say that I was very much taken by the story "The Case of the Terrified Tiger" (Michael Kiefer, November 23). The writing style is very compelling, taking the reader along for a good ride. I had to read the story without putting it down.

The writing from the first sentence ("She had all the outward signs of a dame in trouble") to the last sentence ("Maybe she was right") caused me to continue to read without interruption. The story was reminiscent of many good detective stories from the '50s. This style and story have almost a film noir feel. In short, the article was well-written. I am very interested to know if Michael Kiefer will write a follow-up story about this Tiger.

John Saenz
Cave Creek

Both Sides Now?
John Mecklin's statement in his column "A Bride of Conviction" that he is just telling alove story does not excuse his one-sided accusations against the other members of the jury in the Anthony Spears murder trial (November 23). The charges Janet Spears makes against her fellow jurors carries less weight than the evidence gathered by trained professionals and then introduced into court against Anthony Spears. Did Mecklin try to talk to any of the other jurors in reference to Janet Spears' statements about their conduct? If he did, then I missed that part.

Did Mecklin interview, or even request an interview, with the other jurors? Why not interview the police and the prosecutor in reference to the "flimsy evidence"? Did Mecklin just discount the shell casing and victim's belongings, and when did Jeanette Beaulieu sell her auto to Anthony Spears? Also, if the appeal is now in front of the state Supreme Court--wasn't it denied by a lower court? What is the basis of the appeal? New evidence? Old evidence never presented?

Finally, I am not judging Janet Spears, but I did pay close attention to her story and I found problems with it. Why didn't Mecklin? The writer's final sentence says it all: "After all, you're not looking for love in the face of fear and death. Are you?" No, I'm not. But it appears Jeanette Beaulieu did!

Dave Johnson
Phoenix

Fife Goes On
I believe that a person who cannot control his personal finances should not be a governor of any state ("A Sitting Duck," John Dougherty, November 9). Fife Symington must take on various important responsibilities that concern the welfare of this state. How in the world could anyone have faith in a man who is suspected of being a liar and a cheat? I guess that's politics!

Jen Mascarenas
Tempe

The Waco Tribune-Herald arrived at 6 a.m. on November 18, 1995. As I unfolded the newspaper, I was greeted with a front-page, full-color photograph of ole Fife Symington, surrounded by hands holding microphones and tape recorders. Could the news of the Fifester's financial woes finally have reached Waco (no jokes, please), Texas? Alas, it was only another of Fife's headline-grabbing tricks to divert the attention away from his own hornet's nest of problems.

Come on, Guv, did ya really think the feds would let you run Grand Canyon National Park with your background of questionable business practices? I suppose you could sell the Grand Canyon to Coopers & Lybrand so the little woman won't have to pay for the next European vacation ("Trusting in Family Values," Michael Lacey, November 9). Or maybe you could use the proceeds to finance your campaign for a seat in the U.S. Senate, since you would fit in nicely with John "Charlie Who?" McCain. However, if justice prevails in Arizona, you just may end up wearing Sheriff Joe Arpaio's pink underwear.

(To all the good citizens of Arizona: I spent the first 36 years of my life in the Apache Junction area, and I am not poking fun at my beloved Arizona--just the characters who are running her into the ground.)

Chris Butzen
Waco, Texas

She Said, He Said
I am outraged that something like the "Gasket Case" could happen in a day and age when we are supposed to be moving forward in our fight for women's equality (Lisa Davis, November 2). With even our U.S. president as a supporter, how could the legal system of Phoenix, Arizona, get away with this? I feel a further investigation is a must.

Is our society encouraging women to fight for fair treatment or to stay in an abusive marriage? Haven't we learned anything from the O.J. Simpson case?

Thanks to Lisa Davis for getting the word out. To Denise Hrudka, keep fighting for yourself, your children and for justice in the system letting us down lately.

Lisa Laande
Alta Loma, California

Lisa Davis' divorce story had more "whine" than Napa Valley! A man finally gets a fair shake in divorce court and the woman cries foul. Denise Hrudka spent her whole life raising children and decorating houses! Can't she afford an education on $1,600 a week?

It's like watching talk shows: Men want sex; women want money (but not sex). Hey, women's libbers, welcome to the '90s. If I ever need a divorce, I hope Mr. Gasket will help me. Meanwhile, I'm available.

Bob Whisner
Mesa