Taking offense: I am continually surprised by the lack of decency prevalent in society. Today, upon arriving at work, I was unable not to notice the cover of your most recent newspaper ("Degas Uncovered," Stephen Lemons, March 18). While I have become somewhat accustomed to seeing similar works of art (I use the term very loosely), I found this week's cover picture to be extremely offensive! Not only is there a naked girl on the front of the paper, there is a bust of a man leering at her backside. This whole scenario becomes worse when you realize the particular piece of art being mocked here is of a 14-year-old girl! Society has enough problems as is. We don't need your company adding to them!
Daniel Loveridge
Tempe
Business As Usual
"Player" hater: Thanks so much for pointing out Jerry Colangelo's failings as a businessman ("Thug Love," John Dougherty, March 18). I've been waiting years and years and years for someone to take a good, close look at his "accomplishments." Whatever the original Diamondbacks business model was, and I'm sure it was Colangelo's from start to finish, it was based in part on completely unrealistic attendance projections. So naturally any downturn at all, for whatever reason, would cause increased financial hardship.
When all is said and done, most of the team's wounds are self-inflicted -- many overinflated contracts to make a big splash and show the other owners that Jerry was a "player," undercapitalizing the team initially; grossly underestimating the potential overruns from fast-tracking the stadium; and finally, despite all protestations to the contrary, blatant disregard for the typical fan.
As I recall, that first year the team announced that it was raising its ticket prices on Fan Appreciation Day. That pretty much sums it up. When it came time for "belt tightening," Colangelo cut back on the office Christmas party while keeping all of his salary intact. What a guy. I'm fairly certain it was Jerry's "prowess" that caused Arte Moreno to bail out. Old Jer has a lot of the snake-oil salesman in him. Sure, it's wrapped in a $2,000 suit, but all in all, he wouldn't be out of place on a carnival midway. Downtown doesn't stand a chance.
David Lewis
Via e-mail
Using available resources: Imagine an infusion of 3,000 workers living downtown! A couple hundred acres of housing. All the money spent on groceries and cigarettes. Jerry's downtown would have a nightlife. Restaurants would boom, nightclubs pump and taxes generated.
I forgot to mention: Those 3,000 people already live downtown. They live at CASS (Central Arizona Shelter Services), and its overflow unit is any number of alleys.
Sixty million dollars would build enough housing to give the 3,000 homeless their own downtown condos for life! Or at least a solid head start. That's $20,000 a head, and, at wholesale, it pretty much covers the bill.
Maybe Gilbert should reconsider the $16 million it's giving the Disney heirs (Lund) to build an autoplex and see how many small businesses would start up for the same dough.
I think our local politicians need to read up on history, political science and sociology to see where they are putting us.
Jim Torgeson
Via e-mail
Hit Piece
Stumping for Thompson: Your scurrilous column ("Dangerous Duo," John Dougherty, March 4) impugning the integrity of an honorable man, Representative Mark Thompson, is a prime example of why honorable people avoid careers in politics and why crude hit pieces advance journalists' careers. You have contributed to coarsening the dialogue on serious issues relating to long-term care.
State Representative Bob Stump
Peoria
Turning Up the Heat
Not worth the paper it's printed on: As a regular New Times reader, I feel obligated to let you know that "Inferno" is worthless. I've held back writing previously about how retarded "The Implants" is, but now you've given the same half-wit a regular editorial?! Who exactly are you targeting with this poorly written trash? I doubt if the general public and your readers care about the childish, catty antics of the metrosexuals and homosexuals who inhabit all the really cool nightspots in the Valley. I don't.
Maybe I could understand if these articles were exposing something new or even semi-exciting. I think you guys are missing the point. Yes, some people might be surprised by the racy content in "Inferno"; however, there is nothing in there that is in any way controversial or cutting-edge. There is no point printing articles written by fourth-graders whose target audience doesn't read your periodical, let alone knows how to read in the first place.
The authors of this article are a perfect example of the average social parasite that frequents all the hot clubs and brings nothing to the table except dirty dishes. Get it out of here! If you must write about these douche bags at the club, all I care to hear about is when they get run over by some drunk. If nothing else, use the space to advertise St. Patrick's Day G-strings or cannabis smoking devices (that's not a cheap shot, I appreciate you advertising these products).
Hell, don't pull "Inferno"; just make sure this doesn't become the new direction for New Times. We like the exposés, the arts, the food, the music, the unique people around the Valley, etc. I can't read the Republic or the Tribune, because I'm not a Republican, a Democrat, or a simp. Let's keep it solid and don't force me to blacklist the last remaining bastion of journalism in the Valley.
Normally I would wipe my ass with writing like "Inferno"; now, I'm afraid I might get some kind of social disease in my asshole.
Brad Myers
Scottsdale