Philadelphia story: I for one thought when I read the cover of New Times this week -- "Robrt Pela compares notes with that Philly columnist who dissed Phoenix" -- you were really going to lay into Don Russell and give him many of the reasons we Phoenicians are proud to live here. But instead, your interview only fueled his ideas that we are nothing more than a hick town ("Brotherly Love Fest," Speakeasy, July 24).
You do hint at a few points, aiming for sarcasm that maybe Russell didn't catch upon, but your responses to some of his questions such as "What about the Ostrich Festival in Chandler" and "It's a dry heat" are tired, old answers that make Phoenix sound like a little Podunk town in the Midwest. It didn't seem to me that you were defending our fine city, only agreeing with Russell about how shitty our school system is and how it never cools here during the entire year. It's beautiful eight months out of the year here; it's not Hell on Earth as Russell describes it to be and yet you don't defend us by retorting a "try being here in February, 72 degrees is a nice number."
I didn't care much for the interview. I did read between the lines, as vague as the message was, but it's obvious that Don Russell didn't. Maybe that was your intention, "professional courtesy" and all.
Don Russell is a jackass, and I hope he stays in Philly and never visits our beautiful city. We don't need his stink polluting our Valley. Referring to us as the "Cher Capital of the World" is the dumbest fucking line of print I have ever read in my life. And it was something you yourself instigated with "Cher's farewell tour has been here three times in Phoenix, how many times has she been to Philly?" That is the dumbest question. Whether some singer has done a farewell tour here more than once has nothing to do with our city, our culture or who we are.
On a last note, by saying "it's not like we founded these cities, we just live in them," well, this will be the only time I will agree with Don Russell -- the community makes the city of Phoenix what it is. We help in outlining a path to the future of our city, we don't just "live here." Maybe you just live here, but to me, I am home.
Name withheld by request
Food Fight
No soup for you!: Re: "She Is Not a Crook" (Spiked, July 24). Dug the article. Yes, it would have been more "tasteful" of RoxSand to inform her employees of her decision to leave the building, and a parting-of-ways party would have shown appreciation for their efforts as her staff. Her feelings were hurt?! Big deal! What about the feelings of a person showing up for work and discovering there is none?! C'mon, RoxSand -- take your licks!!!
Name withheld by request
Fight Club
Pride and prejudice: What irony. Cole Bailey Sr., with his prejudice toward Hispanics, sounds like exactly the sort of person who would have been an ideal recruitment prospect for the neo-Nazis, had they not murdered his son ("Skinhead Slayer," Susy Buchanan, July 17). These racist attitudes, all too common in the Valley, are what allow the skinheads to flourish. Yet Mr. Bailey seems completely oblivious to this. Hint to Mr. Bailey: If you really want to destroy the skinheads, work to destroy prejudice. Hint to the rest of us Anglos: Racism can hurt us, too, so we all better get together and create the kind of society in which all our children are safe from racism.
Steve Wallin
Phoenix
Guns and ammo: I read your article about Cole Bailey Jr.'s tragic murder. It's just another example of how far down our society has come that we don't just wipe vermin like Compton and his tribe from the face of the planet. They are simply cowards with limited intelligence who have become complete and utter failures in life, hurt or let down everyone who has ever loved them, and can no longer contribute anything good to this world.
One last request: I was wondering if Mr. Bailey Sr. needed someone to hold and reload one of his guns for him.
Art Wahlers
Phoenix
Media frenzy: I recall that Mark Klaas received no small amount of criticism when he seemed to enjoy the media spotlight a little too much after the abduction and murder of his daughter Polly. Cole Bailey Sr. seems to have taken this to a new, and far more disturbing, level.
Grieving satanic rock-star ordnance-packing Dad. I can smell the movie deal.
Please withhold my name. I don't want this nutcase siccing the Russian mob on me.
Name withheld by request
Vengeance is his: I just read your article on the death of Cole Bailey Jr. and I found myself going through a host of emotions. At first I was curious to know the facts because I recently moved to an apartment complex right across the street from River City Pockets. Then I was struck with sadness and confusion as to why this tragedy had to take place at all! As I read further and learned more about Cole and his father, I grew really angry that this kind of thing happened to such down-to-earth and nice people. I can really relate to Cole's feelings of rage and vengeance. I would feel the same if this happened to my family.
After reading your article, I really wanted to show my support for Mr. Bailey and I hope that the last suspect is captured soon. People like that should not be allowed on the streets. Deep down I hope that the people that Mr. Bailey knows will allow him to get satisfaction. I know some of same kind of people myself. Even though I don't associate with them, I know that they would do whatever I asked them to do in this kind of situation. I know that this might not be politically correct, but I hope these guys get what they deserve when they get to prison!
Name withheld by request
A new fan: I am writing just to let you know how much I enjoy your paper. I moved here two years ago from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and I have been reading New Times since I first laid eyes on it. It is nice to have a paper to read that isn't afraid to piss people off and to make people think. In many ways your articles have brought to light things that the general public doesn't get to hear about. Thank you!
Also in reference to Susy Buchanan's article regarding the Skinhead Slayer, my heart goes out to Mr. Bailey and his family. I do hope that justice is served one way or the other. Excellent article! Thank you for your time, dear staff of New Times.
Tianne Pitz
Apache Junction
Judge Not
Long Row to hoe: When it comes to writing thank you's, most of us are lazy.
Know that there are many here on the Row who appreciate your continued coverage concerning Death Row and the death penalty issues in Arizona ("Off With Their Heads," Paul Rubin, June 26). Your article hits the nail of justice on the judges' head.
Having been through the death penalty system, I can assure you it would be less painful and cheaper for all concerned if the judges would allow the defense the time and money to proceed properly, the first time.
George Kayer
Florence
Cover Your Asbestos
Eyes wide shut: In response to the asbestos being dumped at the Fort Grant prison ("Outlaw Dumping," Robert Nelson, June 12), I can't imagine what type of so-called human being would order this done. Whoever ordered or covered it up needs to be sentenced to a month in the asbestos field with no protection. (An eye for an eye.)
Peggy Davis
Via e-mail
