Tim Russert's Wake; Art Center's Motives; Marc Cooper's "Borders"

Passing Remarks

Regarding the article “A Sinner’s View of Tim Russert’s Passing” [June 20-26], Marc Cooper really got this one wrong. I didn’t know Tim Russert personally, but for years I regularly watched Meet the Press. He may not have been perfect or “delivered the knockout punch,” but most of the time he informed, and after one of his interviews you knew the person a lot better. Maybe the media overplayed his passing, but I think it was because of the high regard most news sources have for him. Sunday mornings will not be the same without Tim Russert.

Most of the time I get what you write about; this time I only sensed a little envy.

C.M. HowardLos Angeles

More on Marc Cooper’s article: Hear, hear. Russert seemed like a nice enough man and his death is sad for his family and friends, but honestly, his passing is not even a blip in anybody’s life. Russert cunningly picked a slow news day to die, and was rewarded with a ridiculous and annoying amount of coverage. The same day, Stewart R. Mott died, a man who made serious, profound social contributions his entire life, and there was not a mention of his passing. Nobody trusts the media, and you can’t blame us when all they do is speak to each other.

Posted June 19 by Judi

I do not see a problem with a soft knockout blow at the end. Tim had them on their knees all the way through. He knew he had them. We knew he had them, and they themselves knew he had them. If they walked away from those interviews thinking they escaped, then they are deceived.

Posted June 20 by Creigh

This from the man who gave Obama a free pass throughout the primaries. It's like the pot calling the kettle dark-colored, or whatever trite figure of speech the kids are using these days. And anyone who listens to Wolf Blitzer and CNN and MSNBC on the radio on their way to Vegas doesn’t have the right to feign shock and embarrassment when those networks devote precious minutes to canonizing Tim Russert.

Posted June 19 by Denise

Art Center’s Monumental Problems

Comments on “Is Art Center Gehry-Rigged?” [June 20-26]. See laweekly.com for more.

The issue at Art Center is not buildings. The issue is priorities. I believe Art Center’s priority should be — must be — providing the very finest art and design education anywhere. Sadly, the college has veered sharply off course. Under Richard Koshalek’s leadership, Art Center has undertaken two massive building projects and is on its way to a third. Richard is well-known for raising funds for buildings and working with celebrity architects. While building proceeds at a fast pace, little attention has been paid to education quality.

Posted June 15 by Clement Mok

Koshalek is right. Architecture inspires great work. Art Center is an institution that must continue establishing itself on a global basis. Whereas most L.A. design schools can simply be of relevance to a local area, Art Center has to continue delivering relevance to an international marketplace. Sure, some may want to dismiss the value of an iconic building — but remember, it is the symbol that resonates and eventually translates into significance. Can Gehry deliver? Maybe not. Perhaps instead of raising $50 million for a Gehry design, let’s shoot for a $100 million Calatrava.

Posted June 23 by Will Wright

What few people have noticed is that Koshalek, through the conferences, the buildings and the new in-town campus, is extroverting what has always been an ivory-tower institution. He is bringing the school off the hill into greater public awareness, and thereby he is opening up a closed system to a healthy interchange between the school and near and distant communities outside the school. Where would Art Center be without its Craig Ellwood building? Koshalek is merely extending a long-standing architectural tradition, from which the school has already benefited greatly.

Posted June 18 by Joseph Giovannini

I was wined and dined several years ago by Richard and crew to entice me to give money to Art Center. When I saw the plans and models, I was amazed at the scale of work and hubris. The capper was the TV studio and Frank Gehry–designed hockey rink planned for the power-plant expansion south of the Turbine Hall campus. That’s when it was crystal clear that the building had nothing to do with the school and everything to do with Koshalek’s need to build monuments to himself.

Posted June 18 by An ex-prospective funder

Overdue Process

Kudos to Marc Cooper for his excellent piece on the border [“Secure Borders? Try Fenced In,” June 13-19]. His account of the misdemeanor prosecutions and the cost of the cattle-call trials is spot on. The backers of these measures harp on and on about the Rule of Law, forgetting (if they ever knew) that the Rule of Law is not about enforcement, it is about fairness, due process and equal protection — something we seem disinclined to provide to immigrants.