Running on Empty

As a longtime reader, I would like to congratulate Marc Cooper on that irresponsible piece of journalism [“Dead Man Running,” Sept. 22–28]. It’s bad enough that most of the public don’t take the time to read the issues, opting instead to read a few lines from an article giving them all the information they think they need, but if you ask me, you have sewn up this election for good ol’ boy Arnold.

Has everyone forgotten what things were like just a year ago? When everything from education to health care and public safety took a major economic hit? Does anyone remember the dozens and dozens of protests that took place, including a major diss from the graduating class at Santa Monica College? I do. I remember, and I don’t want that to happen again. What makes anyone trust this guy the second time around? I’m more than ready to take a chance on someone (anyone) else, but thanks to your article, I may not get that chance.

Patty Hearse

Los Angeles

Papa Don’t Take No Mess

As to Mr. [Ernest] Hardy’s review of James Brown [“Kansas Shitty Woman,” Sept. 15–21], I agree with his assessment of James Brown’s poor delivery of songs that were not his, as well as his opinion of Tommy Rae’s performance (if you want to call it that). True, J.B. should have done more of his own material (perhaps the entire show should have featured only his songs). However, pacing himself as he did, he was incredibly energetic and, much of the time, in good voice.

I’ve been a James Brown fan for more than 40 years. Like most who attended this concert, I did not expect him to perform at 73 the way he did when he was 36. Yes, I agree that he made some poor decisions regarding the show, but he deserved a lot more respect and consideration than your publication gave him. At the end of the show, I remember walking away thinking that, all things considered, I was just glad I got a chance to see him.

David Francis Mays

Los Angeles

Not Quite Carnival

Daniel Hernandez inadvertently revealed why the immigrant-rights movement has fizzled, with his rhapsodizing over the “fiestas patrias festival” that closed the stretch of Wilshire Boulevard that runs through MacArthur Park last weekend [“Immigration Rites,” Sept. 22–28].

The event was strictly commercial. Whereas in other parts of the city, it would have been community-oriented, with local restaurants as the food vendors and booths staffed by government agencies and nonprofits engaging the community, providing information, etc. And where do the proceeds go? As your recent cover story noted, the MacArthur Park area is rapidly gentrifying, and it is symbolic that the only noise at the festival was blaring music, instead of a dialogue about what the future of our community should be. Because of lack of leadership, Los Angeles won’t be Central America much longer, although who knows where the masses that inhabit Pico-Union, etc., will end up once rising rents, etc., force them out?

Dana Gabbard

Westlake District

Winning Slogans

“I am not a crook.” “I did not have sex with that woman.” “The illegal-alien-to-guest-worker path to U.S. citizenship is not an amnesty.” Same old same old.

Barbara Vickroy

San Marcos

Deconstructing Homes

Re: “Green Without Envy” [Sept. 15–21]: As the West Los Angeles manager for the ReUse People of America (TRP), I want to thank Linda Immediato and the L.A. Weekly for helping to create awareness of deconstruction for homeowners who are remodeling or tearing down their homes to rebuild.

More than 85 percent of the materials in an average deconstruction job can be salvaged and reused or recycled. Reusable materials include doors, windows, hardwood flooring, cabinets, tile, fixtures, appliances and lumber (right down to the 2-by-4 studs in the walls).

Arthur Renaud

Los Angeles

Credit Correction

In last week’s Books feature [“Bedtime Stories,” Sept. 22–28], we misspelled the illustrator’s name. The proper spelling is Ken Garduno.

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