Phone Fun

We received a pair of, um, interesting voice messages regarding Matt Brunson's positive review of the Dixie Chicks documentary, Shut Up & Sing ("Let Freedom Sing," Dec. 6). Both were delivered in Southern accents so thick, they almost qualified as foreign languages.

"Tell Matt Brunson that I would understand his review if (incoherent mumbling) had liberalism (more incoherent mumbling) ... but since I (lots of incoherent mumbling) ..."

"Hey, this is one of them country dicks that can't put sentences together.

You suck cock!"

Little Bleeding Hearts

When reading any movie review, pomposity, pretension and self-indulgence are to be expected. Mr. Brunson certainly provides all of this in abundance and adds another far more annoying ingredient for good measure -- his irresistible need to view each film through a prism of unabashed liberalism. Perhaps, in lieu of stars, Mr. Brunson could assign each subject film a number of little bleeding hearts awarded on the basis of how well the film comports with his leftist world view.

-- Bill Garrity, Matthews

Not Your Scene

Charlotte Cason's article "Legends and Sponges" (Dec. 13) was not only disrespectful of the Spongetones but also showed her ignorance of local music. Perhaps she should stick to what she knows about, such as dance clubs, Napoleon Dynamite and Paris Hilton-type activities of her generation. Looking down to see the different levels she might be walking on is a good idea. That is how you keep from stepping on people's toes. She should otherwise go places where she feels less challenged.

-- Chris Michael, Charlotte

A Brewer's Bias

I just read your article "MMM ... Beer" (Dec. 13) and really enjoyed it. I found the historical information to be accurate and liked the offerings you picked to represent the holiday season. They are a wide array of brews of different character spanning the United States, as well as one from England (Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale).

I also thought you did an excellent job describing the flavor profiles of each of the selections. The only request I might add would be to highlight local breweries and brewpubs in the markets that this periodical is viewed. I think that could generate excitement from the different locales. Mind you, I am a professional brewer at a brewpub, so I do have a bias. From the brewpub aspect, we too offer holiday brews. In the fall I offer my 20 oz. Slice of Pumpkin Pie: a spiced pumpkin ale (that uses real pumpkin) in the fall; and then my Winter's Nip Holiday Porter: a hearty brew for the cold winter months.

If you ever have any question on beer and/ or brewing, please feel free to contact me. Prost!

-- M. David Gonzalez

Head Brewer, Rock Bottom Brewery

Charlotte

Alternative Weekly Loses Edge

As a weekly reader of Creative Loafing, I expected your letter to incoming House speaker Nancy Pelosi ("Dear Nancy," Dec. 13) to be scathing as to why she took impeachment off the table. Instead, I hear you describe voters like me as "leftists who bite at the bit for impeachment." Excuse me, but why can't we impeach Bush after he lied about Iraq and shredded the U.S. Constitution via the Patriot Act and illegal spying? Oh wait, I forgot. He didn't have sex in the oval office and lie about it! Oh well, that's an "alternative weekly paper" for ya!

-- John Neal, Charlotte