According to Arnold Weinstein ("Not Murder, Just An Accident," Letter to the Editor, Apr. 9), Rachel Corrie's death was an accident. Let's see. A young woman in a bright fluorescent coat sits waving her arms and yelling into a megaphone as a bulldozer some 50 feet away begins moving toward her. When it begins lifting the earth beneath her, she climbs up onto the pile of dirt, at which point she is in eye contact with the driver of the machine and his assistant. Despite this, and ignoring the woman's screams, as well as the presence of seven other activists who have surrounded the bulldozer and are shouting for it to stop, the driver continues forward, crushing the woman underneath the cab of his bulldozer. He then puts the bulldozer in reverse with its blade down and crushes her body a second time. I would love to read Mr. Weinstein's letter about the "accident" that occurred at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
Mr. Weinstein states that, "activists should direct their energies against states and people who support and endorse terrorism." Well, that's exactly what Rachel Corrie did, and in the refugee camp where she died, some of the terrorists are now driving bulldozers.
-- Richard Hornsby, Charlotte
Far From Anti-Semitic
In response to Ira Chase's letter, ("Writer Was Anti-Semitic," Apr. 16): Anti-Semitic? Give me a break, Ira! It's time you realized that any serious criticism of Israel does not constitute racism or anti-Semitism. Calling me anti-Semitic for my letter eulogizing Rachel Corrie for living and dying for her ideals blows my mind. "Never truly supportive of Israel at all," says Ira. Unbelievable! How would he know? Maybe he doesn't have sense to realize that my outrage is both personal and one of genuine loss, because I really did believe in Israel. In the words of ex-Loaf writer Jerry Klein regarding Israel and its current Likudist frame of mind, "Gimme back my trees!"
Regarding the letter of Julie Smallman ("Working For Peace," Apr. 16), to paraphrase David Byrne, there's "some good points, some bad points." Since Rachel Corrie's murder, two more non-violent volunteers of the International Solidarity Movement, wearing bright orange vests, have been shot and critically wounded. Tom Hurndall was shot in the head while protecting children in Rafah from Israeli gunfire, and Brian Avery was shot in the face by a burst of machinegun fire from an Israeli armored personnel carrier. So much for believing in non-violent change. Julie, you pick your heroine and I'll pick mine.
And Ira, in case you're still reading, yes, I'm Jewish and a far cry from anti-Semitic.
-- Lew Herman, Charlotte
Enjoyed The Trip
Thanks for including "Guilt Trip" by Curt Holman in this week's issue (Apr. 9). It's genuinely clever and fun to read. While I'm typing, I'd also like to mention that I consistently enjoy and look forward to Tim Davis's writing.
-- Eileen Amon, Charlotte
Shame On City Council
Thank you for the informative article on the very ill-placed Ferebee Asphalt Plant ("Big Stink Over Asphalt," by Sam Boykin, Apr. 16). Though I appreciate that family's freedom to use the property, they surely know, given the Planning Commission's recommendation last year, that they are doing the worst possible thing for the inner city and its citizens. With Optimist Park and the McGill Rose Garden, there was real progress in revitalizing this blighted area adjacent to First Ward. Was it Mary Newsome's article (Charlotte Observer) that spoke of a possible buy-out by City Council, a land-swap for an alternate site, any solution that would be a win-win closure for this travesty? Next, our city fathers would do well to enforce zoning and buffer requirements. Most cities prohibit this industry from building in the city limits. They could have grandfathered in the existing businesses when re-zoning that area, with clear guidelines about future use of the existing businesses. Shame on City Council!!! Yes, our air pollution is going to cost us federal funding in the near future as well, hardly a good swap for whatever tax base this one plant might generate while the rest of the area declines to offset that "gain." Thank you, Creative Loafing, for caring about the environment and our future.
-- Dorothy D. Hodges, Hodges Taylor Gallery, Charlotte
Wave Goodbye
OK, what is up with "Slow Wave"? Surely, whatever penance or favor owed to DeFrese and Reklaw has been paid by now. Can't we readers catch a break?
Week after week, I skim the "toon" (and I use the term only technically) to see if there's something I'm not getting or, if by some miracle, it will have become funny or even thought-provoking. No luck so far. "Slow Wave" simply doesn't pass muster with the elite likes of "The City," "Bizarro," and "This Modern World."
I'm sure DeFrese and Reklaw are nice as hell, but nice does not humor make. (Think Tim Allen and Garrett Morris.) Keep your eye on "PartiallyClips," too. It has the portent of lameness.
-- Barry Wohl, Charlotte