Going Postal April 20 2005
Mass Transit Confusion
I’ve worked with Tom Marney since 1995 (Humbug Square, “Faith-based commuting,” April 14). Atlanta’s problem is not that too little is being done, it’s that we have no political leaders with the guts to say we have to fix this now; we’ve already wasted 10 years (actually closer to 20). They know what needs to be done, but the political leaders lack the guts to actually lead. I’m working with a coalition of groups that are trying to save mass transit in Atlanta, and of course, especially MARTA. We just completed a meeting with some MARTA representatives earlier this evening (April 13). It’s clear that the state must step into the issue since the ARC and GRTA are not being aggressive enough.
The ARC’s Transit Institutional Study currently underway will not be worth much unless one of the end products is a regional funding system for mass transit that can be enacted during the 2006 legislative session with implementation by the summer of 2006. However, it seems that the Republicans in power are intent on destroying MARTA as it is currently constituted so something else can take its place. So now mass transit is hostage to politics. Again the political leadership is lacking in that it won’t address a crisis today and MARTA is clearly in crisis mode. MARTA is the only transit system in the United States that has no state funding or ever has had state funding yet it is a key part of Atlanta’s and Georgia’s prosperity. Mass transit can relieve the traffic pressures on Georgia’s roads and highways. In light of the rising fuel costs, it is becoming an even more cost-effective way to travel.
- Art Sheldon, Duluth
Cussler’s Last Stand
I read your review for Sahara (“Desert quest,” April 7), and I’m sorry you feel the way you do about the film. You aren’t wrong with your assessment, but still, I’m sorry you found the impossibilities a little hard to swallow. Not sure what you were looking for, but this was an action/adventure fantasy, not a hardcore spy movie. They sent NUMA for God’s sake - not the NSA, or the CIA or Section 3 or whoever. They sent in oceanographers!
However, before you rated the film, you should have considered the source material. In the interest of full disclosure, I own several Clive Cussler novels. That being said, Cussler is one of the worst hacks ever to put a word on a printed page. But I’m probably still going to buy the next one. A working pay phone in the middle of the desert? Classic Cussler. The author’s specialty seems to be breathtaking escapes, ridiculous coincidences and well-researched history. The boat probably never made it to Africa, but I’m certain it existed and disappeared under mysterious circumstances. That, too, is a Cussler hallmark.
Ms. Feaster, Cussler is the all-American writer, for the all-American fan. Facts and reality don’t apply. You almost have to put your brain on pause to enjoy it, and as all-out escapist literature, it works. If you ask, “Why are the characters cardboard cut-outs,” then you lose something. As a middle-American fantasy - where you’re not worried the hero might lose, you’re only curious to see how he wins - it’s a smashing pic.
At least they had the decency to adapt one of the novels Cussler didn’t insert himself into to give his characters a hand. If there is a sequel, you can almost bet that he’ll personally show up with just the right piece of equipment that the Dirk needs to get out of a jam. Oh, it’s stupid, I know, but as writer’s fantasy inside another fantasy, it’s just silly enough and stupid enough to get by.
- Mario Broughton, Atlanta
Hit and A Miss
I was disappointed when your annual “Golden Sleaze” issue (March 31) failed to bestow a well-deserved Arnie award on Rep. Brian Thomas for fighting for the public and the environment against heavy industry lobbyists. But you made up for that oversight with a nice piece heralding Thomas’ success in restoring the automatic stay in environmental appeals for a minimum of 120 days (“Fresh meat vs. Goliath under the Gold Dome,” April 7). Likely the only archaeologist to serve in the Georgia Legislature, Thomas has further distinguished himself as a quiet yet tireless behind-the-scenes negotiator. Thanks for giving this promising freshman his due.
- Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield
May God Have Mercy
I have an odd habit of listening to Christian talk radio on my long commute to work every day, and with fascination and horror I heard preacher after preacher bidding prayers for the Schindlers and for Terri but NONE for Michael Schiavo (Headcase, “Who’s brain-dead?” March 31). My God is a God who sees and feels sorrow with all sides of a problem like the horrible and agonizing one that faced the Schindlers and the Schiavos. It was interesting to hear them villainize Michael, accusing him of all manner of crimes against humanity.
So-called “evangelicals” who are supposed to spread God’s love and respect the dignity of all people gathered round her dying body like hungry sharks and got their sound bites in so they could go down as being on the “right” side of the issue. Shame on them all.
Jesus called out the Pharisees for being obsessed with law and rules at the expense of humanity’s suffering. I wonder if he would have felt the same way about the folks I saw parading themselves around Terri?
In the end, all of the “Christians” did little to soothe or comfort anyone and merely prolonged the pain and suffering of one of God’s children. May God have mercy on them all.
- Tim Black, Atlanta
It is refreshing to read essays that do not mince words (SuggBlog, “Schiavo: Dead but profitable,” March 31). I have been troubled by the presence of Randall Terry throughout this debacle. I feel that he has controlled and organized the protests to “save Terri” by bringing in folks from all over the country. Media has ignored the fact that Terry adheres to the precepts of the Christian Reconstructionist movement, a terrorist group that believes Democracy is heresy and not compatible with biblical teachings. Terry makes no bones about it: He has been quoted as saying things like, “We don’t want equal time, we want a theocracy.” And Bush and Co. are like lap dogs to these scumbags. The world is a scary place.
- John Sirois, Indian Rocks Beach, Fla.??