Letters 8/25/05

Cindy Sheehan: hero
Two rallies were held during the week of August 15th in Traverse City and one in Northport in support of Cindy Sheehan’s efforts to meet with the President and to draw attention to the loss of life in a war that was only necessary for the corporations and the hegemonic U.S. ruling elites.
Sheehan has become a real hero to many fed up with U.S. foreign policies. I hope her courage sparks others to stand up and say no to this war and shows the world that not all Americans support the occupation of Iraq and Palestine.
Sheehan’s words are worth repeating: “I want him (George Bush) to tell me, just what was the noble cause Casey died for? Was it freedom and democracy? He died for oil. He died to make your friends richer. He died to expand American imperialism in the Middle East. We‘re not freer here, thanks to your PATRIOT Act. Iraq is not free. You get America out of Iraq and Israel out of Palestine and you‘ll stop the terrorism. There, I used the word -- imperialism -- and now I‘m going to use another word -- impeachment -- because we cannot have these people pardoned. They need to be tried on war crimes and go to jail.”

Marian Kromkowski • Suttons Bay

A good experience
It’s too bad that not only did Genie Aldrich not experience the real Michael Moore who loves good movies, the old State Theatre, Traverse City, the State of Michigan, democracy, and believe it or not, this country of ours; she also missed out on experiencing a whole lot of people who like Michael Moore and love what he and others just did.
There isn’t anything for her to be so afraid of... this was a good experience for this community.
I was one of the 700 happy volunteers.

Lisa Danto •Suttons Bay

Our snowy
Hollywood
In spite of conservative opposition, the Traverse City Film Festival filled an important niche. Northern Michigan should embrace positive progress.
The message sent by the response to this film fest is twofold:
1. “Locals“ welcome citywide activities that aren‘t aimed at tourists.
2. These same people obviously support the cultural and social enhancements the arts provide, be they cinematic, musical, theatrical or otherwise.
While I agree with Mike Morey (Letters 8/11) that the Cherry Festival isn‘t really necessary anymore, I know that it‘s here to stay. Those of us that can‘t stand it have to suck it up, accept it, and find something else to do that week (like work).
Individuals against the TC Film Festival need to adopt this same attitude. Serenity Prayer, anyone?
Northern Michigan will show up on the radars of filmmakers looking for a venue for their projects. If these filmmakers were to do some digging, they would find out the following:
• Scenes from “Die Hard 2“ were filmed in Alpena. There was also a casting call there.
• An episode of “The X-Files“ was filmed in Traverse City.
• Tim Allen made sure that Michigan was featured regularly on “Home Improvement.“ At least two episodes were filmed in Traverse City and Suttons Bay.
• Jeff Daniels came to Northern Michigan to film “Escanaba in da Moonlight.“
• Many talented actors and actresses live in Northern Michigan.
Whether Northern Michigan becomes a snowy Hollywood remains to be seen. Meanwhile, let the film festival be, and soon enough this community will have even more year-round cultural appeal.
Keep the Cherry Fest for the tourists. The locals obviously want more art.

Annaka Dodd • TC

Without a blush
The innocent child who exclaimed, “Look, the Emperor has no clothes!“ would today be called a wild eyed radical.
The boy‘s father would worry about the Vicar calling his family godless conspiracy nuts. His mother would admonish the boy, “Hush, child, our friends will think we‘re terrorists.“ The broadsheets would brand the boy and his family bleeding heart liberals.
And the naked Emperor and his advisers would walk on without a blush.
Where is our national media‘s Lady Godiva today? Who will speak naked truth to naked power?
London bridge is falling down, falling down...
Jay Dasa • Attica

Correction
The joy went out of the Express balloon last week when we learned that we had fallen for the lame “Mars Hoax“ in a Region Watch item. The hoax is circulating on the Internet, claiming that Mars will be at its closest orbit to Earth on August 27. You can hang up your binocs, because it ain‘t gonna happen. At best, Mars will be at its closest to Earth this year on October 30 -- distance: 42 million miles -- appearing bigger than usual, but still a small red dot in the night sky.
View On Our Website