Postmarks
Our readers talk back.
Fri., Sept. 5, 2003
Credit Muralist John Yancey
Dear Mr. Faires,
Although "The ARA Faces the Music" [Aug. 29] is not your story, the mural featured on the front page is my work. This is now the third time in three weeks that my artwork has appeared on the front page of Austin publications with no credit whatsoever given to the artist (the first two times in the Austin American-Statesman). In fact, there is no implication that there was an artist involved at all, as if this major public artwork simply grew out of the ground in organic anonymity like some tree or a rock. I write to you, as an Austin arts editor, for some guidance in trying to understand why the concept of giving artistic credit when publishing images of an artist's work is such a foreign notion to Austin newspapers. Is it simple ignorance of this very rudimentary and customary practice whenever publishing images of an artist's work, or is it a deliberate decision by Austin's newspapers to publicly disregard and disrespect visual artists?
Thank you for taking the time to read this e-mail and/or passing it on to the appropriate editor. Moreover, any advice or enlightenment about this peculiarity in Austin newspapers' practices would certainly be appreciated.
John Yancey
Editor's Note: The Chronicle supports the arts in town, and it would have been more consistent with our philosophy to have made note that the mural was John Yancey's work. Especially as we celebrate our anniversary, we will be more conscientious that part of our mission is to celebrate and credit creativity and creators. We hope the overall revitalization project maintains the vitality of the mural.
Doesn't Energy Industry Push Conservation?
Editor:
While searching Austinjobs.com for a job, I found a position advertised for a "downtown environmental and Oil & Gas" company (Banks Information Solutions Inc.). Under "skills" was listed: "Must have own vehicle, position requires a short drive to state agencies." I thought the energy industry prided itself on conserving energy, and not polluting the environment. Also, don't most of Capital Metro's 'Dillos go to the state agencies?
I just thought you might like to know about this job ad.
Dale A. Newberger
If English Was Good Enough for Jesus ...
Dear Editor,
I read with amusement J. Mika's "Jobless in Austin" letter ["Postmarks," Aug. 29] complaining about the language skills of city laborers. Surely he was joking, but, if not, his stance was still risible. I would argue that he might lack the skills to work digging ditches. Why would a jogger converse with the laborers he passed anyway? Was he wanting them to fan him, or perhaps, bring him a cold drink?
If indeed he was sincere, I can only speculate that he was echoing the sentiments of yet another great Texan, Gov. "Ma" Ferguson, who stated, "If English was good enough for Jesus Christ, then it's good enough for me."
Mike McKinley
'Chronicle' Rationale on Voting No on Proposition 12 Is Poor
Editor:
Your poor explanation of why to vote no to Proposition 12 was short and sad. Our current system allowed by judges and juries is a lottery with good odds of winning regardless of the merits of the case. This multimillion-dollar carrot for patients, patients' families, and attorneys only further drives frivolous lawsuits. People now sue physicians and anyone for that matter who has an insurance company standing behind them with deep pockets. The only other way to stop this insanity (which is far worse in other states) is to allow physicians not to have liability insurance, and thus, no incentive to sue unless there really is a reason!!!
Darren E. Geyer, M.D.
Is SCIP I Vision Being Fulfilled?
Editor:
Two articles in the current Chronicle mention SCIP I: Jessica Chapman's piece ["Hard Luck in Heritage Heights," Aug. 29] leads me to infer that SCIP I may never have intended to supply low-income housing. Amy Smith's piece ["The ARA Faces the Music"] describes how SCIP I acquisitions form a core of ongoing Urban Renewal projects. Neither article answers a crucial question: On what basis was the SCIP I land "freed up" from those who formerly owned/occupied it and handed it over to SCIP I? My understanding is that when HUD and/or Low Income Tax Credit criteria are employed for this purpose (as Chapman indicates was the case), then accountability exists. Those acquiring the land/property were obliged fully to intend to use it for the purpose of supplying low-income housing.
If the Austin Revitalization Authority, allegedly committed to Urban Renewal without gentrification, is now capitalizing on SCIP I acquisitions (as Smith indicates is the case), is ARA somehow fulfilling SCIP I's original low-income housing commitments? How, exactly? What other profits are being realized from SCIP I, and by whom?
Another thing I infer from both articles is that some people I have always admired and respected may possibly have been involved in feeding at the trough of profitable racist gentrification in Austin via SCIP I and similar projects. This would sadden me deeply. But it would not deter me from exposing the fact. Those with whom I stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the larger fight against very dark forces at this time, are, like me, seriously incapacitated if we have to employ one arm constantly to sweep our own filth under the carpet. The opposition doesn't have this problem. Degeneracy defines them.
David Weiner
What's Wrong With Proposition 12?
Dear Mr. Black,
My name is Trent Turner, M.D. I am the son of Robyn Turner, who you recently referred to in your "Page Two" article [Aug. 15] in regard to your regretful sarcastic response to her letter to the editor regarding her support of the smoking ordinance. I appreciated your apology of sorts. I have always regarded you as a fair writer. And recently, I was a little concerned with your comments regarding Proposition 12 ["Page Two," Aug. 29]. I searched the entire "Page Two" for specific objections to Proposition 12 and found none. But I did find a ton of labeling. Comments along the lines of, "The dumbest proposition ever."
Other Propositions were labeled along the lines of, "A very dumb proposition but nowhere near as dumb as Proposition 12." So I am still wondering, what specifically do you hate so much about Proposition 12? It was such a shame to waste all that paper space and not only fail to reveal your specific objections, but also fail to go into any sort of detail about what Proposition 12 is! The whole "Page Two" was just a bunch of name calling at the expense of a proposition that just about every doctor I know and every person who works daily in the service of giving care to patients and has an intimate knowledge of what is going on in health care malpractice thinks could be a great improvement on the current system. And these are all really, really smart people. Too smart to be voting for something called the dumbest proposition ever. But perhaps you have some real good points, and I honestly just want to hear them. So can you go back to the topic and be specific this time?
Trent Turner, M.D.
City Should Treasure Pioneer Farm
Editor:
The probable closing of Jourdan-Bachmann Pioneer Farms reported recently would be a disaster, for young and old, families and visitors, and especially for classes from Central Texas schools.
The Farm is a unique educational center, which offers learning opportunities available nowhere else nearby. Its hands-on and eyes-on approach to learning Travis County history has been recognized as one of the premier such living museums in the country. Its resources, location, artifacts, museum, and outstanding staff provide unparalleled access to our regional past. Hundreds of school classes each year visit and learn about 19th-century farm life.
We were members of the Friends of Pioneer Farms, through which hundreds volunteered services, gifts, talents, efforts, time, and money. In one recent year, the Farm benefited from over 10,000 volunteer hours, and thousands of dollars were contributed for its redevelopment. (One member of our family has served there more than 20 years as an agricultural educator, so we know about it firsthand.)
The city of Austin should treasure Pioneer Farms and support it even more now, and for the future.
Prescott H. Williams Jr.
Death of Music
Editor:
Looks like First Thursday is taking a hit in the continuing saga of As the Death of the Live Music Capitol of the World Turns My Stomach. My band, Le Reve, was slated to play in front of Gomi this Thursday, Sept. 4. But as it turns out, it seems there were quite loud complaints to authorities that the noise was too much last month. As a result, and according to Steve from the Continental club, a meeting was held this past Wednesday, Aug. 27, in which it was decided that the city of Austin would not grant any noise permits for this event, and city police would be shutting down any music on the street. Does this sound vaguely familiar? It's hard enough to break into the music scene as a new band in this town as it is. Now, it's just another nail in the proverbial coffin.
Respectfully,
John Paris
Artist/Producer, Le Reve
Nominates Letter for Top 50 List of Biggest Idiots
Editor:
In response to J. Mika's letter to the editor ["Postmarks," Aug. 29] questioning whether or not city workers were legal immigrants because he had never heard them speaking English: J. Mika, you are a dumbass. Really. They printed your letter not because you made a good point, but for the purpose of compiling a Top 50 list of biggest idiots in town so that you might be easily identified and publicly ridiculed. The reason you're jobless is not because you don't "'know' someone Mexican," (I am still reeling from that one, by the way), but because you would most likely lower the productivity of whatever office was duped into hiring you.
Hoping you grow up,
Joanna Vaught
