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Letters are posted as we receive them during the week, and before they are printed in the paper, so check back frequently to see new letters. If you'd like to send a letter to the editor, use this postmarks submission form, or email your letter directly to [email protected]. Thanks for your patience.
A Fun Exercise
RECEIVED Mon., June 12, 2017
Dear Editor,
I was struck by Holly Herrick's comment in your May 26 issue ["The Austin Film Society Unveils Its New Home for Cinema," Screens] regarding the AFS programming at its old Dobie Theatre venue and the consistency she perceives in the organization's work: "It's the new arthouse releases from Thailand and Japan and Germany. Those were going to the Dobie, and those are the filmmakers that we've been showing, and are showing, and will continue to show." Here's a fun exercise for your readers: Find the last time the AFS showed a contemporary arthouse film from Japan (or for that matter, a contemporary arthouse film from Thailand not directed by someone named "Apichatpong").
I was struck by Holly Herrick's comment in your May 26 issue ["The Austin Film Society Unveils Its New Home for Cinema," Screens] regarding the AFS programming at its old Dobie Theatre venue and the consistency she perceives in the organization's work: "It's the new arthouse releases from Thailand and Japan and Germany. Those were going to the Dobie, and those are the filmmakers that we've been showing, and are showing, and will continue to show." Here's a fun exercise for your readers: Find the last time the AFS showed a contemporary arthouse film from Japan (or for that matter, a contemporary arthouse film from Thailand not directed by someone named "Apichatpong").
Pierre Kien
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People Don't Like Change
RECEIVED Mon., June 12, 2017
Dear Editor,
[Re: "Why Does Everyone Hate CodeNEXT?" News, June 9:] People hate CodeNEXT because it makes changes. People don't like change. And their opinion wasn't even asked in the planning. The zoning regulations have prevented the freedom to use property the way you need or want to use it, not to mention providing enough affordable housing. CodeNEXT has been planned for a long time to address these injustices. It is not perfect. Changes must be made. However, meeting ad infinitum with disgruntled homeowners wanting to make sure that only well-to-do single families move into their neighborhood will only create more opposition. It should be voted on as quickly as possible, and changes should be made as needed.
[Re: "Why Does Everyone Hate CodeNEXT?" News, June 9:] People hate CodeNEXT because it makes changes. People don't like change. And their opinion wasn't even asked in the planning. The zoning regulations have prevented the freedom to use property the way you need or want to use it, not to mention providing enough affordable housing. CodeNEXT has been planned for a long time to address these injustices. It is not perfect. Changes must be made. However, meeting ad infinitum with disgruntled homeowners wanting to make sure that only well-to-do single families move into their neighborhood will only create more opposition. It should be voted on as quickly as possible, and changes should be made as needed.
Alison Dieter
Leave Us Alone
RECEIVED Fri., June 9, 2017
Dear Editor,
In response to Michael King's article, "Why Does Everyone Hate CodeNEXT?" [News, June 9]:
I can't speak for everyone – in fact, it takes a collectivist mindset to presume to speak for others. But the fact that a handful of statist control freaks, who don't own the land, can presume to tell everyone else in Austin what they can do with the land they do own, with the threat of discreet violence to those who think the statists should mind their own business and leave us alone to use our land as we please ...
Well, such antisocial behavior makes me want to tell them to go live their own lives and quit butting into other people's lives. I was going to say, "want to tell them to go fuck off," but I thought, nah, don't go there.
In response to Michael King's article, "Why Does Everyone Hate CodeNEXT?" [News, June 9]:
I can't speak for everyone – in fact, it takes a collectivist mindset to presume to speak for others. But the fact that a handful of statist control freaks, who don't own the land, can presume to tell everyone else in Austin what they can do with the land they do own, with the threat of discreet violence to those who think the statists should mind their own business and leave us alone to use our land as we please ...
Well, such antisocial behavior makes me want to tell them to go live their own lives and quit butting into other people's lives. I was going to say, "want to tell them to go fuck off," but I thought, nah, don't go there.
Jim Henshaw
Lamppost Legislator
RECEIVED Thu., June 8, 2017
Dear Editor,
Democrats could nominate a lamppost in state District 46 and still win the seat. Last year, that's basically what we did when we sent the invisible Dawnna Dukes back to the Lege once again ["Lege Lines: Vincent Harding's Hill," News, June 9]. (Heck, at least a lamppost wouldn’t lie to its constituents.) If she’s nominated for yet another useless term next year, I’ll be casting the first Republican vote of my life in the general election. I doubt I’m alone in that.
Democrats could nominate a lamppost in state District 46 and still win the seat. Last year, that's basically what we did when we sent the invisible Dawnna Dukes back to the Lege once again ["Lege Lines: Vincent Harding's Hill," News, June 9]. (Heck, at least a lamppost wouldn’t lie to its constituents.) If she’s nominated for yet another useless term next year, I’ll be casting the first Republican vote of my life in the general election. I doubt I’m alone in that.
Steve Hamlett