NOT KNOWING BETTER
John Barry makes a good point in the February issue about Aaron Neville changing “cracker” to “farmer” in Neville’s version of Randy Newman’s “Louisiana 1927.” But both probably missed the nuance that it is President Coolidge who referred to the flood victims as “crackers” and Coolidge would have been so out of touch with the South that he would not have known any better.
—Jim Sparks, Nashville, Tennessee
CHARLIE OVERLOOKED
Tell your record reviewer that Royal Southern Brotherhood has a bass player. His name is Charlie Wooton and he’s damn good. Perhaps the writer should leave his cubicle and check out their show, or at least read the credits on the album he’s reviewing. I expected more from your fabulous publication.
—Lee Campbell, New Orleans, Louisiana
Charlie is not only a great bass player but a fabulous person. He put on an excellent tribute to Cyril Neville at our Best of the Beat Awards in January. We regret that he was not mentioned in the review.—Ed.
The following letters are in response to Jan Ramsey’s January 8 blog post “All Hell Breaking Loose” wherein she questions the Vieux Carre Property Owners and Renters Assoc. (VCPORA)’s position of not making public the number of its members.
STILL HAVE INFLUENCE
An unreasonable plan disguised and positioned as seven essential points is hyperbole. The word “essential” is not an accident. It is used to give the impression that it is more than an opinion, more than the interests of a select few with lined pockets. The only hope for a real solution is to continue to engage and involve those without money but with a voice. If that takes organizing parades and public displays of support, then good!
Our loud voices will serve to do two things that those with cash fear. It will keep this issue in the eyes of the public and away from a back room deal solution and—this is the more important result—it will convince those that a determined group of people without money can still have influence. Big cash money be damned!
—Bob Minnery, Brantford, Canada
UNETHICAL
Shouldn’t VCPORA have to disclose members? Weren’t Carnival krewes “private mission-driven non-profit” groups as well? Didn’t we solve this in ‘92? Let ‘em disclose or quit “parading” …. that is, stay out of public discourse on issues that affect many.
—Al Dunn, Salisbury, North Carolina
I’m not sure if it’s illegal, but it’s definitely unethical for VCPORA to not disclose the number of members. As a nonprofit, most of that information is should be made public and their hesitance to disclose it illustrates how shady they really are.
—Beth Reniff, New Orleans, Louisiana
KEEP ON GOING
Another year has passed by and I have not been able to make the big move to New Orleans. Living here in Illinois is made a lot more tolerable each month with the arrival of my OffBeat Magazine. Thank you so much for keeping this thing going, for everyone there, and for all us travelers who’ve left our hearts in New Orleans.
—Lisa Pflipsen, Rochelle, Illinois
20 YEARS
I’m a long-time subscriber and continue to hold on to about 20 years of OffBeat issues. I don’t get to New Orleans as often as I’d like, maybe once a year. But, OffBeat keeps me connected to my favorite place and I look forward to the beginning of each month when the new issue arrives.
—Bobby Kaplow, Arlington, Virginia
OffBeat welcomes letters from its readers—both comments and criticisms. To be considered for publication, all letters must be signed and contain the current address and phone number of the writer. Letters to the editor are subject to editing for length or content deemed objectionable to OffBeat readers. Please send letters to:
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