News

"Nothing like unveiling your landfill plan the week of Christmas to make sure as few people come as possible."

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If it was a white school...: Don't you have anything else to do with your time? I believe you missed the whole point of the Vashon basketball program and what Coach Irons actually did for the students. He took disadvantaged students and gave them discipline and hope. He gave those children an opportunity that they wouldn't have had unless their parents could afford to send them to Vianney and DeSmet, which offer city students scholarships to come play for their basketball team.

How can these students cheat when you have a referee doing the games? These students played and practiced basketball all year round, starting their freshman year. Most of them wouldn't have had a chance or a thought of going to college if it wasn't for Floyd Irons. But these stupid, jealous parents in other school districts can't see that. They were and are the best because Irons brought it out of them. If it was a white school, this article would have never been written.

I'm not saying that Irons is the best character. I'm just saying that what he was trying to do for these boys was a great thing. Look at the news: I'm pretty sure that parents don't put in their minds to raise kids to rob banks, do tax fraud and vote in presidents that can't run their own households. It was privileged information that was gathered, so the writer of the article really didn't do a good job. Who in their right mind would publish a child's address in a public newspaper? I think the character and the integrity of the writer should be questioned. Think about it!
S. Scruggs, St. Louis

News Real, October 26, 2006

Grand Scheme

Down with the dissidents: Malcolm Gay reports in "Grand Debate" that some Grand Center residents and members of the arts district's Masonic Temple are suing Saint Louis University over its use of public funds to build a new sports arena. I disagree with the dissidents. I was recently a victim of crime while visiting midtown St. Louis. Perhaps SLU's new arena could be the answer to making the area safer.

As it stands now, there are deserted buildings in the area. A 2004 plan to reduce the crime rate in deserted areas of Baltimore stated that worthwhile projects would stimulate positive activity. Baltimore's crime rate has declined significantly according to the thirteenth edition of Morgan Quitno Press' published rankings. Perhaps an initiative like the one the university is proposing will do the same for St. Louis.

The sports arena also has the capability to stimulate the economy. According to an October 29 report on National Public Radio, the new Busch Stadium beautified a downtown St. Louis area that was once an eyesore and a tragedy. Now the area has grown economically with 50 new businesses opening. The growth provides more jobs and stimulates the environment to promote tourism.

The dissidents need to look beyond their personal issues and think about midtown St. Louis as a whole. I am glad to see that the majority of the residents and outside supporters are in favor of the project. My hopes are that SLU will prevail and do something positive for the Grand Center area.
Melissa Benton-Hopper, Florissant

Unreal, October 26, 2006

Unreal Fan

Keep it "coming" — ha! I thought Trojan Victory and the Bud stuff was funny as hell. Keep it "coming," man! (ha, ha, ha.)
Steve Cobb, Austin, Texas

Feature, October 12, 2006

Lewis & Clark Disembark

Man overboard: The antics of the people who've been re-enacting one of the greatest human adventure's in recorded history are predictable behavior, and Malcolm Gay's "Lewis & Clark & Clark & Clark" was an unremarkable write-up.

No good result could come of such material without slanting the article humorously. Lacking this, readers could get bored. Even the people taking part in the expeditions got bored.
John D. Coty, St. Louis

News Real, October 12, 2006 Thin Ice

How about a decent goalie, Dave? Dave Checketts' "new" ideas about cheaper tickets and the Ice Girls are good for Blues fans. However, he needs to invest his money in obtaining a quality goalie and players who can send the Blues to the playoffs, rather than giving us another dismal season.
Luis Martinez, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland

Riverfront Times is looking for freelance writers to help us add to our coverage of local theater. Please send clips, résumé and cover letter to:

Tom Finkel, editor
Riverfront Times
6358 Delmar Boulevard, #200
St. Louis, MO 63130

Or via e-mail to
tom.finkel@riverfronttimes.com

No phone calls, please.

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