Glen Warchol states in his article ["Promise keeper?" October 24] that the only segment of the population that holds WRR [-FM 101.1] sacred is the "blue-haired society types." He is wrong. Anybody who likes to be able to tune in to classical music on the radio holds WRR sacred because it is the only radio station in Texas that broadcasts this format.
Warchol's attitude is much like that of hidebound, uptight establishment types who tried to suppress rock 'n' roll when it was being born. He even uses one of their terms when he refers to WRR as a "pinko proposition."
WRR is an example of success in spite of being part of a government bureaucracy, and could serve as a model for government projects nationwide. Selling it out to an outfit that would turn it into an all-sports or all-hyperopinionated jibber-jabber format would result in one more abandoned building in the Fair Park area. As soon as the outfit could, it would declare bankruptcy, collect its spoils, and relocate to another state to rape and pillage elsewhere.
Alice Crawford
Dallas
Another whiner
I am writing to respond to one of the most meanspirited pieces of journalism I have ever read ["Promise keeper?" October 24]. Your ballot form, holding Donna Blumer's life hostage, is in the poorest possible taste imaginable. Lest you think I am writing from her campaign headquarters, I can assure you that the honorable Blumer and I seldom see eye-to-eye.
Regardless, in your publication--one devoted to every form of alternative entertainment from the eccentric to the frightening and downright weird--you can find no room for mainline American and European culture that has been enjoyed by innumerable people for uncountable years.
What is your motive? WRR doesn't compete with your publication. Why can't it be left in peace? It brings a lot of enjoyment to a lot of people, and I cannot see why your green-haired misfit types are down on our blue-haired society types. If it is money, please take note that $38 million is pocket change compared to the city's budget.
As you say, it will fix a lot of potholes, but my take is: It will disappear in one, and we will be without a valuable asset and have nothing to show for it.
Keep WRR-FM, and be liberal enough to let all forms of entertainment live, not just those you think will appall and disgust people.
P.D. Sterling
Dallas
Boring whiner
I have followed with interest your crusade to have the city sell WRR. I am not a "blue-haired society type," just an ordinary guy, but I have been a WRR listener for many years. I have heard classical formats in other cities, and I fail to see the justification for your assault on the quality of WRR's programming. What is so great about what is going on in other cities, and what makes you an expert, anyway? You certainly don't sound like a classical music fan to me. But I suspect that improving the quality of local classical music isn't really your agenda.
Making money isn't the point. And as in the case of WRR, I don't think you get the point. There really are some things that aren't reduced to profits and a bottom line. Hard to believe, isn't it?
I realize that classical music fans represent a small segment of the population in general. But I'll tell you what, Bub, people will still be revering great music when most of the stuff on the airwaves is long forgotten.
Are you looking for a real music crusade? Get a jazz format started. We don't have one in Dallas, or have you noticed? Then you could be building something of value up instead of trying to tear something of value down. There isn't much quality music available, anyway; let's not kill off what little we've got.
Robert Smith
Dallas
Correction
In last week's cover story, "U.S. Reprehensible," the Observer incorrectly reported that Eddie Bernice Johnson was the first post-Reconstruction black state senator in Texas. Barbara Jordan was elected to the state Senate in 1966.
