Darlington again: Like any other Thursday morning, I was reading through my Dallas Observer when I came across "And Another Thing" by Sam Machkovech (February 23). What caught my eye was the startling Jolie-lipped Darlington staring back at me. Like the recent Darlington articles, I figured it would poke fun, so I was more than pleased to read it. For his sake, I'm glad he got this CD off--he really needed something. But for the rest of the public or the little girls that buy it, I'm sorry. I don't think I heard more than about eight chords in all those songs, and they sound the same, anyway. I guess history repeats itself, but I didn't think it was note for note. Come up with some original jams--Joey Ramone is rolling in his grave, man. I don't mean this to sound like a bash, but that's just the way I feel.
Thank you for the news and entertainment each week. Keep up the good work.
Steve Smith
Allen
Partying With Laura
In Deep Ellum: I like the fact that Laura Miller came to Deep Ellum, but from my standpoint, it's too little, too late (Is This On?, by Robert Wilonsky, February 23). As a longtime music lover and clubgoer, I said two or three years ago that Dallas couldn't afford to let Deep Ellum go down, and that's exactly what happened--the city didn't react in any tangible way to the high crime rate fueled by a few dance clubs and bars down there. The place has had its time, but the great shows and venues are moving on to places like the Cavern, Hailey's, the Granada, the Aardvark, etc. When was the last time there was a really, really great show at the Curtain Club? It's all just crap like Supercell and Speedtrucker now.
But still, cool story.
Daniel Childress
Dallas
What, No Rhett?
We're pals again: It's a miracle! In your February 16 edition, three things didn't happen:
1. Jim Schutze didn't write another (whew!) long, boring story about the mayor. (Of course, he had to mention her. No Jim Schutze story is complete without the mention of Pearlsy Wolens.)
2. The Old 97's didn't merit any publicity. Have they finally retired? When did Rhett Miller's Social Security start?
3. Sam Machkovech didn't continue his crying jag (not in print, anyway) over the closing of--yawn--Trees.
Suddenly, I love the Observer again. Next week, I know I'll hate you because of (pick one) Jim/Old 97's/Sam, but this week, we're pals again.
Tony Garrett
Mesquite
Dubya's Batty Boys
Admit it--you were wrong: Bruce Bartlett is one former fanatic who has changed his tune, if not his vote ("Right Cross," by Robert Wilonsky, February 16). Bartlett is a devout Reaganite who defoliates Bush in his new book. He joins Paul O'Neill, Pat Buchanan, George Will and William F. Buckley, all of whom reached the point they could no longer suppress their deep disdain for this pathetic pretender to the mantle of Ronald Reagan.
While one can take some comfort that a conservative is telling the sad truth about this administration, it is only a small comfort. For in spite of his own intimation that Dubya is little more than the village idiot, Bartlett is not offering any mea culpa of his own. In fact, in a recent interview on CSPAN, he had the audacity to claim he would vote for Bush again if given the same choice.
Well, that shows one thing Bartlett shares with Dubya--the inability to admit error. You would think wisdom would come even from bad experience but to assert such a proposition while at the same time presenting ample evidence why such a proposition is patently absurd--well, that's just plain batty.
Tom Cordle
Tellico Plains, Tennessee
What God Says
About the end: I want to commend you for raising the very important issue of dispensationalism ("The End Is Near," by Rick Kennedy, February 9) and the "evolution" which is taking place today, particularly within progressive dispensationalist circles.
While I can't say that I agreed with your definitions of the origin of dispensational theology or with some of your assertions regarding the normative/classical position, I can say that you succeeded in pointing out some of the key distinctions between the classical and progressive understandings. Kudos to you in that regard.
I commend you again for presenting the comments of Dr. Dwight Pentecost and Dr. Thomas Ice, two able defenders of the normative dispensationalist position.
I also want to make you aware that Tyndale Theological Seminary (Fort Worth) and the Conservative Theological Society have both been active locally in bringing these important issues to the forefront for a number of years. Dr. Ice has from time to time been involved in both endeavors, and while Dr. Pentecost has not been directly involved in either to my knowledge, his influence on both has been tremendous.
Tyndale Theological Seminary holds fast to the normative dispensational position, based on the consistent application of the literal interpretation of Scripture. In our classrooms you will not find any U2 music videos (my humble apologies to U2 fans). What you will find is a diligent attention to the exegesis of the Bible, not for the sake of "resolving difficulties" or to promote any particular "system" but rather to listen to and understand what God has said. After all, that is the important issue here.
Christopher Cone
Tyndale Theological Seminary
Fort Worth
