Great article. I think you nailed exactly what goes on at The Ticket ["Aural sex," September 4]. I think all the boys do a great job, but I wish The Ticket would fess up about [Chuck] Cooperstein and why he was fired out of the blue for a guy who is more annoying than Howard Stern. Most people think it was a money issue. They are paying this fake teenager $20,000 a year plus. For that sum of money, they could hire four of the Roccos, and it wouldn't hold a candle to Coop.
Thanks again for a great article.
Bill
Via Internet
Your article about Dunham and Miller was very informative. I am a woman who actually listens to The Ticket all day (except for Rocco). Anyone who read your article who did not listen to D&M would get an accurate depiction of their show. This is the first time I have read the Observer, and I enjoyed it. I will read it in the future.
Catrina Ware
Via Internet
Killer cafe
I am only writing now in response to Mark Stuertz's August 21 review of Cafe Society because I have been trying to decipher his introductory comments. He begins by critiquing the Cafe's philosophy and mission statement, which is apt considering their importance in defining its identity. I was baffled, however, by the bitter tone of his criticism and frustrated by his obtuse insinuations. If Stuertz is saying that Cafe Society "erect[s] barriers" and "limit[s] free expression," he needs to state this clearly and provide support for his assertions. Clarity and accuracy are the least I expect in any piece of responsible journalism. I was also confused as to why Stuertz wrote as if he was reading this information for the first time. Although I don't believe the mission statement was displayed at the Travis Street location, the philosophy was always prominently displayed.
I also want to offer a different perspective of the new cafe. I was truly shocked by Stuertz's bad experience. Personally, I am thrilled with the inventiveness of the new menu. My favorite sandwich layers portabello mushrooms with goat cheese and greens and is accompanied by delicious marinated vegetables and plantain chips. The quality of the food has been consistently excellent, and, best of all, I can once again enjoy a cup of the tastiest coffee in town.
I did find some humor in this otherwise bitter review. I almost missed it, but Stuertz did like one dish--the "killer Belgian waffle"--which he mentions in an eight-word sentence. Since Stuertz's prose was so descriptive elsewhere, I could only assume that this was a joke. I found it so funny that I read the paragraph aloud to savor the syntax. I also enjoyed Stuertz's joke about the "cliched warehouse touches." How clever to criticize a warehouse for looking like a warehouse. Hilarious!
Susan Stoebner
Dallas
Poverty pimps
Poverty pimps
Sure, now they're getting all hot and bothered, demanding the return of funds from the DCCAC ["Return to sender," September 4], but this has been going on for some time. As a former "number cruncher" from back East, I had to be ready for state auditors to walk in at any moment. I suppose some fudge their books. I never would. Besides being an honest person, those guys scared me.
I have to wonder how many less-than-completely-honest directors of well-meaning nonprofits are escaping scrutiny and skimming scarce funds. Messieurs Sharp and Morales, where are you?
Sheila McKay
Dallas
Learning the hard way
It is hard to have much sympathy for Lisa Richardson ["Hard knocks," September 4], who admits she got the training but doesn't want to pay. If the school had closed before she was able to finish her course, it might be a different matter. If she had the skills, a piece of paper rarely makes the difference in getting a job.
Anonymous
Via Internet
Correction
Last week's cover photo was incorrectly credited. The color portrait of Dallas public schools superintendent Yvonne Gonzalez was taken by Observer photographer Mark Graham.