Love Letters, hate mail

All the Angles

(Re: Cover, September 13-19, Vol. 22., No. 11)

Dear UTW:

Do you know that the cover of your current issue says "and the angles sing?" If you meant "angels," it's spelled "angels." "Angles" means acute, right or obtuse. You've made the "angels" cry.

--Hillary Shelton

Editor's Note: We actually meant "angles" because the actual story is talking about church music from a traditional and a non-traditional/contemporary "angle." We knew that the angels and the wordplay would draw attention.

From Trickle to Sea

(Re: "Waiting for the Trickle," September 13-19, Vol. 22, No. 11)

Dear UTW:

In addition to Hamliton's usual twaddle about corporate welfare and the need to fund what he considers "essential state services," he manages to say something completely contradictory.

At one point he states, "... preposterous is the assertion that tax cuts will stimulate even more economic activity. Voodoo economics lives!"

OK. Maybe I'll rat-hole the extra money. Of course I could just sink it in my small retirement fund too. But that would be selfish and wouldn't stimulate the economy either. The fact with most people is that we are hard-wired to spend money. The more you make, the more you will spend (I'm sure you have seen this principle at work in your own life). And if you spend more you stimulate the economy. Therefore his assertion this does not work is much in doubt.

The kicker is a few paragraphs later, when he says, "... they [states] can maintain their spending on the salary of workers, who then go out and spend their paychecks on the local economy."

Let me get this straight. A tax cut that allows me to keep more of my money, i.e., in effect giving me a larger paycheck to spend does not stimulate the economy. However, the state "spending on the salary of workers" (we can only assume he means public sector employees since those are the only kind that get a paycheck from the state) will stimulate the economy. Because those workers go out and spend their paychecks. What? Their money works differently than mine?

Makes no sense. No surprise though, since most of what Hamilton writes seldom does.

--Todd Kreigh

Back from the Grave

(Re: "Misadventure and Excitement," September 13-19, Vol. 22, No. 11)

Dear UTW:

Loved your article on the IMAX "Raiders" re-release. One issue: Paul Freeman is very much alive, and can currently be seen on Cinemax's "Strike Back."

Just a friendly note. Keep up the great work!

--Jay

Keeping the Swing

(Re: "Jamming and the Sky Crane," September 13-19, Vol. 22, No. 11)

Dear UTW:

Ray , old friend and you of excellent intellect, culture analysis and extraordinary writing skills, thank you so very much for stepping up to the forefront on this so important issue. I was a member of the Jazz Hall of Fame Board for about 7 years beginning in the mid '90s. I have always been involved in local jazz events including the Tulsa Jazz Society. Tulsa Annual Jazz keyboard concert beginning in 1992 was my brainchild which I/we nourished up until 2011/12. I feel like I have been a willing/doting parent to this creative event. Now comes this frightful possibility that we may not be able to continue our forward creative march toward success in our mission to promote AMERICA'S ONLY TRULY ORIGINAL ART FORM.

The contribution of CHUCK CISSEL to this effort cannot be omitted, nor diminished from the history of this creative adventure. Chuck brought to the table his years of experience in the fields of Broadway Shows, pop and standard recordings and associations with icons of the music, jazz genres. He has been an integral part of the equation which has produced the Hall in its finest hour. I hope and pray that the Gods and Goddesses of Jazz,and Blues will answer our prayers and pleadings to preserve this bastion of culture and creativity for many years to come. AMEN AND GODSPEED.

--H. Gayle Williamson

I Need Work

(Re: "Rock, Roll & Religion: Church music that plays on both sides of the aise," September 13-19, Vol. 22, No. 11)

Dear UTW:

What a ponderous article. I wasn't sure if it was just about chorale music or Christian rock ... it definitely needed and editor. UTW, are you hiring editors? I'm available.

--Aaron Miller

Editor's Note: Dear Aaron: In fact, we are looking for an editorial manager. If you promise to learn the difference between "an" and "and," we might give you a shot.