Letters
Letter writer off base on ‘Sun Records’
It seems as though some people can only be happy at the expense of others. I’m referring the Monday, April 10th letter, “‘Sun Studios’ show presents distorted image of Memphis” penned by David Saks and I’m including the Letters staff at The Commercial Appeal in that group for publishing it.
Ironically, I’ve known Mr. Saks since when I recruited he and his 1959 Cadillac for another Memphis film (“Great Balls of Fire”?) many years ago. I’ve been able to disregard most of Mr. Saks previous letters to the editor (usually political), but this one hit too close to home. I was the Picture Car Coordinator (the person who arranges for the antique vehicles) for the series, which if Mr. Saks was examining so closely, is actually called “Sun Records.”
On February 21st, I sent a letter to the Editor (which went unpublished) about the quality of the show (beautifully directed by Roland Joffe, Oscarnominated for “The Killing Fields”), the great pains it took for Linn Sitler and Sharon Fox O’Guin from the Memphis & Shelby County Film and Television Commission to get funding (from Nashville) and the revenue it generated in our city. From hotel rooms to car rentals, antique shops selling their wares, paint and building supplies for sets, office equipment, locations being rented, and yes, old car owners, the city made a lot of money. In fact, Sun Records generated more money than any show ever produced here. I also was proud to point out that a whole breed of young Memphians would learn about their city’s rich history and why musicians from all over the world think of Memphis as a music mecca... and that I thought all Memphians would be proud of the show.
How could I know this and write The CA a letter... two days before the show aired? Because I was invited by the Producers of the show to fly to Los Angeles and binge-watch all eight episodes on the big screen, commercial free, in one sitting. Not only were dignitaries present such as State Senator Mark Norris (who was instrumental in making the show happen) and Kevin Kane from the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, but I had the pleasure of sharing the series with Jerry Phillips (son of the show’s protagonist, Sam Phillips) who told me he enjoyed it.
Mr. Phillips understands, as the producers have stated all along, that this show is not a documentary but a story “based on facts.”
Hall Prewitt, Picture Car Coordinator, Sun Records
David Waters is pushing anti-gun agenda
Commercial Appeal columnist David Waters portrays an annoying attitude of one who believes he is morally superior in his Wednesday piece (April 12, 1B, Local section) about Hope Church raffling off a shotgun, typically used for hunting.
The 12-gauge is one of several items, such as a grill, cooler, golf clubs and television; proceeds will go toward mission work in Southern Mexico.
Waters rhetorically asks: “Should someone bring a gun into a church?” He is naive if he isn’t aware that guns are routinely brought into churches — legally and often with church-leader blessings. He might be surprised how many members are “packing” every Sunday morning.
At the end of his column he acknowledges the good works of Hope Church. But he also tips his gun politics: “In our gun-crazy and gun-weary city and culture, you’d think the church would be the one gun-free zone that wouldn’t support or promote firearms.”
Waters chose biased words. Hope Church is not supporting or promoting firearms. Hope Church, however, is guilty of supporting or promoting hunting -- not considered a sin; it is, however, considered a popular pastime for many, including Christians.
Waters is guilty of using words that make him seem “holier than thou.” And he is also guilty of pushing his personal anti-gun agenda from his own personal bully pulpit.
John Irby, Lakeland
What is wrong with this picture?
Firefighters and police are underpaid and under-appreciated in Memphis. Wages, benefits and pensions must be fought for every day and year, it seems. A retired firefighter expressed his anguish well in the Letters section of The CA on page 6A (April 12, 2017, “Firefighters put it all on the line for city”).
On the next page 7A, I read accolades for the Big River Crossing and a new PILOT for an existing downtown Memphis business receiving a partial tax freeze for eight years. Oden, a marketing firm, will move to another downtown location.
Not in today’s paper, but did you know that senior citizens must reapply each year for a tax freeze on their property tax? What is wrong with this picture? Carol F. Nelson, Memphis Email letters to letters@commercial appeal.com; fax to 901-529-6445; mail Letters to the Editor, The Commercial Appeal, 495 Union, Memphis, TN 38103; or click on the “Submit Letter” link on the Opinion page at commercialappeal.com.