Letters: May 17, 2001

Stand out and be counted

In Kristian Gravenor's column [Kristian Perspective, May 10], he suggests boycotting the Canada census. That is not likely in our home. This census is the first time that there is a place for us in the census, because it is the first time that it recognizes same-sex relationships. We boycotted before, and received encouragement from functionaries. Our efforts have helped change the census.

Now, finally, after 20 years living together, we can stand up and be counted.

-- Jim Kroening and Yves Amesse

Injecting Dianetics

While I share film director Paul Morrissey's concerns about the dangers of drugs, I take exception with his derogatory comment on the Scientology religion ["Sex and drugs and rock 'n' roll," May 10]. Times have changed and are still changing. It does not help to reminisce about the good old days when the youth would heed anti-drug slogans from mainline religions' leaders. To help solve the problem, the Church of Scientology sponsors extensive drug education activities that include lectures and documentation. It also supports the secular work of Narconon that uses L. Ron Hubbard's discoveries on the physical and mental effects of drugs to rehabilitate drug addicts.

--Jean Larivière Church of Scientology of Montreal

Last word on critics

Concerning Mr. MacLennan's letter ["Criticizing critic criticizers," May 10], EEEHHH you're probably right. That's what too much beer and womanizing will do to you. You end up with a jaded point of view on everything. Plus a swelled head. I understand that critics criticize, that's their job. And honestly, I enjoy a GOOD critique. I thrive on confrontation.

But I admit to never giving a rat's ass about what critics have ever said before. If I or anyone else had for that matter, no artistic contribution would have ever been made to this community. I feel I may have caught Ms. Barratt at a disadvantage. However, I did see the show she had reviewed and, to tell you the truth, she really didn't get it. So I thank yee Mr. MacLennan, for putting me in your place, and I would like to know when your next bit is. I have a feeling I would enjoy the show.

--F.M. Boivin

I see the International Association of Theatre Critics is having their convention in conjunction with the FTA. This is a great opportunity for all those who feel they've received too negative a review, including recent letter writers. Get out to the big demo to show your outrage. Carry those signs saying "Critics stink." It will be a great chance to promote upcoming shows.

Seriously, some people just want the publicity and not an actual review. Yet a bad review is the risk of seeking a critic's attention. If critics can't be allowed to write what they see, then nothing they say has value.

Most importantly, people should pay more attention to what they see than to what some critic writes.

--Michael Black

Hit the wall

First off, thanks for that BOM award for Best Graffiti Artist for the third year in a row. Thank you for all the votes, I guess I must have made an impression on all my fellow Montrealers.

I just want to point out that there are other writers out there who deserve this award much more than I do, friends who are still insane enough to do city bombing. Mostly KOP crew and HYH crew (morons, spect, produkt, neos... ). None of them got the props that they deserve. They are the ones on the front line. I think if you're going to run a category like Best Graffiti Artist it will always be slanted by the public view of art. What I mean is that graffiti is illegal and foreign to a lot of people. Plain and simple. A lot of people don't like what they don't understand. Fear of the unknown and all that stuff. It still doesn't justify a half-clouded attempt to legitimize an already legitimized art form by letting the public rate it. Citizens just don't get it and will always vote wrong. I hit one wall last year and unless people have been to the States or near railroad tracks, I don't know how the hell I could have been rated. Lastly, I WANT MY PLAQUE!

--Omen

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