It’s really great that you solicit the public’s opinion by asking your readers to chose the “bests” on Maui (Best of Maui, July 28, 2005). I look forward to the list every year. By and large, the popular vote indicates chosen establishments are doing something pleasing for the majority of their clients.
So why is [it] that you feel compelled to add your own sarcastic, derogatory editorial comments whenever you don’t agree with the popular votes? Why ask the unenlightened public their opinion if you are subsequently going to bash them for their horrible tastes and lack of insight? Never mind disrespecting the establishments before they can even accept their mostly well-deserved awards. Keep it up and you will prove that the moniker “Best of” is a flimsy cloak woven by idiots; a meaningless dupe. In which case, why should I even buy your paper? You say it’s free? Well, at least I can’t complain I haven’t gotten my money’s worth.
Regardless, even as you seem intent on incessantly proving to us how fabulously discerning, politically correct and environmentally aware you are, you are too often shooting yourself in the foot. I would presume someday you’d all like to work for a paper that actually has a paid circulation. Perhaps your intent in voicing your sense of loathing for the ridiculously stupid public you serve is in hopes a big time editor from the NY Times or Minneapolis Free Press vacationing on Maui will read your piece and subsequently offer you a high-paying job in the Big Apple so you can get out of this dump where no one knows their butt from a coconut and move into an environment where other people are as hip and cool as you.
As you can likely tell, getting lashed by someone’s editorial tongue never feels good. It may show the speaker’s cleverness but it also reveals their darkened soul. Besides telling you that you sometimes come across as jerks rather than the clever wits you intend to portray, I write to make this suggestion for next year’s “Best of” issue. Do as the American Way in-flight magazine does and offer a “she said” and “we say” split. Let the public choose their favorites, then state your editorial preference without bashing the public’s bad taste. That way, I, the reader, can know what the common man prefers as well as the opinion of you fabulously intelligent, well-spoken hipsters.
I just pray you don’t all run off to some big city publication before next year’s issue.
-Anonymous, via email
BLAME OUR READERS
Thank you and your staff for your excellent Best of Maui issue—great categories and choices and delightful writing.
One correction to note, however (No. 69-Best “county” blunder): the Lahaina and Paia bypass projects exist along state highways over which the county has no jurisdiction (had we, I do believe those bypasses would have been completed by now). Despite intensive lobbying on the part of county government through several administrations, the state has consistently deferred or avoided (not sure which) any action on either of those critical roadways for nearly 20 years.
Re: abandoned cars—I hope that by the time you go to print on your next issue, the bureaucratic maze the county has had to tunnel through will finally have been completed and that your readers will begin seeing those junkers hauled off of our highways. And, we’d like to ask that folks report anyone seen illegally dumping to MPD at 244-6400. Mahalo.
-Ellen Pelissero, Public Information Officer, Office of the Mayor
Just wanted to say mahalo to you and the readers of Maui Time for the great honor of being named Best Radio Station! We appreciated being an Editor’s Pick last year, and to get the vote of the community this year means a lot to us.
Thanks also for reminding everyone that Mana’o Radio is entirely listener-supported and volunteer-staffed. We are blessed to have so many dedicated volunteers and loyal supporters, including the musicians who ensure that our fundraisers are always fun-raisers as well.
-Barry Shannon & Kathy Collins, Mana’o Radio
YES, LOOK AT HITLER
To the guy who got the guy beat up for making a wrong turn (Eh Brah, July 21, 2005), I’d just like to say that little anonymous note sort of hit a nerve with me. I think that sort of thing
hits lots of notes with lots of people. Especially all the people who are or are not racists. Let me explain: Maui is an island that was invaded by white men.
White men, in history, do have a tendency to invade places. I mean, look at Hitler. I mean, even now, Bush is invading Iraq. But it’s just that we’re not really white anymore. Not the USA, I mean. Not anywhere, really. We’re an amalgam of every conceivable race on the planet.
The way I see it, we’re all fucked. We can all sit there and bitch and moan about our plight as a human being. Maybe your parents got divorced; maybe your people have been persecuted for centuries because some people think that your religion was responsible for the murder of Jesus Christ (if you believe in that sort of thing). Maybe tourists make wrong turns in your driveway. There’s an endless list of shit to bitch about.
Hating each other isn’t going to get us anywhere. I mean, just look at the Middle East. What’s next, car bombings in Paia? And racism is just soo passe… That shit went out of style in the ‘60s.
-Anonymous, via email
Okay. I’m coming clean now. Since you
don’t know me and emails are notoriously inadequate in revealing innuendo and subtext, I thought I’d clarify that while my earlier email was intended to give you a little grief, the truth is I read your weekly because it is informative and entertaining.
I was heavy handed in reminding you all that a little sarcasm and tantrum throwing goes a long way. I hope it was obvious. I deliberately delivered the message by becoming a sarcastic tantrum thrower myself.EI’m sure you realize by this example that overusing the devise reduces the impact of an otherwise valid objection.
Keep up the good work. Just don’t forget to spread more Aloha than unrestrained criticisms.
-Marti Rosenquist, via email
Comments
comments