If Pete Kotz's article about Larry Dolan ["Requiem for Larry," July 17] was meant to elicit sympathy for Dolan, it failed miserably. I have more empathy for Art Modell than I do for that miserly scumbag. Dolan knew what it would take to maintain the excellence built by Dick Jacobs and John Hart. He tried to sell Indians fans a load of psychobabble crap with swill like "small ball" and "character." It is painfully obvious that Dolan only cares about ripping the fans off in greedy pursuit of the almighty dollar.
As for Kevin Keane, he is the only radio personality at the so-called "Big One" to actually have any balls. Others, like Mike Trivisonno, seem to be in a mad dash to see who can be Larry Dolan's most devoted bitch.
One can only hope that Indians fans can see through the fraud and deceit perpetrated by Dolan and his lackey Shapiro, and boycott this team for the foreseeable future. Only by choking off the money spigot to Osama bin Dolan can we truly reclaim our team. The true shame is that we really aren't able to put Dolan in a pot of boiling oil (as pictured in the photo that accompanied your article). I only pray for his demise as owner.
Scott Dotson
Cuyahoga Falls
The Adam Riedy story missed the mark:
Can I just say that you messed up ["Off Track," July 17]? What should have been an inspirational, heartwarming story about a courageous skater fighting a devastating disease got mired down in ugliness, sour grapes, and accusations. What a disservice to everyone whose name appeared in the article. It definitely left a bad taste in my mouth. How low can you go, saying: "Neither finish was glamorous. He earned the silver after falling and literally crawling across the line." Hmmm. Guy is on track to win a gold, gets knocked down (deliberately, even), and yet he still has the wherewithal to make a dash at the finish line. It may not be glamorous, but it sure as hell was inspired.
Lynette Wilson
Romeoville, IL
Where was Scene for the show of the year?
I've been reading your paper since 1984, so I feel highly qualified to critique you. On July 12, Dio, the Scorpions, and Deep Purple played Tower City Amphitheater to a very fired-up crowd of what I'm sure were loyal followers of one (if not all three) of the bands. Every one of these rockers, like them or not, sounded as good as (if not better than) they did in the mid-'80s. Why weren't you there?
I've seen Deep Purple and the Scorpions four times each, and Dio twice. They were in top form, to say the least. No lip-syncing, no overdubs, no fakery of any kind. I'm very disappointed that there was no mention of this show in your paper. Do you know who reads your rag?
Cleveland is and always will be a kick-ass guitar and drum solo rock and roll town. Fans of Korn, Papa Roach, Eminem, and Puddle of Sludge should've gone to this show to see what hard rock and metal are truly all about. The Deep Purple players are world-class musicians. The Scorpions combine razor-sharp timing with great guitar work and a steamroller rhythm section. Dio, even with the adolescent deviltry in his songwriting, can still bring the heat. His vocals were as good as anybody's out there today. Definitely not bad for a bunch of old farts.
I just wanted Scene to know that the fans of true hard rock are very disappointed that no one there gave a shit about this show. It should be no consolation that your friends at the Free Times didn't give a shit either.
Matt Kirsh
Cleveland
The PD's war on drugs:
The Plain Dealer came out opposing the amendment to reduce incarceration for drug possession. The Plain Dealer thinks that the status quo is just fine regarding the government's reaction to drug use. Regardless of the fact that the government has imprisoned millions of people. Regardless of the fact that it is spending billions of tax dollars limiting our freedom and treating us like children. Regardless of the fact that it has decimated the Bill of Rights executing the war on drugs. The Plain Dealer thinks it's better to imprison people than to help them.
The purpose of the amendment is to break the cycle of drug use and addiction with treatment. To halt the wasteful expense of incarceration. To enhance public safety by preserving prison space for violent offenders. They object. Real progressive, dudes.
Austin Kuder
Seven Hills
Sticking up for Cleveland metal:
As a fellow music reviewer, it's comical to see your review of Gatlin's Current reduced to petty, meaningless drivel because of your lack of knowledge about local musicians [Regional Beat, July 17]. If you had done one ounce of homework, you would have realized that guitarist Don DiBiase does the lead vocals on the song "Current," not Jon Drake. Good to see that your opening slap on Drake is nullified by your lack of knowledge.
Then again, what should one expect from the guy who forgot to review Black Sabbath in an Ozzfest review? As for your reference to Candlebox: nice move. Only problem is that that band is so far removed from the music scene that a majority of your readers won't remember what they sounded like to understand your comparison.
Chris Akin
Editor, Music's Bottom Line
