Screaming Tom

Letter to the Editor - Sent to Southern Voice yesterday:

Business As Usual - at least in Atlanta

Regarding Chris Crain's editorial "Shooting the messenger," creating change is very possible when the media brings issues to light - usually on a national level. It worked against Pallotta.

On the local level, especially in Atlanta, it's one thing to report on an issue and another to actually do something about it because most of our leaders go unchecked and are not held responsible for their actions and decisions. I seriously doubt anything different will happen at Hotlanta River Expo since most groups have hand-picked Board members who tow the line of the leader - or the Board members are also part of the corruption.

A good example is the 2006 Gay Games bid. When you have 7 out of 10 individuals following the lead of a unscrupulous person - that individual has unchecked control and is able to do right or wrong without impunity. Another good example is Atlanta Pride prostituting themselves to Coors and Coke.

Bad publicity is just part of the game in Atlanta and most people don't even remember the issue a day later. Corrupt and unethical leaders expect this and play on the fact. I don't know what it's like in other cities but the apathy in Atlanta is very high and can only change when people start speaking up.

Tom Dempsey

posted by Tom Dempsey @ 8/31/2002