For me, the dumbing down of the CBC began long before 2007 (“Weak signals,” Cover, Sept. 11). It started with NightLines, which was a brilliant program (about the same period as Augusta LaPaye and Brave New Waves were in full flood). NightLines was abruptly cancelled and replaced briefly with an assortment of people (some interesting, some not) and then just dumbed down to the mediocre. In this last lot, there has been a gradual replacement of innovative and interesting programs (not necessarily classical) with what essentially are DJ programs. Not much intelligent commentary, please (the best example is the transition of Jazz Beat from an entrepreneurial show with interviews and live performances to a mix of stuff, much of which is not really jazz).

The major losses include Global Village (the best advertisement I know for multiculturalism), Two New Hours (which is classical, but in a pretty advanced sense) and a number of intelligent hosts like Catherine Belyea and Eric Friesen.

Radio 2 was definitely not just classical. It was intelligent classical. And it was whole oceans of other things, too: musicals, Senegalese, Robert Bourassa, Hatas.... I think the “new” CBC 2 is a farce. I’ve said goodbye. M. MACK

Australia, New Zealand and the UK have public commercial-free classical music radio. It has long been recognized that classical music does not lend itself to commercials. The longer length of pieces requires bunching commercials and encourages shorter selections. I turn stations off when faced with listening to five to 10 minutes of back-to-back commercials.
This is why other countries have national public classical music stations. I will now rely on satellite radio — Sirius, with its three all-classical channels — but I would prefer to have a Canadian-content source. Wasn’t that one of the mandates of the CBC — to provide a Canadian voice and presence to a big country with a relatively small population? AUSTIN WHITTEN


They like us, they like us not
I just wanted to send in some positive feedback re: your last couple of issues. Two stories that stand out to me are the “Bonfire of inanities” (City, Aug. 28) and “Weak signals” articles. I just found them very culturally relevant, sharp and worthy of the time I invested in reading them. Making me think more critically about T.O., but at the same time making me more proud of Toronto. Keep up these critical types of media- and culture-related stories. I’ll keep reading you guys with articles like that. NOW magazine is “THEN” for me — I’ve been looking for something local and relevant and this is what I like. I see lots of potential with EYE WEEKLY and I hope you can keep moving in the right direction. One thing to really consider changing, which may move the magazine in a new, more positive direction, would be to get rid of those trashy classifieds. Those have gotta go SOON, as that’s not what I want to support.  PAXTON ALLEWELL

I grabbed your paper when I saw you had a major article on CBC Radio 2. But Marc Weisblott’s piece was entirely incoherent. Some paragraphs were such a mess, I re-read them three or four times trying to figure out what his point was. Being arch is no substitute for being clear, and it is helpful if the writer makes links from one section to the next. Surely, you could find journalism students at Ryerson or someplace who can actually find a lead, tell a story, shape an argument and make sense? BARRY STEVENS

Toothless criticism
Re “I want that butt — but smaller,” City, Sept. 11: The whole plastic surgery issue brings to mind the charge by the godly, who constantly scream it is immoral to have body-altering surgery, because it is wrong to change the way that God created us. I have often countered that, if that is the case, perhaps the God Squad should refrain from ever going to a dentist. After all, the Almighty “has a plan for us,” which one assumes is cavities and gum disease. DAVID MAHARAJ

Dickless sexism
Re “Party like it’s 1985,” Letters, Sept. 11: Some things from the ’80s should stay in the ’80s, such as Mötley Crüe and their “Tit-E Cam.” I was at the Mötley Crüe concert at the ACC a couple of years ago. I ended up leaving because Tommy Lee was practically harassing his female audience. When he took out his stupid “Tit-E Cam” and started shouting “show us your tits!” no one responded. Lee was frustrated but kept it up adding immature attempts at insults to the screams: “Come on ladies, show us your tits, what the fuck is this, Ottawa?” Around two girls obliged his mocking and begging. Unfortunately “show us your dick” could not be heard from where I was sitting. It was truly an impulse reaction.

I’ve thought of being in a heavy metal band to have a voice against ridiculous cock rock like Mötley’s Through. One of the things I thought of for a stage show would be a “Dickie-Cam.” However, with further thought, I would not want to insult people who may like my music. Besides, men’s body parts have not been commodified and turned into the pieces of shame and objectification that women’s body parts have been. Equality, to me, would not mean having the hopes of degrading men.

Real musicians do not need such antics and methods of social exploitation of women’s inequality in this society. Good music can stand on its own. DEANNA MICHELLE

Aries that week: you got a rash from a CNE carnie
Hey, I just wanted to say that Emma Riederer, your astrologer, is amazing. The horoscope that she wrote for Sept. 4 was amazingly correct for Aries. I’m still really freaked out. NICOLLE

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