The Classical Beaver has a great open letter to Commissioner Dan Saltzman, which I reprint here in its entirety:
“After being alerted to the Mercury’s blog posting this week [“Should City Pay To Send the Symphony to NYC?”], I can only assume that many moons ago, young Daniel Saltzman must have been emotionally damaged by some unspeakable terror at band camp, anxiously guarding against any possibility of hearing the bassoon once more. How else can one explain his rage towards the Oregon Symphony? Seemingly every other week we hear of the city’s police gunning down another vulnerable citizen, which barely elicits a mumble from meek and mild Commissioner Dan. However, mention a one-time request for 0.007% of Portland’s budget to help the symphony accept national recognition at Carnegie Hall, and Saltzman’s passion surprisingly erupts: “Over my dead body!” I suggest the symphony sweeten the deal for the commissioner, and create a provision in the monetary request allowing Schnitzer ushers to taser any snoozing concertgoers.”