The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 14

ist SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2004 A15 THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR WWW.INDYSTAR.COM Opinion Memories of The Avenue, A defense expert's analysis of the misadventure in Iraq jazz was U.IHII...HU mi ummtii BOOK REVIEW Lee Gaillard Tran G. Kim whites could mingle socially prior to integration. Indeed, The Avenue was the center of black social and cultural life during a time when other Downtown clubs and restaurants prohibited black patronage. This social dynamic changed with integration, but The Avenue's cultural life evolved as welL The black community had more social and residential options and took advantage of them as buildings on and around it fell into decay. As a result, clubs received less patronage and went out of business.

Not only did society change during this time, so did the music itself. According to Jack Gil-foy, the director of jazz and music business studies at Indiana University-Purdue University Colin Powell, he was nevertheless secretly flown into Iraq after the fall of Baghdad "without the knowledge of the State Department" Then came the ineffective Pentagon-sponsored Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance. Headed by Jay Garner, it lasted 16 days before being replaced by the Coalition Provisional Authority led by State Department veteran Paul Bremer III. Conditions for concurrent insurgent chaos had, of course, been established when Army Chief of Staff General Eric Shinseki's request for additional troops was ridiculed by Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfo-witz: "the combination of massive looting, arson, and other criminal activities was a function of woefully insufficient numbers of 'boots on the Has conquest of Iraq made the world safer? Take North Korea. Citing former National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski, Record shows Washington has essentially encouraged its development of nuclear weapons: If a threat to the United States "is genuinely serious, the preemption doctrine is not pursued," Pyongyang could initially unleash havoc on Seoul if the U.S.

moved against North Korea. But with Iraq posing no such threat, President Bush initiated his "preventive war" with impunity. Fifty years ago we faced far greater danger from nuclear armed Soviet forces. Record quotes the public response of President Harry Truman when pressured by top military advisers to launch a preventive nuclear strike while we still had the upper hand: "We do not believe in aggression or preventive war. Such a war is the weapon of dictators, not (of) free democratic countries like the United States." Clearly, "Dark Victory" provides considerable food for thought, along with expert analysis of America's misadventure in Iraq.

Gaillard, of Philadelphia, is a free-lance reviewer who writes frequently on defense issues. when nee upon a time, Indiana Avenue was the place and jazz was the thine. Walking on "The Avenue," you'd never guess that it was teeming with at least 20 clubs hopping with great live music every day of the week. Now, jazz fans can find only a handful of such clubs scattered throughout the city. According to "The Lost Jazz Shrines," this phenomenon occurred at the national level as well with the slow disappearance of jazz clubs from the cultural scene in cities such as Kansas City, Newark, N.J., and Washington, D.C.

Those who experienced The Avenue during its heyday can recount an era that can only be described as magical. Thomas Ridley, 81 and a native of Indianapolis, recalls that one could literally walk four blocks down The Avenue in one direction and four down another and hear nothing but jazz tunes seeping through the walls from such greats as Slide Hampton, Wes Montgomery, J.J. Johnson and Freddie Hubbard, musicians who started their craft there. Mary Louise Ridley, his wife, remembers that each year, The Avenue hosted a Halloween march in which families could parade down The Avenue to Monument Circle and through Downtown in their homemade costumes. Russell Webster, a saxophonist, composer and arranger from Indianapolis, also recalled Halloween "as a great affair that attracted people from all over." Not only is The Avenue treasured for its cultural offerings, it also is known for an atmosphere of camaraderie.

Juan-ita Johnson, a retired nurse who has lived here since 1939, re members frequently sitting in the car with her cousins and listening to the throbbing music while her dad went inside to socialize with friends. What's most notable is that this was the only place in which blacks and THE ALL NEW king Indianapolis, jazz musicians began to experiment more with what he calls intellectual jazz, such as bebop. Unlike the jazz that dominated musical tastes previously, these new forms were not easy to dance to. They were more complicated and more sophisticated. As a result, jazz lost its popularity.

Though the clubs are fewer in number now, there doesn't seem to be a danger of jazz dying anytime soon. Ralph Adams, the radio broadcaster of "Sounds of Jazz" on WICR (88.9), believes there are more opportunities for musicians to learn from older players in college programs. But what would best preserve this art is the nurturing of "that feeling." Thomas Ridley describes it as "that thing that reaches inside you and makes you move." It's that urge to bop your head, swing your legs or tap your toes at the thump of the first drum beat or the run of the first melody line. As long as people have it, musicians will always play, and fans will always listen. Contact Kim at tran.kimindystar.com or at (317) 444-6308.

AT $223mor Dark Victory: America's Second War Against Iraq Author: Jeffrey Record Publisher: Naval Institute Press Price: $24.95 projecting unprecedented federal deficits of $521 billion for 2004, on May 6 Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan warned that "our fiscal prospects are, in my judgment, a significant obstacle to long-term stability." Now inject Record's listing of additional presidential off-budget requests totaling $221 billion to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. You do the math. Record reveals how, as post-conflict losses mount, efficiencies accruing from effective U.S. in-vasion tactics were squandered in administration squabbling and inadequate occupation planning. For example, Ahmad Chalabi (convicted of bank fraud in Jordan and only 13 when he left his country) was Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's pick for Iraqi exile point man.

Unacceptable to Submitting letters -4." a ill lfcnAm is" Photo provided by Indiana Historical Society Jazz Ave: The Duke Hampton Orchestra plays a jam session in a club along Indiana Avenue in the early to mid-1940s. The Avenue is where many local jazz musicians started their craft VOLVO S40. STARTING From the 911 origins of President Bush's controversial first-strike doctrine to reasons for post-conflict chaos in Iraq, "Dark Victory" spans the spectrum. Meeting that challenge, Jeffrey Record brings credentials as a defense policy analyst and author of six books (including "Bounding the Global War on Terrorism" and "Making War, Thinking and numerous articles in professional military journals. His good news? "Operation Iraqi Freedom swept away more than thirty years of neo-Stalinist brutality and oppression" imposed by Saddam Hussein on his neighbors and on his own people; in doing so, U.S.

troops and their commanders performed with extraordinary competence while coalition forces demonstrated superb coordination and tactical flexibility. The bad news: This well-documented study shows how "the U.S. war against Iraq in 2003 was not only unnecessary but also damaging to long-term U.S. political interests in the world." "Dark Victory" thus deserves a place beside Bob Woodward's "Plan of Attack" and Eisen-drath's and Goodman's "Bush League Diplomacy" as it: 1) evaluates an assault on a country that posed no imminent threat to the U.S., and 2) assesses flawed neoconservative plans to democratize the Middle East. (Subsequent printings should include a regional map and correct the typographical error in a key date.) As background, Record returns to the first Gulf War, explaining how seizing Baghdad and deposing Saddam Hussein would have exceeded the U.N.

mandate and required occupying powers to spend huge sums restoring the country's social and governmental services. But now, in what some called "a case of the neoconservatives duping a witless White House," President Bush has catapulted us into Iraq without that U.N. mandate and into a tar pit of colossal reconstruction costs. Indeed, with the White House Angry over ruling on partial-birth act District Judge Phyllis Hamilton declared the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act unconstitutional in order to defend the rights of American women. At what point do we bestow these so-called rights upon individuals? Is a human granted rights as it emerges from the birth canal? Is it with the first breath of air that he has earned the right to live, or is it after the umbilical cord is severed? Thanks to Hamilton, thousands of fully formed infants will continue to be murdered annually in this painful fashion.

But as she so compassionately put it, it is irrelevant whether a fetus suffers pain. I believe pro-choice supporters are ignorant of, or have purposely distanced themselves from, the grisly truth. I urge those of you who support Hamilton's decision to view these images and to become familiar with this procedure. Hamilton ruled in defiance of Congress as well as the president, demonstrating judicial activism that is an outrage to many. A petition is circulating for a reconsideration of the act as well as the impeachment of Judge Hamiltoa The petition can be found online at ccamerica.usimpeach.htm.

Kylle Sempsrott Indianapolis Hatred and bigotry of gays has no basis I cannot read one more letter to the editor like the June 14 one from Roy Maxson without responding. My partner and I have been in a healthy, loving and committed relationship for nearly 10 years. Despite the assertion of Maxson that "The health aspects of homosexuality lead to physical, emotional and spiritual death," we, our gay and lesbian friends (most in committed relationships) and our straight friends and family who love us, are perfectly normal, well-adjusted people. I am saddened and outraged that people still let fear, hatred and ignorance determine their attitudes about their fellow citizens. I feel genuine concern for those who might be influenced by Maxson's misguided and uninformed opinions in his role as a physician.

As for the "diseases that result from what homosex- The Star welcomes letters to the editor responding to articles, editorials and events in the news. They must include the author's name, address and telephone number. Please send your letters to: stareditorindystar.com litters to the Editor, The Indianapolis Star, P.O. Box 145, Indianapolis, IN 46206-0145 Fax number (317) 444-6800 By submitting a letter or opinion article, the author grants The Star the right to publish, distribute, archive or use the work in print, electronic, on-line or other format "More content, more power, more space, more delivering." -european car "Definitely the car serious drivers will want to spend time with." "Volvo's going to make a lot of friends with the 'cool all-new -The Auto Page "Car of the Year." -Aulnmumln Magazine "As exemplified with the models and now with the new S40, Volvo is demonstrating that ft can do 'enthusiasm' Just as well as it does -Motor Trend "Attractive, quick and fun to drive, the new S40 is bound to surprise more than a few Volvo (and non-Volvo) drivers." -Road Track" i fjf Jj .1 'zrr Mi 1. 1 tf- -f-nr Ugly Monkey a place to relax and have fun It is true that some regrettable things have happened at the Ugly Monkey.

The Star failed to mention, however, that included in its lease is a provision that gives the bar a certain amount of time to rectify the situation, which it did. The owners hired more security personnel than can be found in any other Downtown establishment They also paid off-duty policemen to patrol the bar. I've seen uniformed police officers on many occasions, and I haven't seen any problems since. I didn't witness the "bar on fire" incident. As a regular patron, I can say that I've never seen any pyrotechnics there.

Here is what I nave seen: People of all races and backgrounds having fun and intermingling with visitors from out of town and from down the block. It's a place where I can take my girlfriend to relax, dance and have a little fun without having to worry about her getting harassed or not being safe. I encourage you to stop by before forming such a strong opinion of the place. Daniel Malllnak Indianapolis Loves reading about Indianapolis from afar I grew up with The Star and read it all my life while I lived in Indiana. We are now Florida residents and I still read The Star through the computer.

It keeps us abreast of your local world, and I know what my children are enjoying and the weather situation without intruding on their busy days. My husband loves IU basketball, and I print every article of interest to him. Being an IU graduate, he still can feel part of that world though he is elderly and suffers all that goes with it. Thank you for making it possible to enjoy The Star each day. It means a great deal to us.

Anne Treesh Winter Haven, Flo. uals do to themselves," being gay or lesbian in itself does not threaten one's health or well-being. The choices one makes, gay or straight, determine those factors. Diversity is a gift that should be cherished and nurtured in any successful, healthy community. Promoting hatred, intolerance and bigotry can only serve to weaken and divide that community.

Chris Tower Indianapolis The real NBA finals was Pacers vs. Pistons The Detroit Pistons owe part of their 2004 NBA championship to the Indiana Pacers. I'm amazed that nobody has made the point that the Eastern Conference Finals between the Pacers and Pistons was one of the hardest-played series ever seen in the NBA, and arguably the most defense-filled series ever. The Pistons entered the NBA Finals at full speed, thanks to the series with the Pacers, while the Lakers were flat I'm a lifelong Pistons fan. Thank you, Pacers, for elevating the level of play in the Eastern Conference Finals to new heights defensively and, in doing so, helping Detroit win its championship.

Joe Levy Jackson, Mich. Pistons fan tips hat to rival Pacers I don't know if you guys really want to hear from somebody in Detroit right now, but I want to take the time to thank the Pacers organization for the baptism under fire it supplied our Pistons. I have the feeling we are going to be rivals for the title over the next several years. That Jermaine O'Neal kid is a star; one day I think he will be able to place "super" in front of star. Great players make great plays.

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