Yesterday, Memphis in May's CEO Jim Holt sent an e-mail to MIM volunteers, asking them to e-mail me to support MIM. And many have - and many have done the "Yeah, the lyrics are bad, but..." rationalization that frustrates me.

Careful readers of my column know that I've gone after rap in all its forms since I took this job in 2003. And this is my second go-round with MIM, which invited Nelly to its show two years ago. No question, MIM does a lot for the community - which makes their dug-in-heels on this issue baffling.

One point that probably deserves clarification in Holt's letter: He contends that Three 6 has always put on a clean show. That's not true. One year (I didn't see it, but I was told by a very reliable source), the show got a bit "raunchy," and women dancing lewdly on stage had to be encouraged to leave. I don't recall that happening when Chaka Khan performed a few years ago, but then again, her music isn't a call for women to gyrate for men's pleasure.

See Mr. Holt's e-mail below.