Letters for October 11, 2007

Social support helps rape victims
Re: “The invisible victims” (Cover Story, by Emanuella Orr, CN&R, Oct. 4):

Bravo for the article on acquaintance rape. This raises support for victims. It can be hard for victims to believe and remember what happened, especially if date-rape drugs were used. Then, people claim they aren’t telling a clear story.

When police find a woman alone, passed out and collapsing, they should suspect date-rape drugs. Rape kits at hospitals should immediately test for these drugs. Police should also suspect date-rape drugs if a woman is found wandering, partially naked and unaware of inappropriate behavior, the next day or so. Even if only a small percentage of tests come back positive, supporting victims and deterring predators is worth it.

Immediate testing helps cases, because condoms block DNA. Drugs like GHB induce giddy elation at first, so there aren’t signs of struggle. When a victim’s nervous system—which governs willpower, thoughts and feelings—is controlled from the inside by a predator, the victim feels responsible.

With good support, recovery is possible. I wish the article had ended on that note, because that is what Chico’s Rape Crisis Center provides. Rape disconnects victims from social bonds, so reconnecting heals them. Healing victims is the next best thing to stopping rape, in my humble opinion.

Irene Cardenas
Chico

Response to another humble opinion
Re: “Reader’s two-for-one special” (Letters, by Irene Cardenas, CN&R, Oct. 4):

Am I to understand that you are likening saving lives from West Nile to the sheer, undocumented possibility of cancer down the road? What you are saying is that, yes, we are working on cancer, let’s not take on another health issue. There are so many major tests and publications that have proven that none of your natural/homeopathic products work.

With regard to Chico’s artistic appeal, why are we a laughingstock because of our “Hands"—and not just the price we paid for them?

Mike Brady
Chico

Second-hand yet still first-rate
Re: “Heart of the city beating proudly” (Guest Comment, by Alan Chamberlain, CN&R, Oct. 4):

Mr. Chamberlain’s guest commentary regarding the Best of Chico voting results was a well-deserved, fine piece of celebratory gloating. But why is it “probably just as well that [downtown] didn’t claim any medals in the Thrift Store [category]"? Why would Mr. Chamberlain and the DCBA feel that an award-winning “downtown” thrift store would somehow be less desirable than the award-winning restaurants, florists, music and sports stores?

The Arc Thrift Store has been voted Best Thrift Store for seven years in a row—probably for the same reasons that Mr. Chamberlain points to at the end of his opinion: excellence and customer service. To those two I’d add: the opportunity to help others.

The Arc has operated as a nonprofit charitable community organization providing programs and services since 1953. Our family-support programs offer a variety of efforts designed to strengthen and foster healthy families. With our annual sales of a half-million dollars of a wide assortment of new and reusable items that are inexpensively priced, and the provision of employment opportunities for 70 individuals with developmental disabilities, the Arc Thrift Store really is one of the best of Chico.

Michael McGinnis
The Arc of Butte County

Cover up, kids …
Re: “We’re dirty” (Campus, by Monica Unhold, CN&R, Oct. 4):

I may be a bit old school (born in ‘57). I dated to find a gal willing to have kids. If I realized she was not into it, later girl!

I understand now we’ve got all sorts of things to worry about, so if you must, cover up to save your ass. Even then, lots of stuff is passed by kissing. Know your partner.

I may have been lucky. I have four healthy kids from two gals, all smart as a whip. I abstained, and when I did do it, it was for a reason.

I am not going to bash others, but you must realize you pay when you play. We need to make it mean something again.

Densell L. Peters Jr.
Durham

‘Utterly under-handed’
Re: “A Chico tradition” (Chow, by C. Moore, CN&R, Oct. 4):

The body of the story seems fair, balanced, and probably would have encouraged some people to patronize Ricardo’s. The sub-headline, “What Ricardo’s lacks in taste, it makes up for in service,” is utterly under-handed and contemptuous.

The review seems researched, smart and encouraging, yet someone felt the need to undercut the story with a violent display of reckless journalism. In the article, one line states: “When I’m in the mood for large plates of rich Mexican food, and a generous side of super friendly service, I go to Ricardo’s.” Seems somewhat distant to the aforementioned sucker punch.

In the future, I hope to see the CN&R act its age, and perhaps read a review before tagging it with a low-blow headline.

Robert Gunther
Chico

Editor’s note: As mentioned to Mr. Gunther in a reply e-mail, we do read a review before putting headlines on it—the entire review. Farther down, describing a return visit, C. Moore critiqued the cuisine and stated: “Overall, I was satisfied with our meal, but not overly impressed.” Neither the reviewer nor editors harbor malice toward Ricardo’s.

Open eyes and mind
Re: “Where our money really goes…” (Guest Comment, by Nelson Kaiser, CN&R, Sept. 27):

I found this article very informative. More people need to think this way. Why do we fork out our money when it is being recycled into a chemical bath?

I am a bit younger than the generation that started all this crap. If I knew back then what I do today, these people would be hunted down and put to death—not to be violent, but basically we sit on the highways inhaling all our fossil fuels, we clean our houses to try and keep our environment away from germs, and instead we are polluting our own space that we pay to live in.

Janet Thomas
Ontario, Canada

Bird watch
A trained and imprinted silver falcon has appeared in downtown Chico. It has been spotted chasing, catching and eating pigeons. This bird does not know a fear of humans and will let people approach it when it is on a kill.

Normally this is not a problem, as there have always been birds of prey passing through and getting a meal. It’s a problem with this one because it has leather straps on its legs that can get hung up in a tree, and the bird will die.

I am an active and licensed California falconer. If anyone spots this bird on a kill, please call me at 518-4850 and I will try to pick it up.

Steve Kasprzyk
Chico

Editor’s note: Another option is to call Chico Animal Control at 897-4960.

Correction
Re: “Take Back the Night” (Cover story sidebar, CN&R, Oct. 4): The date for Chico State’s rape-awareness event has changed from the one given. Take Back the Night will be Nov. 15. This has been corrected online.