Letters for April 3, 2003

Shock and awe … in Berkeley and Davis

Re “Shock and awe … in Sacramento” by Tom Walsh (SN&R Essay, March 27):

We really don’t have to worry about Saddydamn bombing Sacramento. We sent e-mails to Benlardass and Saddydamn notifying them that we have relocated all the infidels in the United States to Berkeley and Davis.

He could make a lot of friends in the United States by concentrating on the relocated infidels and leaving the rest of us alone.

Lou Meyer
Sacramento

Branded for life

Re “Megan’s Law fails all around” by Alex Landon (SN&R Guest Comment, March 27):

Thank you for printing Landon’s accurate portrayal of the thousands of decent men who end up branded and tortured for life by Megan’s Law.

Spineless politicians want to be able to claim they’ve done everything possible to protect women and children. As a daughter, wife and mother of males, I fear for the men in my life. If parents truly want to protect children, particularly our male children, they will demand that our representatives write a reasonable law, one that considers actual forensic psychiatric assessment of an individual’s risk to society, honest rates of recidivism and even the possibility of rehabilitation (imagine that!).

If Megan’s Law is not fixed, more and more of our sons, fathers, brothers and husbands will end up branded for life. Forget about the presumption of innocence. All it takes in the state of California is an accusation, and a man is done for. Forever.

Marci Rosenthal
via e-mail

Corporations and khakis not automatically evil

Re “Anti-corporate khakis” and “Doughnuts talk, the community walks” (SN&R Letters, March 27):

I want to express my disappointment in the way some of the people of Midtown are receiving the news of Krispy Kreme doughnuts possibly opening a retail outlet in our area.

I love the flavor and atmosphere of Midtown and downtown Sacramento and consider myself lucky to live in close proximity to such a diverse and creative area. However, with diversity comes acceptance. I am noticing a disturbing trend of people incorrectly assuming that because a retail store has more than one store, it is labeled as a “yuppie chain.”

I do not consider myself yuppie scum because I sometimes shop at chain stores. Remember that each of those chains was founded by an individual with a vision and the drive to succeed. I have always been impressed by the level of professionalism at Krispy Kreme’s stores and enjoy their product immensely. They are strong supporters of the community and give to many local charities.

I have also been a patron of New Helvetia several times and have been unimpressed with its watered-down teas and surly staff. Consider the possibility that this “local treasure” is not surviving because of its inability to compete product-wise or on a personal level.

I, for one, welcome Krispy Kreme to Midtown. I hope that the people of Midtown Sacramento can put aside their prejudices long enough to have the wisdom to see a good product and source of revenue when they see it.

Elise Flynn
Sacramento

War’s in our name, not God’s

Re “In God’s name” (SN&R Editorial, March 20):

In this editorial, you say that President Bush is leading a “crusade” of good against evil. You say that President Bush is using his Christian beliefs as a basis for the war on terror and our current war in Iraq.

You make a comparison of President Bush to our enemies, the radical Muslim terrorists that we are fighting. Granted, like the terrorists who attack us for being Christians or Jews or for being Americans, we are going after them for being radical Muslims. The comparisons end there.

We are not waging a war against all Muslims period, end of sentence. It is only a war against those who hold strict beliefs that our existence goes against their own beliefs. I do not see any concentration camps of Arab-Americans or Muslims like the atrocity we had when Japanese-Americans were rounded up during World War II. I do not see a great crusade to turn Afghanistan or Iraq into Christian states.

The current war is not a crusade for President Bush to bring Christ to the godless masses. It is a war against those who want us dead. Do you think Osama bin Laden would not put a grenade in Michael Moore’s big mouth, just because he is against the war on terror and all that Bush stands for? I don’t.

Hell, if Saddam Hussein is willing to use chemical weapons on his own people, do you really think he would pass up a chance to use it on the denizens of Hollywood, just because they want peace?

These are wars against men who pose a threat to the lives of all people who do not follow the same beliefs that they do. In bin Laden’s case, [it is] a complete and total belief in the Koran; in Hussein’s case, a complete and total belief that, like Hitler before him, he should rule the world.

John King
via e-mail

No sleaze, but pretty fierce nonetheless

Re “Cherry on top” by Becca Costello (SN&R 15 Minutes, March 20):

I am a professional burlesque performer from New York City. I am active in the cabaret/burlesque community, busting my guts out several times weekly alongside other fabulous performers here in N.Y.C.

After reading your interview with Cherry Malone, I feel compelled to write in honor of burlesque dancers and showgirls all over the country and among troupes in other countries, as well.

I am upset that Cherry would discriminate against some troupes, calling them “strip-o-rama” and insinuating that they are somehow sleazier than what she does. How are the red and black fans relevant to class? It sounds completely absurd.

There are some real heart-and-soul showgirls (who do routines similar to Cherry’s, as well as comedy) involved in burlesque. Most of us are humble, caring and fierce by nature.

Amber Ray
via e-mail

Letter from Debra, Sheba and Jijyo

Re “Man’s best friend” by Jackson Griffith (SN&R 15 Minutes, March 13):

I’ve never written to any newspaper or magazine, although I have wanted to many times and have written hundreds of letters as an environmental political activist. I only mentioned that because your article with your dog was priceless! You do doggies an honor, and sapiens, as well.

Obviously, I am a huge dog lover; I breed Akitas, but I have had wonderful friendships with other creatures (horses, birds etc.), and I have never read a more precious piece anywhere, anytime. Thank you for that. I’m sure my dogs, Sheba and Jijyo, will laugh, too.

Debra L. Hughes
via e-mail

The auditor didn’t say it was the worst

Re “Who’s guarding the union?” by Jill Stewart (SN&R Capitol punishment, January 23):

This letter is in response to a statement made in [this column]. Specifically, this article attributes Geoff Segal of the Reason Public Policy Institute as saying, “The Bureau of State Audits says Corrections is the worst department in California—the worst-run. With the sweetest contracts, their job requirements are the softest, and their abuse of rules and overtime is the grossest.”

This statement is incorrect and mischaracterizes our previous reporting on the Department of Corrections. Although we have issued reports regarding the Department of Corrections, such as the latest one issued in July 2002, titled “California Department of Corrections: A Shortage of Correctional Officers, Along With Costly Labor Agreement Provisions, Raises Both Fiscal and Safety Concerns and Limits Managements Control (2002-101),” we would never single out any department as the worst or worst-run compared with others in the state.

For further reference, all of our reports are available on our Web site at www.bsa.ca.gov/bsa. We ask that you provide clarification to this statement so that others are not misled.

Elaine M. Howle
California State Auditor