Letters for July 25, 2002

Ah, wilderness designations

Re “Banning Bikes” by Michelle Olsen ( SN&R Environment, July 18):

This article neglects to mention an obvious and critical aspect of the issue of wilderness and bicycles. The federal wilderness designation is one of many possible protective designations for our natural landscapes. Alternative designations include National Conservation Areas and Special Protection Areas. Such designations have been enacted by Congress elsewhere and have a proven track record of protecting wild areas from destructive practices. Fortunately, these alternatives do not ban bicyclists or limit low-impact recreation.

Senator Boxer and wilderness advocates stand to gain crucial public support for their efforts to protect wild areas by using different protective designations where appropriate. User groups like mountain bikers will ally themselves to such a moderate proposal, rather than opposing the one-size-fits-all approach of the current wilderness bill. Given the current political climate in Washington, such an initiative cannot afford to alienate those of us who would support land protections that meet the needs of environmentally benign recreational groups.

John J. Gardiner
California State Representative International Mountain Bicycling Association

States trump feds

Re “Here Come the Feds” by Timothy Lynch ( SN&R Guest Comment, July 11):

The conviction by the federal government of Mr. Epis for growing marijuana and our Supreme Court’s assertion that federal laws supersede state laws is appalling to anyone who respects our constitutional rights and freedoms. Our founding fathers knew from experience that a centralized government with powers of its own over the states’ rights was a death sentence to democracy and the basic prerequisite to tyranny. Our forefathers specifically required in the Constitution that the states have autonomy and all powers unto themselves except those specifically granted to the federal government by the states. They knew that the last stronghold against tyranny and for the survival of a democracy was keeping the ultimate power in the states’ hands. They recognized that basic freedom required each state to govern their own according to their own wishes, morals and ideals.

Letting the feds kidnap and imprison one of our own based upon federal laws is flushing our basic democratic building blocks down the toilet.

Remember, the people of California vote for our initiatives and have the right to live as we desire, and remember also that not one person votes for policies at the federal level. Bureaucrats with their arms elbow deep in special interest groups’ pockets, such as the all-powerful prison guards union, impose these laws in order to further the goals of that group. In the prison guard’s case it is getting people in prison and keeping them there.

This is absolutely unacceptable.

Garry Cooper
Durham

Pepper switches teams

Re “Sacramento Dating Game: Trolling for Mr. Right” by Rose Dinelli ( SN&R Cover, July 11):

When the “Sacramento Dating Game” was in the process of being published, I waited in anticipation for something to happen. The subject being Trino’s, a swinger club, excited me. Why not? I’d written the SN&R expressing my angst, disgust, loneliness and frustration with the single life for me, a 40-something, middle-class black woman. Now, I could get my story out and maybe even find a meaningful relationship.

I knew too much about sex, so much that it scared me. The power of it all. So I chose to be celibate for almost two years. I didn’t want anyone having that power over me. I wanted to learn about myself. Also, listening to Dr. Laura every day can mess you up. So can watching Jerry Springer. Did I want to be a straight, spiritual woman, or a woman who runs with the wolves?

Then I met her, yes her, on the light rail. And she is my lover.

Billie Jean (don’t call her B.J.) is gay and we are in love. Placing and answering spicy, personal ads, and my Higher Power helped me find love and acceptance.

Instead of Mr. Right, I found Ms. Right.

Thanks to Rose and SN&R for helping me find happiness.

Pepper Ochoa
via e-mail

Put up or shut up

Re “Child Labor at the Bee” by Sushma Subramanian ( SN&R News, July 11):

I just think it’s sad that someone at the Bee jumped the gun and took the Hmong family off the route just to appease some middle-aged white woman sitting on her fat Armani-clad ass sipping Starbucks coffee and eating La Bou croissants and spying on the neighbors through her miniblinds.

The woman should get a job volunteering to feed the poor or something, if she really wants to evoke change.

Kristine Fairfield
via e-mail

Praying for change

Re “Our Lady of Infinite Division” by R.V. Scheide ( SN&R Cover, July 3):

Thank you for the terrific article. As a Catholic, I appreciate an honest look at some of the activities occurring in this diocese. It is essential that local Catholics learn about these matters so that we can create change.

I was especially appreciative of your insights about the style of the Legionnaires. You are quite correct—they bring in young teenagers and indoctrinate them to obedience and docility, and encourage the same characteristics in their local parishes. As you put it so well, they prefer “young people and naïve communities” to engage in their cult-like activities.

Although I do not have any personal knowledge of Our Lady Of Guadalupe parish, the pattern of the Legionnaires that you report is consistent with the information I have. I am especially pleased that you were able to cite the “cult-like” characteristics of the Legionnaires—this is a problem that concerns many Catholics.

Again, many thanks for your excellent article.

Rita M. Mize
via e-mail

Our lady of past conflict

Re “Our Lady of Infinite Division” by RV Scheide ( SN&R Cover, July 3):

I am a current parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church (OLGC), and I read your article about our church with profound sadness.

First and foremost, I want to emphasize that the problems OLGC has experienced during the last two years have nothing to do with the current crisis of sexual abuse cases facing the Catholic Church in this country. The improper questions allegedly asked during some confessions in our parish do not belong to the same arena occupied only by sexual abuse cases. It is a disservice to the public, and especially to the members of our church, to have mixed both issues in your article.

Secondly, the beginning of these problems at OLGC needs to be clarified. As it is mentioned in your article, there were existing problems at our church prior to the arrival of the Legionaries of Christ. The Legionaries came to OLGC to do their religious work and to bring the house in order. From this reorganization the conflicts in question got started, and during this process the egos of some parishioners were bruised. Briefly afterward, some parishioners decided to distance themselves from OLGC. That was their prerogative. But this conflict is behind us now. Father Salvador Gomez, L.C., has tried tirelessly to bring reconciliation to OLGC, and as a result, most persons who left our parish have now returned. Consequently, any parish members who do not wish to accept this welcoming that is being extended to them at this very moment are only contributing ill will to OLGC. Their dissent is not a constructive criticism, but a very negative attack to our parish.

Finally, I do not agree with your article’s harsh attack to the entire Legionaries of Christ Religious Order, and to our Bishop Weigand. This attack was not needed to explain the theme of your article.

I am sad because your article did not bring any positive message of reconciliation to our parishioners. Instead, it managed to reopen some old wounds, and quite frankly, your article managed to inflict new ones.

Eduardo Ortega
Sacramento