Letters for May 19, 2005

Correction: The May 5 Newslines story “Party down” described Tahj Gomes as a non-student living in a student-dominated neighborhood. In fact, Gomes describes himself as a non-student living next to students in a non-student neighborhood. The CN&R apologizes for any inconvenience this inaccurate description may have caused.

‘Reactionary rag’
I once considered the CN&R, if not very radical, a somewhat liberal publication. It saddens me that it has evolved into another reactionary rag. When we live under what amounts to martial law, our government is reduced to puppet clowns maiming history’s stage, and a readjustment to the left is vital, it is essential that our alleged ‘free press” exercise what remains of freedom of speech.

Instead the CN&R issues a parody of all the other ultraconservative crap that pervades the mediocre media. The only ‘free” aspect of your flier is that the cost is right. And I’m amazed that you can even give it away. Print this if you dare. I won’t hold my breath.

Paul Gunther
Chico

Status quo, dude
In your article “Quiet riot bill” [Newslines, April 21], you quote the Chico police chief as saying that Chico State students “are guests here in town.”

I have no idea of the chief’s personal habits, but maybe he shouldn’t inhale so deeply when he’s in the evidence room.

Chico State and its students are this town. (Just think, we could be Corning … wow!)

There is an absolutely wonderful tradition here of being a party town. You couldn’t buy this kind publicity, and CSU is never going to be Harvard.

This city could be New Orleans Northwest, with a Mardi Gras every weekend.

We should use what we have, not try to change it.

Kyle Bowen
Received via email

Back to the roots
Kudos to Jason Cassidy for his well-researched and all-inclusive feature article on the Chico Women’s Club [“Not your mother’s Women’s Club,” CN&R cover story, May 5]. A couple of corrections, however, are needed.

First, the Hester Patrick bequest was in fact $10,000. Hester served as club president from 1976 to 1978. Rosemary Quinn’s term as president began in January 2005. Last summer she served as membership chairperson, which Renee Renaud then took over in January.

With our “Celebration of Women” all-women artisans faire and evening performance last Sunday, we were actually returning to our Art Club roots and traditional means of fund-raising. As far back as the 1920s the club raised money each year by giving a “Hi Jinx” using local talent and inviting women only. This was because the show was “very daring and a bit ‘risquà,’ like wearing bathing suits just below the knee and cap sleeves.”

Rosemary Quinn
President, Chico Women’s Club
Renee Renaud
Vice President for membership

Club rules
In my early days in this area (I moved here in 1970), there were a few sacred gathering places—the Chico Women’s Club, Portuguese Hall, Ray’s Rendezvous, Jarbo Gap. The Chico Women’s Club was the best. I was glad to gain a better historical perspective of the place and to learn of its new metamorphosis. I was also delighted to find an engaging piece in the CN&R that was extensively researched and well written. Well done, Jason Cassidy.

Steve Scarborough
Paradise

Speaking in code
Now 76, I can remember when “bar code” meant “Don’t spit on the floor.”

Stephen T. Davis
Chico

Where’s the justice?
I have sat with my feelings about this issue for far too long. I am appalled that any true American could continue to tolerate the oppression and denial of basic human rights to a whole class of American citizens based on their sexual orientation.

The Declaration of Independence states that all are created equal and are endowed by their creator with the unequivocal rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Our whole culture is supposedly based on the principles of freedom, justice and equality. It seems to me that the right to marry whomever one chooses would fall in the pursuit-of-happiness category.

Most reasonable morality boils down to one basic concept: consent. The difference between charity and robbery is consent. The difference between good sex and rape is consent. If two people, whatever their gender, consent to enter into a contract of marriage, then whose rights would they be violating?

And take it from me, true love is far too rare, awesome and precious a thing for any of us to deny it its ultimate expression in a union of souls. I know the anguish of not being able to be with the one I love. I do not wish for anyone else to suffer this agony. No one should have to suffer fear or shame just to be with the one they love. To all my friends who have found true love and the courage to be together, you all have my undying respect, love and support!

Joel Garrett
Chico

Do your part
A Democracy is run by the people, not the elected officials who, for the most part, seem to have their own financial interests at heart. If the elected officials get a living wage and health care, why not the people? If it wasn’t for the people where would society be?

All of us are equal in the energy that comprises the universe. Teachers, nurses, social workers, field workers, laborers of all kinds, fire personnel and the police (peace keepers, not enforcers of the status quo) are doing the truly difficult work of our society.

CEOs who get a thousand times more than their employees is insanity. The president on a whirlwind tour using taxpayer money to tout the dismantling of Social Security is insanity. Grassroots organizing, being involved in our democracy by working for it, is a sane solution.

Write a letter to an official, go to a meeting and speak out, stand for peace at the Saturday Vigil from 12:30-1:30 on the corner of Third & Main. If you don’t have time or if you find yourself afraid to stand for what you believe in, then ask yourself, “What am I doing that truly promotes democracy? (Voting doesn’t count here.) Why am I afraid? What am I afraid of?”

In closing, I quote Itsama Zing, “When the going gets tough—TAKE MORE RISKS!”

Marcia Eckman
Received via email