LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

[June 23rd, 2004] BART QUIXOTE?

I was saddened by Byron Beck's chastening of Bart Church ['Trouble in Q-Land," Queer Window, WW, June 9, 2004].

Yes, Bart has a reputation for being very difficult at times; I've had some experience of that myself. But on the few occasions I've ventured out into the bars here in town, there was Bart--handing out safe-sex kits, boldly engaging in conversation with strangers about difficult issues and urging people to get tested. Who else is doing this?

Gay men of all ages are getting infected at a frightening pace, and the powers-that-be in the AIDS establishment are straitjacketed by lack of funding, lack of imagination and bureaucratic muck. This, to me, is the real issue, and I wish that your article, in the process of attacking Bart's style, could have addressed Q-Land and the crisis of AIDS prevention in a more constructive way.

It is not "quixotic" to take initiative as an activist when established systems break down, it is admirable, and all too rare. What's tragic is that existing prevention efforts are so inadequate, and that our community is so complacent.

Certainly interpersonal effectiveness is crucial in being an activist, and I hope that Bart is able to hear, and benefit from, the critiques leveled at him from various directions. However, if his public thrashing just results in him slinking away, it's everyone's loss.

David Weissman
Southeast Portland

MADE IN PDX

The situation that the Nose [WW, June 2, 2004] thinks Leatherman Tool Group should apologize for [labeling multitools with foreign-made parts as U.S.-made] is unique to California. Our tools contain an overwhelming number of parts that are made entirely in the United States. A few parts are partially processed in Canada, Mexico or Western Europe. These Leatherman tools were all built and assembled by U.S. workers at U.S. factories. But as interpreted by one California judge, their law prohibits a "Made in USA" representation of a product even if the only foreign content in the product is a single screw.

As much as we'd like to, we are not able to procure all component parts in the United States because of quality, technological or economic considerations. But Leatherman Tool Group has never shipped an existing job overseas, and the company remains committed to keeping and developing as many jobs here as possible.

Leatherman Tool Group has created hundreds of family-wage jobs in this area and continues to run two production shifts daily at its factory here in Portland. In our view, that's nothing to be ashamed of.

Mark R. Baker
Public Relations Manager,
Leatherman Tool Group Inc.
Northeast Ainsworth Circle

THE PRICE OF ABUSE

After reading "The 30-Year Secret" [WW, May 12, 2004], I was both sad and sickened. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, my heart and prayers go out to Susan that she can finally heal and find peace in her life. I was 35 years old before I was able to heal and want her to know it is possible to come out of abuse happy, healthy and whole.

Unfortunately, societal attitudes have not changed very much over the course of human existence. Men still "do what men do." Yes, it's shocking, yes, it's disappointing, but for the most part we just shake our heads and say "but look at all the good things he's done." We play the semantics game and call it an affair instead of sexual abuse. After all, "abuse" is such an ugly word, and "rape" is even uglier. So we call it an affair to create the illusion that Susan actually had a choice or even wanted it to happen.

Susan did not have a choice, nor was she a willing participant. She may have deluded herself into believing she was, and undoubtedly good ol' Neil helped that illusion along. But in the midst of sexual abuse the psyche will go to extraordinary lengths for self-preservation. Neil Goldschmidt used his power and position to use another human being for his own gratification, without any thought or consideration of the profound damage it would cause. As he said, he isn't bothered with guilt.

And why should he be? Even after his remorseless confession, which is nothing more than a desperate attempt to salvage some kind of reputation, people are still hailing all of his contributions to society. What a wonderful man he is! Pioneer Square, Tom McCall Park, light rail, so many people's lives have been forever enriched by his life of public service... all at Susan's expense.

Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars is a small price to pay for the charmed life Neil Goldschmidt has been able to lead. Susan's life of torment is far too big of a price.

Natasha Wiggs
Beaverton

THE TRUTH ABOUT CATS & DOGS

After reading Dave Fitzpatrick's Rogue of the Week [WW, May 26, 2004], I felt like screaming. And not why you might think. These people who bring animals into their lives and then don't take responsibility for them make me sick.

Having a dog or cat costs money; if you don't have money then do not get a pet. It was Belinda Turner's decision to acquire a pit-bull puppy when she knew she had her plate full with a new business. She obviously did not have the time to train Rizzy or to make sure the puppy of six months could not get out from where she was being kept.

If it were my dog that was picked up by Animal Control, I would have begged, borrowed or stolen to get her out. You have to understand how many thousands of animals the animal services take in due to irresponsibility and carelessness of owners. You don't ever leave an animal with a shelter or Animal Control if you don't want to deal with possible euthanasia.

All of this sadness starts not with the animal organizations but with the people who can't or won't take care of their pets. It is important to know where the blame should be placed. Unfortunately, it's the animal that ends up paying with his or her life.

Wendy Stilwell
Southeast Clinton Street