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I visited suicidegirls.com for the first time today, just to see if my suspicions about it were right. And they were--as your article alluded to [Boobs, Not Bombs," March 19, 2003], the site appears to be nothing more than the commercialization of a hipster guy's fetishes. Plus, we get to see another version of pitting women against each other--
-esque stats and all. I hate to tell these "girls," but playing into that is never feminist, whatever alternative slant gets put on it.
All that aside, I thought your article was well done. My problem is with the cover shot you chose. I admit that I don't always get what's hip--I think leg warmers look goofy. Hooks sticking into female flesh are not goofy, they are disturbing--real or not. Pain and degradation are not hip and never sexy.
Should women of all stripes be proud of their sexuality and power? Damn straight. But, next time, how about celebrating them rather than sticking them with pins?
Meredith Norwich
Northwest 20th Avenue
WW, FIRE BUREAU TAKE HEAT
The tragic story of Jesse, the collie who fell in a sink hole and was left to die ["Dog Day Nights," WW, Feb. 26, 2003], was inaccurate and missed the point. No one from In Defense of Animals has ever stepped foot on Klyde Comstock's property nor spoken with him. Can I suggest tape recorders for your reporters? Taping laws are one-party consent for phone calls in Oregon, so you don't even need permission.
In your attention to detail Comstock's callous and bizarre reaction to his dog's needlessly fatal misfortune, you let the Portland Fire Department off their much-deserved hook. The only life that would have been risked in Jesse's rescue would have been his own, according to [Multnomah County] Animal Control's director, Gary Hendel. Portland Fire inappropriately assessed the situation, failed to call any other agencies for backup and cold-heartedly left a dog buried alive. Two days later, while Jesse was still clinging to his fragile life in that dark abyss, In Defense of Animals heard about the situation and called Portland Fire for help. They stonewalled us saying to call the fire chief responsible, Gary Warrington, the next day.
It breaks my heart to imagine the despair going through Jesse's mind those three, long, cold days and nights after the human friend that he had devoted his entire life to had left him to die. Animal Control should cite Comstock for neglect or cruelty, and Chief Warrington as well. Portland Fire should be held accountable and measures taken so that this nightmare is never repeated.
Matt Rossell
In Defense of Animals
Northeast 30th Avenue
Editor's note: Rossell correctly notes that the article wrongly stated that an IDA representative initially approached Comstock. Actually, it was a Multnomah County Animal Control officer who, along with a Humane Society representative, was responding to calls placed by IDA and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. WW regrets the error.
WWeek 2015