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Girl Scouts Take Offense
I am writing to express my disappointment with an article entitled "Make New Friends, But Keep the Old: In the Land of the Stoner, Girl Scout Cookie Season Is High Holy Days," [WW, March 9, 2016]. While the topic would not have been our choice, I respect your right to publish it.
Where I feel the article crossed the line is with its portrayal of Girl Scouts in the associated artwork. This depiction is an inaccurate and irresponsible portrayal. It is disrespectful of the time and effort girls and volunteers put into the Girl Scout Cookie Program and their entire Girl Scout experience. The image of a high Girl Scout leader is in direct contradiction to the commitment to safety that our organization and our more than 10,000 volunteers have made.
The cookie program is an iconic leadership and entrepreneurial program instilling five key skills: goal-setting, decision-making, money management, people skills and business ethics. Girl Scouts work incredibly hard during cookie season—setting goals and stretching themselves. This program is how they fund their activities. Girl Scouts also give back to their communities with the proceeds.
I am hopeful that future depictions will carry more respect for the young women and volunteers at the heart of our organization, and for the century-old tradition of Girl Scouting.
Karen Hill, chief executive officer
Girls Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington
Facebook Court Ruling
This is an outrageous act of asinine stupidity ["The Dislike Button," WW, March 9, 2016]. Warning people of dangerous sociopaths is suddenly punishable because the sociopath might feel "emotional distress"?
Thousands of police departments in the U.S. publish the same type of information on their official websites. It's a public service to everyone, including potential victims. Phil Hutchinson deserves praise, not punishment.
—David Rice
Here we have a man who made the decision to call another male's behavior out in public, and the person who is ultimately harmed is the man standing up for women's freedom from sexual harassment.
For ever and a day, women have had to prove they were assaulted, abused, harassed or raped. Now men cannot speak about the poor behavior of other males too? This is rape culture.
—Jillian Marie Szilagyi
Best New Band Poll
This is a good list ["Best New Band," WW, March 16, 2016]. Hopefully it will silence those who wrongly cried sexism about last year's list.
—"Mytulpa"
Correction
Due to an editor's error, last week's story on the sale of apartment buildings ("Give Till It Hurts," WW, March 9, 2015) incorrectly stated the new cost of utility fees at Douglas Square apartment complex. Rent and utilities on a two-bedroom apartment are going up 10 percent to $875 a month, not $845. WW regrets the error.
Letters to the editor must include the author's street address and phone number for verification. Letters must be 250 or fewer words.
Submit to: 2220 NW Quimby St., Portland, OR 97210.
Email: mzusman@wweek.com.
Willamette Week