Dear Editor:

I am writing to you in response to an article which I read in your publication about James Hartline. I really can’t help but to feel some empathy for “Saint James Hartline,” as he referees to himself on his site www.jameshartline.com. On the other hand WHAT A NUT JOB!

As I read articles on his site, as well as other articles about him, I am disgusted by what I read. I love how “Saint Hartline”—a junkie, prostitute, thief and a convicted felon that has served over two decades in prison and has “deep seated mental and emotional problems” as his interviews have revealed, has become the moral barometer for San Diego. Regardless of Mr. Hartline’s views, it is fanatical people like him, in my opinion, that help to create conditions conducive to hate crimes, and perpetuate attitudes of ignorance in general. I balk at Mr. Hartline claim’s that he is for “for civil rights” when he and his cohorts are the very ones that are trying to suppress the civil rights of so many. His ignorance is stunning. What is even more stunning is that people are actually listening to anything this man has to say. To say that, “there is an organized effort among homosexuals to lure and recruit individuals into the gay lifestyle, drugs, and pornography, and to intentionally spread the AIDS virus” shows how sick this man really is. I’m gay and unless I missed the orientation, I was never “recruited.”

People die every day because of their sexuality as hate crimes are on the rise across this country, gay people remain the largest target. Mr. Hartline claims gay activist give “the perception to the culture that they are victims.” This is ignorance to the max unless I miss something in the statistics? More than is 924,000 teens run away each year because of their sexuality and of that number 32% (295,680) commit suicide. This must be in part to some of Mr. Hartline’s good Christian “love.” I guess the gay “recruiting” team needs to start working nights and weekends. That’s the sad reality of this world, not the stifling outcries of a man that obviously has deep seated hate for himself, and wishes to spread his hate in society.

There is a desperate need for change, and people need to vote! People need to start saying enough is enough and I think that this man would be a good starting point. For someone like this to ever even be considered for ANY position of power is a frightening thought. If “Saint James,” a self proclaimed “prophet” is allowed to continue his ignorant and malicious tyranny, against this community without an outcry and a stand from the people that he is attacking, we are giving silent approval. We cannot give ANY power to this man by remaining quiet. As nut job Hartline says, “I Have Been Making My Stand! Have You Started Making Yours?”. Well, I hope we all find our place to stand and raise our voice against this madness.

Justin Jones

Dear Editor:

“The primary election for the San Diego City Council District 3 (D3) seat is still nearly a year away, but already candidates are beginning to line up endorsements and receive campaign cash. This speaks to the fact that the upcoming 2008 elections are critically important to the future of our beloved city. I would like to introduce myself to the LGBT community, which obviously makes up a very important voice and constituency in D3.

My name is Robert E. Lee (yes, my real name), and I’m a proud homeowner and taxpayer residing in Normal Heights. I am running as a moderate Republican who also happens to be gay. Yes, a gay Republican. I understand that my party affiliation immediately eliminates me from consideration as a candidate for many LGBT voters in D3. But I assure you of a couple of things: First, there a many, many LGBT persons like me who are Republican, even conservative on some issues. Over the years, I have come to know hundreds of them. And second, for very practical reasons, LGBT citizens ignore the Republican Party at their political peril. Let me explain.

Why am I a Republican? I believe in free-market capitalism, and minimal interference by government in our economic lives. Though we are regrettably faced with ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’, I believe in a strong military defense at the Federal level, and I think that, at all levels of government, public safety is the first duty of government. That makes me a strong supporter of our San Diego Police and Fire-Rescue professionals. In the recent debate over San Diego firefighter compensation, I went on the record as opposing Mayor Sanders’ proposal to give firefighters nothing in the Fiscal Year 2008 city budget.

Why would a LGBT person be wrong to dismiss the Republican Party? To begin with, whether gays and lesbians like it or not, our political system in this country has always been a strong, two-party system. And that means the Republican party is very relevant in our lives. If we as a community are to achieve the full range of rights and benefits we seek, we must work with friendly, compassionate Republicans to forward our cause. That fact puts people like myself at the table to push for the equality that we deserve as gays and lesbians. We cannot rely only on the Democratic Party to get us to where we want and need to be. After all, it was under a Democratic president that we got ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’.

If you would like a limited government, free-market choice in the D3 election, I invite you to take a look at my campaign. [Editor removed Web site]. I will also be appearing at some of the upcoming Pride events in the days ahead. I hope to meet and talk with as many D3 citizens and voters as possible in the future leading up to the election.

Thank you for your interest and support for an alternative voice in our community.

Robert E. Lee