Dear Editor:

Regarding your editorial “Statue of Wilson a slap in the face to GLBT residents”, it is true that former Republican mayor, California governor and U.S. Senator Pete Wilson was hardly a paragon when it came to supporting gay rights. But then, how many politicians – Democrat or Republican – were during the seventies? Outside of San Francisco and New York City, you could count them on one hand. You need to develop a little perspective and acquaint yourself with the history of those times.

As for what you call Wilson’s “racist” support for a voter-approved proposition that sought to deny welfare benefits, free education and free health care to illegal aliens, there was nothing racist about that proposition. The United States has the most generous immigration policy in the world, admitting nearly one million legal immigrants a year. The great majority of those legal immigrants are poor, non-white, uneducated, and from the Third World. I happen to think we should reduce the number of legal immigrants due to overpopulation (housing shortages, traffic gridlock) in Southern California and other border areas. But that’s another policy issue.

When it comes to illegal aliens who sneak across our borders and cut in front of the long line of legal immigrants waiting to get into this country, it is clear to me that these scofflaws are not morally entitled to benefits paid for by U.S. taxpayers who are legal citizens. The only thing they are entitled to – be they white, black, yellow or brown – is to be quickly deported.

Andrew Towne

Dear Editor:

I am writing to protest your editorial Statue of Wilson a Slap in the Face to GLBT residents. Having lived in San Diego when he was mayor, I saw very little evidence that he created a “hostile enviornment” towards law-abiding Gays. As for “violent behavior” directed at Gays by police, much of this was the result of drug and alcohol abuse easily tolerated by Gay business owners – and, sadly, still ongoing. Male prostitution –especially by men in drag – shamed many of us and was also easily tolerated by irresponsible Gay business owners. So what he didn’t appoint enough Gays to meaningless boards and commissions? Such hand-outs by politicians are more a sign of cronyism than worth.

Such hatred for former Mayor Pete Wilson has less to do with old gossip by disgruntled queens and more to do with his support when Governor of Proposition 187. Too many Hispanic-surnamed Gays hate him for his support of this popular measure.

Illegal immigration is a national crisis as recognized today. Wilson saw the economic and social costs to all Californians of overwhelming numbers crossing our border every day. He used the words “we are under siege,” to describe this disgrace. Should we condemn him for telling us the truth? I say it took guts. For this alone he deserves a statue. Moreover, I resent the use of Gays as an alibi by these so-called “Latino Citizens.” Go make trouble in your own community with this anti-American rubbish. It’s your agenda...not ours. Diversity has nothing to do with condoning outlaw behavior. To believe that it does indicates a lowly-developed sense of morality.

John Primavera

Dear Editor:

After reading your recent article “Statue of Wilson a slap in the face to GLBT residents” I had to take a step back and wonder if you were trying to be one sided or if that is just your approach to every topic you do not agree with. I let the article regarding the fire fighters at Pride slide, even though I felt it was more about spouting hate than providing anything remotely useful for our community. However, after reading this article I do feel that you are truly missing the point and simply trying to stir the pot.

It’s true, Pete Wilson did absolutely nothing to support our GLBT community or to promote diversity in any way. In fact his actions were consistently the opposite when it came to supporting us or the Hispanic community. He was definitely not one of my favorite mayors or governors and I am not a supporter of him or what he stands for. I would not agree with any organization who wanted to honor him as being “someone who fought for equal rights for the GLBT community”... But that is not what they are honoring him for.

By your own words you state, “Wilson reinvented downtown San Diego. He created a vibrant borough that has become a destination point for the city.”

In saying that, you conveniently omitted that by “reinventing” downtown, he created an area that significantly adds to our economy and provides countless jobs for the San Diego community, which include our GLBT and Hispanic communities. Pete Wilson made a significant contribution to what Downtown has become for not only millions of tourists but to the San Diego Community as a whole. For that action, he is worthy of being honored, regardless of if we like him or not, regardless of what he didn’t do to support diversity in our city. He did do good things for our community, it was just in the form of business and development rather than humanity. Fact is, no one is perfect.

It would be more useful and foster more intelligent dialogue within our community if you would present a balanced view of the situation. Don’t under estimate the intelligence of your readers, we do not need to be told what to think. You asked a question, and answered it for us, therefore I wonder, do you really care what your readers think or were you just trying to drive home your opinion?

Tina Indalecio

Dear Editor:

I agree with Nicole! Whose insane idea was it to erect a bronze statue of former mayor “Blackout Pete” Wilson at Horton Plaza?

Governor Wilson was the instigator and champion of utility deregulation which led directly to the staged rolling blackouts of 2000-2001 and allowed Kenny-Boy Lay (George W. Bush’s number one campaign contributor) of the now-bankrupt Enron to rob California of more than $60 billion.

This was the main issue that led to the recall of Gray Davis. It was Wilson who really should have been recalled.

If Wilson’s statue should go anywhere, it should be a rogue’s gallery.

If you haven’t seen the film Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, check it out. It’s so very enlightening!

Carson McIntyre

Dear Editor:

As your City Attorney it is my duty to impartially enforce the law. Officers in our San Diego Police Department presented evidence to attorneys in the City Attorney’s Criminal Division that led to llegal action to close a bath house in Hillcrest. A few misinformed members of the GLBT community have written letters suggesting I sent police into the facility for some sinister purpose. That is not true.

As your City Attorney I have not and would not permit members of the GLBT community to be treated unfairly. I understand the fear and disappointment over the closing of any GLBT business. However, it was to protect the health and safety of the GLBT community that legal action was taken to shut down this particular bath house. My commitment to the GLBT community remains steadfast.

Michael Aguirre

City Attorney