Dear Editor,

Perhaps so many of our “average” citizens skip both the parade and party is (sic) because neither event truly reflects and represents the general populace of the gay community. This used to be about gay pride until the epidemic turned it into lesbian and gay pride. What kind of acronym can one create with the letters “L” and “G” in that order anyway?

Then came the embarrassment of bi- and transgender. C’mon. You’re either gay or lesbian, or you’re straight. The fence-sitters can’t have it both ways, nor can they duck back across the line when things get hot and it’s safer not to be gay or lesbian. Ditto for the trannys.

It amazes me that year after year the pride parades feature choirs and singing organizations that don’t sing! That only a handful of the bars and clubs have floats. And that only a fraction of the community as a whole — where the heck are all of our black, Latino, Asian and Native American brothers and sisters?! — participates in the parade.

Instead of under-appreciated and under-supported groups feeling they have to produce Ebony and Latin pride events and dyke marches, how about making the entire process to participate more inclusive?! For goodness sake, no wonder the bi’s (sic) and trannys are so desperately being included. The minorities within the gay and lesbian minority aren’t being included or courted!

And as for the so-called festival — what a load of horsecrap! Outrageous gate fees to purchase food and trinkets from non-gay vendors and merchants. Why aren’t the local gay and gay-friendly restaurants being encouraged to set up booths? Who the hell monitors this travesty?!

There really ought to be a truly gay and lesbian organization and committee in charge of the annual pride parade and festival that will spend the next nine months leading up the events reaching out to the community — including North County and Tijuana — to make the festivities something to really be proud of.

Lee A. Schoenbart

La Jolla

Dear Editor,

What a very sad day.

I cannot believe it. Arnold for Governor. People here in California wanting to blame Governor Gray Davis for everything that has gone wrong in this state. It takes more than one to tangle. I am very sorry to say that we are nothing but doomed. An actor getting on stage at Sacramento and now what? We are truly in trouble. Arnold hits us with his famous phrase, “I’ll be back?” Oh please Arnold. Get off the stage and keep your filthy —- money out of here. As Arnold said, “I don’t need money to campaign, I have lots of money.” Brag, brag, brag. Sure you do Arnold. So why did you accept large donations from various organizations as well if you have so much money? The right wing hypocritical, conservative, religious, corrupt and filthy money is doing nothing but buying their way into politics. Knowledge? Oh, don’t worry. All you needed was about what, $3500 to run for Governor. What you pay is what you get for service. Experience is not needed. This is exactly what we got. NO EXPERIENCE!! Why is it that the conservative religious hypocrites always come out smelling like Roses? The Republicans are so ready to dig up dirt on the Democrats just to win any election. They always seem to buy their way out of a Septic tank no matter how bad they smell. Amazing how the hypocritical right wing conservative saints always think they are the next best thing to God. I wonder if Bush pumped some money secretly into the California Recall. I would not even doubt it. Oh let’s not forget the Mormons and their filthy-dirty money as well when it came to the decision about same sex marriages. Talk about corruption!! I think churches should start being taxed as well. Non profit my —-!! Look at the corruption that went on in Florida and how Bush bought his way into the white house. I am so very disappointed. Funny, no one seems to be recalling George Bush for what was pulled in Florida denying a large group of people to (sic) cast their votes. Look what he did to wiggle his way into the white house. Come on Bush. Where are the weapons of mass destruction? Did you find all of the evil doers? Did God help you find them? Did you ever find them? Maybe Arnold can help you locate them. He is the terminator. You guys are a big joke. Get ready. You are next for Recall. Watch. I bet there is one being organized at this very moment. I hope so because I will be one of many to sign this recall. How come God did not help us when the towers were hit? Where was he? I am very sad for what happened and it was not right and it will not be forgotten. I truly wonder what we did to piss off so many people in the world to have such a tragedy happen to us? It all boils down to religion. Religion is the problem for what goes on today in this world. I strayed off the topic, but I do not at all have any confidence in our president and I especially do not have any confidence in Arnold. What you Republicans did to this state was wrong. We are a progressive state and want to move forward, not backwards. Gray Davis was doing great and made more progress and took more daring steps than any governor in this country. Darryl Issa, you have done nothing but brought tragedy to the state of California and created more damage than you will ever know. You should cry to your heart’s content. Boo, hoo, boo, hoo. I do not at all feel sorry for you and I do not condemn what you did to the golden state of California. Keep your sorry —- out of this state and don’t ever come back here. Don’t worry. The fat lady will sing soon. But when she does, look out Arnold; because you’re next!!

Steve Sopha

San Diego