Dear Editor:

An item in Nicole-Murray Ramierez’s column of the issue of 23 JUN 06 was an insult to any thinking person. Nicole seems to be a self serving columnist who writes his opinion to hear himself pontificate. Everyone in this country is quite entitled to an opinion, even Nicole. However, good taste and reasonable decorum should be used.

The piece regarding Gloria Johnson should have been quickly edited out of your newspaper. It is fine to disagree, but trash talking someone who has dedicated her entire life to the betterment of our community, not only in San Diego but across California and the nation, is actually disgusting. Activists are used to the occasional challenge, but Nicole’s blast at Gloria went way beyond the pale. Her column was not civil, and by association smacks of a new uncivil political exchange that is unforgivable. Go ahead, Nicole, and debate, but trash talking is not allowed in a civil discourse.

I am not certain what Nicole has done for our community other than self promotion, and I do not know you, but I do know Gloria Johnson, and Nicole you are clearly no Gloria Johnson!

George W. Zander

Dear Editor:

Thank you so much for doing a feature story on bisexuals (“Straight, Gay or Marginalized” Issue #966). It was well-written, interesting, educational, and included some fabulous quotes from me. I said it’s up to bisexuals and not our gay brothers & sisters to create bi-space in the community if there isn’t one. The editorial responded, “Well, we almost agree, Vanessa. It is the responsibility of the greater community to make sure you have space.”

So, you’re on. You have the ability to provide necessary real estate right the hell now: Change the name of this publication from “GL Times” to “GLBT Times”. Or if that’s too much space, “Queer Times.” I’m sure you can manage it by Issue #976, yes? And if there’s some professional, political, financial, rational, or personal reason why you can’t or won’t, then I stand by my statement—-not out of spite or bitterness, but out of self-respect and parity.

Cheers, Queer People!

Vanessa Kranda

Dear Editor:

Pat Guerriero’s new job, much like the HRC’s Joe Salmonese’s, will be next to impossible to accomplish, however adept they are. As the two leading misleaders of LGBT movements they face a task that’s the political equivalent of sweeping the tide back into the sea.

The tide of American history has always been towards democracy and equality, the inherent goals promised by our First and Second Revolutions in 1776 and 1860. It’s an account of the grand efforts of millions led by daring figures like Sam Adams, Tecumseh, Sojourner Truth, E. V. Debs, Mother Jones, and Malcolm X in great battles to defend and expand the achievements of Yorktown and Appomattox when reactionaries tried to reverse the tide; to extend slavery, limit the vote, stop union organizing, use racism, misogyny and homophobia to divide and conquer, annihilate Native Americans, and extend their power overseas in imperial adventures like Korea, Vietnam and Iraq.

Lesbians and gays were in the thick of those fights, although happily we’re now focused on our own equality. Some happy day we and our allies will win economic and political democracy for everyone. The very next day will unveil the oddity of some people kicking themselves when they realize that they prolonged the struggle while they were entangled with our enemies, the owners of the Democratic and Republican Parties. Fighting for equality while wallowing in the squalid swamps of the twin parties of homophobia retards our struggle, hiding it’s potential in a political closet with the Human Rights Coalition, Stonewall Democrats and Log Cabin Republicans. We won’t see the light of victory until we open the door and leave them behind.

Some are still befuddled by the Democrats because they talk a good line. When Howard Deans with superstitious swine like Robertson he’s against same sex marriage but when he meets with us he’s for it. So if you collect toothpicks whittled from the True Cross, bought a Yugo, or forgot your lithium you’re fair game for the Democrats and you probably think Bill and Hillary are our True Friends.

No such pretense exists for Pat Guerrero, Mary Cheney and the log cabin types. They’re long practiced at swallowing their ‘gay pride’ to back the more openly reactionary of the twin parties of gay-haters. They’re penultimate masochists, forever submitting to Iraqi-murdering oil pirates and bible-thumping swindlers. That’s not just their personal problem. If the Stoneheads are simply befuddled dupes, the Logheads are treacherous.

As Sam Adams , the ‘Lenin’ of 1776 said, ”If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen”.

Our most productive political efforts will be in building the trade union led Labor Party and supporting socialist groups.

Bill Perdue, Roseville