Dear Editor,

Gregory Ragsdale reminds us queers that Bill Clinton proved unfaithful to us, more than once [Gay and Lesbian Times issue #816, 8/14/03]. Good Ole’ Boy had more charm than guts.

Yet Dems inch slowly, way too timidly, toward sanity and freedom, while many Republicans want to move in the wrong direction. Guess which “lesser evil” I’ll choose in October. Freedom ‘til death!

Tortuga Bi Liberty

San Francisco

Dear Editor,

I consider your decision to feature/promote/glamorize the use of tobacco as you do on the front cover of issue #816, 8/14/03, to be inappropriate and irresponsible.

Wayne Beau

West Hollywood, CA

Dear Editor,

Ebony Pride Committee would like to thank all who attended the second annual Ebony Pride Festival on Saturday, August 23, 2003. We would also like to thank the volunteers, entertainers, sponsors, all the businesses who supplied fashions for the fashion show and vendors, who contributed much to the event.

As with any group in their foundation years, there were some errors in judgments and unforeseen events. First we would like to apologize to those performers, including Phyllis Jackson, who because of grievous errors in judgment by Ebony Pride and the last minute serious illness of a crucial committee member, were not permitted to perform. We would ask forgiveness to our many patrons who came to see the film festival or hear a performance and it did not happen.

In the next year, Ebony Pride promises to work hard on correcting the faults in this year’s event. If you would like to help plan next year’s event, please e-mail cj.robins@cox.net.

Cheryl Robinson

Communication Chair

Dear Editor,

A while back your paper urged Gay people to vote for Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante to replace current Governor Gray Davis if Davis doesn’t survive a recall October 7th. I am, however, concerned about the man you think should be our next governor.

In his college days in Fresno, I have been told, Bustamante was a member of a radical Hispanic organization named MECHA. This bunch advocated a return of the American southwest to Mexico, and by force if necessary, of all lands once belonging to Mexico. MECHA, moreover, refers to all Americans as “Anglos,” regardless of race or color. When he was elected to the state Assembly, Bustamante became a member of the chauvinistic Latino caucus and proceeded to vote for various bills granting special rights to illegal aliens because he said “they make our beds.” Today he supports everything from fake i.d. cards the FBI calls “dangerous” to discounts for college tuition to driver licences (sic) for said illegals. His constant lobbying for border jumpers got to be so annoying to Gray Davis, that Bustamante was excluded from the Governor’s inner circle in 1999. Davis even ordered Bustamante’s car removed from the executive parking lot!

Today, Bustamante calls for $8 billion in new taxes to “rescue” California from its fiscal red ink nightmare, including raising taxes on beer, alcohol and cigarettes, items he calls “luxeries.” (sic) as well as commercial property! A plan that, if enacted, would almost certainly hurt Gay business owners and their employees. He calls this bilking “tough love.” He then goes onto blame our woes on the energy crisis. He never, of course, mentions that he voted to deregulate the energy industry in the first place! He also would continue to exempt indian (sic) casino owners from the notorious car tax, a group that has contributed millions to his election campaigns.

No matter what you think of the recall, it’s important that we take a hard look at this Bustamante. From what I’ve already said of his record, it’s clear whom he’ll favor in office once he’s elected. In June, he told us “under no circumstances will I enter my name as a candidate.” It took him less than a month to break that pledge of a united front behind Davis, his running mate. Sen. Dianne Feinstein called this move “hypocrisy.” Is this whom we should trust running California?

John Primavera

North Park