While I fail to understand it, I’m beginning to view his fascination with me almost as a badge of honor. In his most recent article, “No Snickers for Snickers” Bay Times, Feb. 8, 2007), Chris Crain, once again, misses the bigger picture.

The Human Rights Campaign and other gay rights organizations complained not about the ad that aired but about the online campaign which featured homophobic football players and alternative endings to the ad that depicted violence in reaction to two men kissing. The complaints raised were not exclusive to the original ad that aired during the Super Bowl. Chris would be more credible if he commented on the facts rather than contorting them to suit his clear manic biases.

Ironically, Chris seems perfectly capable of getting his facts straight when discussing Judy Shepard’s reaction, but seems to have more difficulty correctly pointing out the reasons behind mine.

He writes that HRC, “ought to be busy protecting our interests on Pennsylvania Avenue, not Madison Avenue.” Unfortunately, it is this “criticize for the sake of criticizing” mentality that shadows way too many of his columns. Does he not understand that our work to change hearts and minds in America is connected both politically and culturally?

When a major American corporation depicts in their advertisements, violence against gay people and reactions of homophobic football players, which many kids hold up as role models, then it is the responsibility of groups like HRC to stand up and demand change.

If Chris would stick to the facts, and not his personal motives, then his columns might be read with a little more credibility.

Giving Chris Crain a platform to spout his misguided rhetoric sets back the work of the entire movement. Criticism is fair game, but blatant misinformation causes disillusionment among members of our community and that isn’t just bad for HRC, it’s bad for all of us.

Joe Solmonese President
Human Rights Campaign

Quality of Life in SF

Quality of life issues exist all over the City—not just the Tenderloin. The TL is not a cesspool for homeless drug addicts and alcoholics . There are many renters in the TlL including numberous artists. If fact, the Tenderloin could become a theatre and tourist center. That’s what it was originally meant to be. It’s not meant to be a homeless center where vagrants tear up the neighborhood. I’m not saying to kick out the homeless or do away with homelessness..

But the truth of the matter is that’s they’re not mentally ill. For the most part their extremely intelligent individuals who know how to use people and how to use the system. Many homeless are receiving services in at least two cities ie: San Francisco and Berkeley or be homeless . The idea of letting people sleep on the sidewalks has backfired as many homeless come to sleep all day as well as all night on the sidewalks. Homeless need to be held accountable for their actions and be prohibited from sleeping on the sidewalks.

This idea of some politicians enabling and being co-dependants for the homeless at the cost of the City’s residents has got to go. One more thing: prohibiting or shutting down legitimate liquor stores is not the answer either as it is the behavior, not the alcohol that causes the problems. If people break the law under the influence they need to be arrested and treated like any other lawbreaker.

Denise Jameson
San Francisco

Cop Deficit

Shortage of Cops? How about 11 cops to 17 passive picketers. On Valentine day picketers opposing Hornblower’s anti-union stance on union workers formerly working on Alcatraz ferries marched to vent their disapproval. The cops received a wonderful Valentine overtime bonus to essentially direct traffic into Hornblower’s evening party.

Denise D’Anne
San Francisco

Fed Up with Parking Tickets

I don’t know about you, but I am fed up getting and paying for unfair and usurious parking tickets. It used to be that if you are a little bit more careful, (go around the block a few more times or watch your clock), you may avoid getting a parking ticket. Not anymore.

The City of San Francisco considers parking tickets as a major source of income. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, our local government collected $85 million from parking fines alone last year. This is on top of the $ millions raised in increased parking meter rates, $. 25 cents for 4 minutes.

Is there a mystery why our small merchants are losing customers?

- Have you ever parked at a meter in front of a store, put the maximum amount of coins, turned the alarm on your watch or cell phone, rush back to your car only to find a $40 parking ticket waiting for you? Before you know it, the same ticket will cost you $100 if you don’t pay right away.

- Have you parked, pour all the coins out of your purse into the meter, come back to your car with plenty of time life only to find a $35 parking ticket waiting for you? The ticket says, “You didn’t curb your wheel?”

Where does all the money go? Aren’t we paying enough taxes already? Is it fair for working people to spend half of their day’s salary on parking tickets, when the city of San Francisco has so many high powered personnel making over $100,000 plus benefits, bonuses, and perks including free parking?

While we are already having a hard time making ends meet, our local government is again talking about raising our parking ticket fines. Enough is enough. The parking bandits have to be stopped from robbing us blind of our hard earned money.

Come join us on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ingleside Police Station located at 1 Sargeant John V. Young Lane (cross street is San Jose Avenue), San Francisco, CA 94112 to discuss how to stop this highway robbery.

Look forward to seeing you.

Myrna Lim
San Francisco

Change Term Limits?

What is this about changing term limits? We voted for them for a reason. Granted that they haven’t worked out as we hoped, but they militate toward opening up the political arena to more people, The only change we should consider is to forbid any high official from having any political job after serving one term

James Keefer
San Francisco