FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

RE: “What to Expect from Sunday’s Patriot Prayer Rally” [Blogtown, Aug 2], News Editor Alex Zielinski’s post about the violent alt-right protest and counter-protest at Waterfront Park on Sunday, August 5. “Portlanders who oppose Patriot Prayer’s alt-right ideals have again organized to protest,” wrote Zielinski. “As always, those who identify as anti-fascists, or antifa, have pledged to fight Patriot Prayer’s expected violence with more violence—with the intention of protecting Portland from right-wing extremism. But in Portland, it’s unclear if that response works—proven by the increasing number of visits by the ever-growing faction of Patriot Prayer-ers. It appears that for Patriot Prayer, violence only attracts more violence.” Also RE: “Things You Can Do Instead of Brawling on the Waterfront This Saturday” [Blogtown, Aug 2]. “For the love of God, avoid the waterfront,” wrote News Reporter Kelly Kenoyer, who instead recommended “great events you can check out instead of getting into fistfights with attention-seeking alt-right turds.”

I sure am glad Kelly Kenoyer’s article was here to tell us all how to get mimosas while fascists roam the streets attacking our neighbors. I mean, it would be EXHAUSTING to have to deal with one of those blasĂ© Charlottesville things that they had in Virginia. (So gauche!) What’s really great is that, instead of dealing with racism that affects our neighbors, New Portland has SO MUCH to offer! We can just ignore things until they come to our front door!

The Beans

Scaring people off from protesting regressive extremists who promote racism under the guise of self-preservation is unreasonable and dangerous. Show. Up. The proud boys feeling comfortable in Portland is a bigger threat to this city than condos.

BettyWhite

These things grow only because people pay attention to them. If you truly want peace, don’t go. If they have no one to fight, they will go home and play in their video game bunker.

Liveandletlive

If no one counter-protested and the media ignored them, I think they might give up on these rallies pretty quickly. I do not condone their agenda by any means, but clearly they do this for the exposure and to instigate conflict which they use as propaganda to further their message. Don’t give them the opportunity. Fight this rising tide of nationalism like hell, but let’s try more effective methods.

jim

Violence is never funny. But a bunch of people dressed up like characters from the ’80s G.I. Joe cartoon beefing with a bunch of people who dress up like Cobra is hilarious. Stay awesome, PDX.

Alphafalfa

Marlowe Dobbe

CUDDLE PARTY

RE: “In the Arms of the Cuddler” [Feature, Aug 1], an excerpt from Okay Fine Whatever, the new book by Mercury columnist Courtenay Hameister. In the excerpt, Hameister—who has issues with being touched—detailed her session with Samantha, a professional cuddler. “In the end, after all the initial strangeness wore off, I liked the session with Samantha because I like physical affection,” wrote Hameister. “I need it, even. And that doesn’t make me needy or weak; it just makes me honest.”

This is brilliant. I fully expected this article to ridicule cuddling and the people who seek it. I’m so impressed that she allowed herself to be vulnerable and open to the possibilities.

EleanorOB

Thank you for publishing the excerpt from Okay Fine Whatever. It resonated with me in ways that I cannot fully articulate. But as someone who is slowly learning to be comfortable with his body, physical intimacy, and touching, it feels good to know I am not alone.

K

jim, your comment has won you the Mercury’s letter of the week—and two tickets to the Laurelhurst Theater, where you can relax after fighting like hell against America’s rising tide of nationalism.