Letters to the Editor

ILLEGAL IMMORALITY

DEAR MERCURY—I was recently interviewed by Stephen Marc
Beaudoin for the June 4 issue regarding the effort to recall Mayor
Adams [“Fight or Forgive?” Queer Issue, June 4]. In the last section
[from a totally different story by Matt Davis; “Mayor or Monster?”
Feature, May 28] the word “moralists” is used to describe those who
either do not support Mayor Adams or who wish to see the recall effort
succeed. The use of that word is either intended to be pejorative
or it shows that the writers do not understand the nature of the effort
to recall Mayor Adams. If the writers assume that the recall
effort is a moral crusade, they are mistaken. If it is the opinion of
the writers that Mayor Adams [should] remain in office, I have no
problem with that. I do, however, have a problem with
reporters presenting fiction as fact or using misleading
language. 

-Andrew Poe

BALLS

DEAR MERCURY—Thunderball is “arguably the
quintessential Bond” [Film Shorts, June 4]? Hey, I love the Tom Jones
song too, but Thunderball has a pretty lame bad guy, a
forgettable plot, and spends way too much time underwater.
Seriously, Goldfinger and You Only Live Twice (and even
From Russia with Love) are way better.

-Lukas Sherman

THE SLUT ISSUE

DEAR MERCURY—For a long time I have not been saying
anything about this, but with this “Queer Issue” [June 4]. I suspect
you all are homosexuals down at the Mercury. I have nothing
against homos—hell, I sell weed to one. No wonder it is so easy
to get laid here. I just thought Portland had more sluts per capita
than anywhere else. Please have a slut issue and not full of those
lame-ass hipster bitches either.

-“BIG” Mike

CONTENTION

DEAR MERCURY—I’m disappointed by the Mercury‘s
story in the June 4 edition entitled “Unity. Unity? Unity!” [Queer
Issue]. Having been contacted for this story, the alarm bells went off
early on as I let the writer know that it appeared to me he was looking
to cause a fight rather than report facts, [and] the whole interview
felt weird. To be clear, I fully support any group that organizes as a
way to build community and empower its members. Furthermore, I
absolutely do not believe [Cascade AIDS Project] CAP can be the only
solution for all, and am grateful for any organizations that seek to
work toward common goals, be they newly formed or longstanding. It is
for this very reason that we have offered space to house Unity Project
Oregon at CAP as they seek to reignite their programming. In
addition—while the author sought to imply a parting of ways
between Unity and Q Center, it is my understanding that the issue of Q
Center housing Unity was one purely of logistics, not disagreement.
Perhaps all the readers would have been better served by quality
reporting that sought to share facts rather than incite
individuals.

-Michael Kaplan, Cascade AIDS Project executive director

A SINGULAR FILM INDEED

DEAR MERCURY—Darkman, far from being
unwatchable, is one of the finest action/disfigurement/revenge movies
ever made [“Who Wants Some?” I’m Staying Home, May 28]. What other film
has a trans-fenestration cam? What other film has a few blissful
frames of Liam Neeson’s head attached to a tiny dancing puppet? NAME
ONE.

-Brad Werth

CONGRATULATIONS TO BRAD for his admirable courage in stepping up
on behalf of a cinematic turd like Darkman. Indeed, we cannot
name one. Brad wins two tickets to the Laurelhurst Theater and lunch at
No Fish! Go Fish! where trans-fenestration is not recommended. At
all.