Stop mocking us
Why is it that when people, especially religious conservatives, take a stand against popular culture, their words are mocked and misinterpreted? In Mr. Greenfield’s article, (“Who knew TV-G stood for gay?” on Feb. 1) he makes it seem like the members of Focus on the Family are backward, ignorant zealots who think that the pro-homosexual video being produced by the We Are Family Foundation will brainwash kids into being gay. Jerry Falwell aside, everyone, including the people of Focus on the Family, knows that the idea of brainwashing someone into being gay is as ridiculous as thinking that seeing a person smoke on TV will make the viewers want to smoke.
Focus on the Family and other religious groups see homosexuality as morally wrong. They are protesting this video because it uses popular cartoon characters to promote the belief that homosexuality is a “normal” way of life. Children won’t be able to differentiate between the regular show they watch on TV and the video that has a pro-homosexual bias, and that worries religious conservatives and parents who don’t want their children exposed to and influenced by the video.
Don’t the religious conservatives have the right to protest without being mocked? No one made fun of those who protested the invasion of Iraq by calling it morally wrong. In fact, they got quite a bit of media coverage that was at least neutral if not outright positive. It seems that only those who stand up for their conservative beliefs and take unpopular stands against today’s society are targets for verbal abuse and humiliation.
–Melissa Zulaski, 25
Des Plaines
So long, Sam-me
Sam-me to Baltimore is a great move for everyone. Cubs avoided the marketing and clubhouse nightmares. Cubs fans are free to support the team without petty distractions and inner-fighting. Sam-me gets to become the center of attention in a another town, doesn’t have to apologize, and will have a better chance to hit 700 homers in the American League by being a designated hitter. Orioles get a “super-par” athlete with name recognition to market.
–Walter “Butch” Brzeski, 39
Sad over Sammy
I think it’s sad that he’s leaving because everyone is thinking that Sammy was an egocentric selfish man, but he really isn’t so much. For example, Sammy’s home-run competition with Mark McGwire brought people back to baseball and back to Wrigley Field. He also really helps out the children in the Dominican Republic. Yet everyone hates him because he did one selfish act? Chicago is gonna regret this if Sammy gets out of his slump!
–Christina D., 18
Berwyn
Wrong crackdown
I read on Page 4 of the RedEye (Feb. 9) about a loophole in a Virginia law that allows a person to videotape under a women’s skirt. Yet in that same state, another blurb (“Crimes of Fashion” Page 10) says people can get fined for wearing pants too low. What kind of message is the state of Virginia sending? I believe Virginia is “cracking” down on the wrong perpetrators.
–Dave J. Hanczar,
Gilberts
Suburbs rule
Hello! For what it’s worth: From a person who has gone to school in the city (Chicago) and currently commutes to the city for work every day, I will take the suburbs any day of the week to live. (“Boring suburb life an urban legend,” Feb. 7 column by Maegan Carberry.) I also consider Oak Park to be City. Keep these great articles coming.
–Mike Hallahan, 43
Tinley Park
