Facing hate: I was compelled to pick-up your magazine when I saw the swastika on the cover and I must say your piece was wonderfully powerful and compelling. ("Local Hero," Susy Buchanan, June 19) I commend you for your coverage of this issue because people really don't realize how much hate is present in the world today. As a young woman whose mother is white and father is black, it is hard to make people understand that I face racism every day. My light brown skin represents what these people hate the most -- the mixing of "the superior race" with an inferior one. I see and must confront hate every day when I walk down the street with my boyfriend who is white with blond hair and blue eyes.
However, as a student at the Arizona State University College of Law who hopes to work for the prosecutor's office when I graduate, I will inevitably confront these people face-to-face. I guarantee that I will do everything in my power to ensure the "skins" are forced to cease the intimidation of and violence against those of us who are proud to be who we are. One by one their "gang" will be subject to Sheriff Joe and his glorious facilities. At least there they'll be away from the rest of the world that understands that the color of someone's skin has nothing to do with the person they are.
Name withheld by request
Stand up guy: I just finished reading Susy Buchanan's article, "Local Hero" (June 19). Excellent piece of journalism, as usual. I just wanted to give you guys props for having enough balls to write a non-biased article on Nazis. I hate all that bullshit, but I will always support a paper as truly independent as yours. I know you're going to get a lot of negative feedback for that cover, so I thought you might want to know you've got a loyal reader out there who supports you for not bending over!
Anton McLain
Gilbert
Cover image: I want you to know that no matter what the content of the article; it was poor choice to put the picture of that man and that symbol on your cover. I don't think I'm alone on this one! Also, for the record, I will still be faithful to the New Times.
Name withheld by request
Poster boy: I find the cover of the "Local Hero" issue of New Times utterly offensive. There is a definite boundary that exists between simple attention grabbing and a complete lack of morality. If you have drawn any attention to your paper from this obscenity, it is not the kind of attention that any self-respecting media source would want.
It is not the picture that I find offensive. It is the glorification by the text under the picture. Congratulations! You have just made a poster that the white supremacists will hang on the wall to enjoy. By the way, the content of the article will persuade very few, if any, against the virtues of hate mongering.
Name withheld by request
Unimpressed: I've read your article on the skinhead movement, here in Arizona. I have one word -- ridiculous. Why are 98 percent of skinheads unemployed, or doing tattoos? Because they don't have an education to get a real job!
Great, Josh "rents" a $300,000 house. Big whoop. Oh, and he wants to buy an Escalade. Yeah, right.
The death of Mr. Bailey was so freakin' senseless. He died because he was looking at those guys? That's it? And he was white! Explain that to me. Wow. Impressive. Can I be a skinhead too? I want to walk around like an idiot and get kicked out of virtually every bar from here to Mississippi! What fun! I'd be proud to be part of a group where all the members are dead by 40! Cool!
As far as Sean Gaines goes, (who looks Mexican to me) I'm so happy that he's proud he has three women pregnant. Great! Let's start a whole new tribe of idiots!
What cracks me up is the "prejudice" they suffer. Excuse me? Honey, you don't know what prejudice is. Maybe if your people acted like adults, you wouldn't be exiled and treated the way you are. If the Aryan Nation wants to start their own race, move to an island off the coast of Fiji.
I'm proud to say that I'm a white girl, married to a wonderful Spanish guy. Ignorance is the cause of a lot of trouble and violence in the world. It's too bad.
Name withheld by request
True believer: Although the statement that many white supremacists are devotees of Asatru is true, there are thousands of us who are not racist in any way. The heathen religion of Asatru in no way promotes racism or prejudice of any kind.
We promote Courage, Truth, Honor, Loyalty, Discipline, Hospitality, Industriousness, Self-reliance, and Steadfastness. Asatruars around the world worship the ancient Gods of the north (i.e. Odin, Thor, Freya) While we understand that the media is more focused on the few "bad apples" of our religion, I for one would like to shine a light on the many doing good for their communities.
Joe Belcher
Via e-mail
Peace nicks: How dare you publish a story about Nazis. Nazis! With the plethora of scum and filth that reside in this metropolitan sprawl, you do a story on Nazis. All I want to ask is this: Who benefited more from this useless, blindly sensationalistic story? New Times or this ignorant, sad, social reject you almost deified. This story not only glamorized one of the most lowly form of human beings, it gave them exactly what they wanted and crave so desperately: attention and publicity. On your next "follow-up" story why don't you elaborate more on Aryan Historical Theory, so all the white kids who read this can become even more curious about it. This was a shameless attempt at "on-the-edge" journalism. I've got news for you. You slipped and fell off that edge into insanity. This story benefited nobody but the white trash you reported on, and (you're hoping) you. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Freedom of speech does not include infringing on the right to live equally in peace.
Christian T. Black
Via e-mail
Reading material: That was an awesome article. I never see anything on that subject. I guess some people are probably scared to write like that but I will look high upon you in my book now. I don't have all the views that they have but I do understand where they are coming from a lot of the time. So I just want to say thanks for a great article to read. I was glued to it from beginning to end.
Name withheld by request
Legal Brief
Bar fly: Re: the State Bar's cancellation of the presentation by the World Peace through Law Section: I for one was more shocked to read ASU law student Deniz Arik's remarks that the strong "Jewish lobby" in Washington apparently reaches "all the way" to our own State Bar -- not so much that such anti-Semitism clearly exists on an American campus of higher learning, but rather that Mr. Arik would have the cojones to make his daft Jewish conspiracy theories known to potential employers and the community at large.("Bar None," Letters, June 19)
Luckily, as an attorney myself, I know that my profession won't have to worry about another hit to our public image. Mr. Arik, might I suggest inviting Josh Fiedler to join your next Constitutional Law study group? I'm sure he would be able to enlighten your fellow law students to the fact that the Supreme Court's decisions are predetermined by their ZOG masters in Washington.
Matthew M. Edwards
San Antonio, Texas
Church and State
Now it's just sad: I do recognize that modern day religion has its place, it provides answers to questions that we have no answers to (and more). Religion is also a business, at least a team of people with a common goal, which is to help people. One would think that if Bishop O'Brien had any sense of duty or obligation to his team, he would step aside. When he aided alleged child molesters he proved himself at least partly evil, now he's allegedly killed someone. He needs to be punished, and then maybe some help. Side note: Bishop O'Brien might not have even been cited if he had done the right thing (a recurring theme in his sad life).
T.J. Hamilton
Phoenix
True confessions: I am writing to you today in regards to the situation with Bishop Thomas O'Brien that has occurred this last week, mainly his arrest for a hit and run. I'm sure I'm not the only person that will write you, but I need to get this out anyways.
First of all, I want to say that Thomas O'Brien makes me sick to my stomach, not just for what he has personally done and covered up almost his whole "career," but because he is the top representative of the Catholic Church in Phoenix, and I am Catholic! I just cannot understand how or why someone who represents what Catholicism should be -- love, acceptance of God and of others, treating thy neighbor as thyself -- could do the things that he has.
If I were him (and thankfully I'm not), I would take some responsibility for my actions, or inactions in this recent case. Wouldn't you think that everything that's happening to him is a sign from God that maybe he should look at what he represents and stand down? The sick realization in my mind is that he never will see that. Why? Because at his core he cannot possibly love God and his fellow man. I think that the way the church and the law is handling his arrest and almost instantaneous bail is very bad. I guarantee that as long as people like O'Brien are in power, I will not represent him by attending his church; I spit on him and those that support him, for it's clear that they are all weak people -- victims of guilt and sin. Maybe the Bishop should consider going to Confession this week, eh?
Matt Jones
Mesa
Coming clean: All right, so Bishop O'Brien, who recently weaseled his way out of trouble for child molestation cover-ups, is arrested for a hit-and-run. Now, I know it is not my place to judge, but what was this guy doing as a spiritual and moral leader of the Catholics in Phoenix?
The child molestation coverups were bad, but I could kind of see that he could worry about the Catholic Church's image. But why -- why -- did he transfer these men to different locations with positions where they still had access to children? He is as nearly as guilty as they are for any crimes committed after the transfer. Then he manages to slip through with no jail-time and still possessing the title of Bishop, and drives away from an accident where he killed someone. Afterward, once arrested, he claims that he thought it may have been a dog or a cat. It would have had to been raining cats and dogs when you see the damage it did to his windshield.
The fact that he was surely forced to step down and the way this will reflect on the church should be secondary. He should step forward, tell the public he has lost his way and does not belong in that position anymore, purely because it is the truth. He should throw himself on the mercy of the courts and accept whatever punishment they delve out as deserved. He should stop lying to the public and himself and spend time reassessing what he himself believes and represents.
Here's the deal and there is really no getting around it. I don't think we should expect musicians to be moral role models. I don't think we should expect actors to be moral role models. I don't even really think we should expect the President to be a moral role model. I do believe someone with the title of Bishop should be of above average moral fiber at a minimum. If not, what does that say about the true purpose of their position?
This man has shown he did not belong in a position of giving spiritual guidance, but rather a person in deep need of guidance. This man has not shown the integrity one would wish of his former position, but the integrity of a clammy handed politician with an untouchable attitude. In truth, I have serious doubts that it was a coincidence that he was the driver involved in this accident. Perhaps where our justice system failed once, it was given a second chance.
Scott R. Gastineau
Scottsdale
Police Action
Cop out: I am writing in response to a letter written by Emma Donahue ("Source Material," Letters, June 12). She said that police shootings are based on race, and that there was not enough negativity in the article. I think the article was very well written, and face it Emma, there is more crime in "colored" neighborhoods. It is a proven fact. You cannot blame it on society, or us holding them down. They bring it on themselves. Being poor is not an excuse to be a criminal, do PCP, meth, or threaten police officers. I am sure that there are also white people living in these neighborhoods that have had altercations with police. She herself is being racist assuming that those neighborhoods are all "colored." I am so tired of people spewing rhetorical nonsense about racial profiling, and political correctness. I think Emma should take her Lexus down to south Phoenix and see why there are more police-involved shootings. I bet you she would lock her doors if she were driving down Van Buren at 11p.m.
Angela Davies
Phoenix
Race Relations
Support your local sheriff: I see by your June 12 issue you took the leash off Robert Nelson. ("Heir Apparent") He as usual turned on his computer and forgot to put his brain in gear. Let's set the record straight: Joe did not endorse Napolitano, he defended her. Matt Samon lost because he ran an inept and lackluster campaign.
Joe is not a boozer, skirt chaser or gambler and his wife has no hidden lovers and she doesn't' drink or gamble either. Before Joe Arpaio ever ran for office, this paper was slamming him, and they didn't even know him. I understand your frustrations. Now you are endorsing Mr. Martin a very considerate human being, but what are his qualifications? Joe has spent most of his life in law enforcement. From walking a beat in Washington D.C. to chasing drug dealers in Turkey, all successfully.
Your diatribe about maiming inmates and inhumane conditions are all figments of your warped imaginations and the baloney is not rotten, in fact it's pretty good. You say the state's Republican leaders are sick of him -- well, tough cookies. We rank and file Republicans, Independents and Democrats love him and will reelect him with a plurality!
John E. Ryon
Phoenix
Church Goers
Religious persecution: I forgot how much I like your news reporting. What a refreshing breath of truthfulness over lunch today!
In my opinion, sex-obsessed religious men -- Catholics (read "Judgment Day," Robert Nelson, June 5) and Mormons ("House Rules," John Dougherty, June 5) -- need to be purged like a scourge from our planet.
Should those hypocritical Catholic sexual perverts quit their day jobs? How about they rot in their own version of hell -- not to mention cell? No more plea-bargains -- hello. These are crimes against innocent children! (But pass the collection plate on the way to purgatory, please!!)
And those Mormons? They actually control whole cities in Arizona? You've got to be kidding. Does Janet know this? Do they actually receive state tax money? Why aren't the whole lot of those men targeted by whatever legal minds watchdog our state? Get rid of them! Definitely stop funding them!
But I don't want to leave anyone out just because you didn't cover it in this week's issue. Therefore, let's not forget violence-obsessed religious men either -- Christians (think slavery, think abortion clinics, Waco, KKK), Jews (killing innocent journalists right and left on the West Bank today and killing millions throughout history who worshiped "idols" -- my God, just read the Old Testament!), Muslims (what more can be said about them -- I think I'm going to retch) and Confucianists (think Tiananmen Square).
These six religions seem particularly prone to spawning fanatical men who commit crimes against children, women, each other, and all that's good on Earth and society.
Here's a new story idea for you to investigate next week -- why do Buddhists and Taoists have the ability to keep their hands to themselves, their pants on, their knives chopping fresh vegetables, and their guns and bombs -- well, they just don't seem to want any!
Pelauria (Pel) Abbott
Scottsdale
