Lynching Images
Thank you for running the pieces, as well as the photos, on lynching [March 1, cover story]. Sometimes we have to rub our noses in the truth in order to see it.
Best,
Neil Chethik
After reading your recent issue on lynching photography, I went in search of the book your story was about, only to find that it’s not available locally.
I’m sure other Ace readers were as disturbed as I was and would like an opportunity to read the book for ourselves, especially Hilton Als’ essay. How do we find it?
Denise Ray
via email
The book is Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America. Local bookstores confirmed that it’s on back order from the publisher. The first run sold out. For an ETA on the second printing, the toll-free number for Twin Palms is 800-797-0680
The GenAss
I was appalled to pick up your latest issue and learn that only 11 percent of Kentuckians opposed posting the decalogue in the classroom [Letters March 1].
I am wondering who exactly responded to this poll, since I do not know a single person who thinks it is anything but a dangerous precedent.
My concern is that the legislators read polls like this and assume that the fundamentalists speak for us all, when they don’t. They just usually speak the loudest and the most often.
I am writing to encourage Ace readers to do what I did and call or email their legislators when important issues like these arise in the General Assembly. Readers can leave a message at 1-800-372-7181. I think you can also email the legislators using their standardized addresses firstname .lastname @lrc.state.ky.us (as an example, ernesto.scorsone@lrc.state.ky.us). For more information, readers can visit state government’s website at www.state.ky.us and you can still write an old-fashioned letter c/o Capitol Annex, Frankfort, KY 40601.
These people work for you and they can’t represent you if the will of the public is being distorted or misrepresented.
Erin Taylor
Lexington
Alert Readers
Hi: I was reading the news article in the Herald Leader online today and noticed that [one of] the 10 Commandments bill is being sponsored by Tom Riner, Jr. of Louisville.
I have never met Mr. Riner, but I read his name about 15 months ago in a list of members of the Council for National Policy. This group was described, in October 1998, by the Institute for First Amendment Studies (http://www .ifas.org/) as a secret organization that meets three times annually to plan their strategy to implement their right-wing agenda. Some of the other members of this ‘Council’ are William Bennett, Oliver North, Pat Roberston, Phyllis Schafley, the Adolph Coors family, the Amway folks, etc (http://www.ifas.org/cnp/).
I read Mr. Riner’s blurb from the LRC site in Frankfort. I noticed that he doesn’t list his membership in this organization.
You might want to consider this, the next time you write an article about KY public schools and the Ten Commandments.
Barbara Ransdell
Sadieville
What the Readers Eat
Having been an ACE reader for many years, I have appreciated the fact that Lexington had a newspaper that seemed willing to look beyond the obvious, and occasionally published articles containing controversial and potentially explosive information. I believe that the American public should be fully informed on all issues, so that we can then draw our own conclusions and make decisions accordingly.
One such subject that has not received enough press is that of genetically engineered foods, the factory farm industry, and the dangers of such substances as the bovine growth hormone. Many of these are spearheaded by Monsanto, and therefore, the main news groups have refused to pay any worthwhile homage to the subject. Instead, they choose to generate animosity toward the European nations, whose populace is well informed, and who absolutely refuse to import or eat foods that have not been proven safe.
The latest smokescreen has been the recent USDA announcement that the US has established “strict” guidelines for organic foods. The USDA only reconsidered their guidelines because a record 270,000 individuals sent letters and e-mails to protest the originally proposed guidelines. The USDA announcement conveniently corresponded with the FDA’s decision not to allow Robert Cohen of the Dairy Education Board to attend a genetically engineered food conference in Japan, due to the fact that Mr. Cohen has tried to alert the American public about the dangers that Monsanto is inflicting on the public through their food manufacturing practices. Mr. Cohen has been on a hunger strike for over 120 days in protest of the genetically engineered bovine growth hormone [www.hunger strike.com], yet I feel sure that this is the first time many of your readers are hearing about him.
Because the public was educated, and protested, we have been able to force Monsanto to abandon their terminator seed program.
Jenny Miller
via email
Letters Policy: Ace LOVES to publish our mail; please include name and daytime phone. First come, first served – with preference given to letters that comply with the 250 words or less guidelines. We may edit for space and grammar; we will limit frequency; and we reserve the right to limit commentary on a given topic when it runs the risk of choking out all other opportunities for dialogue (e.g.,oh…. say… “creationism?”).
