04/08/2001

Behavior out of place

I don't often find myself in agreement with Mayor Ron Kirk. However, I must express total agreement with his declaration that "There is no place for this behavior at this woman's house" in scolding protesters who carried "placards with vulgarities" to denounce Laura Miller for her criticism of Dallas Police Chief Terrell Bolton. My agreement with Mayor Kirk is made stronger by the report from Ms. Miller that the demonstration reduced her young children to tears.

We must learn to express our disagreement with each other in a way that does not make children feel threatened in their homes. Period.

MARY LOVING BLANCHARD, Dallas

Sexism as bad as racism

Re: "Protests belong at City Hall, not residences," Editorials, April 5.

Thursday's editorial states protests against Laura Miller led by John Wiley Price and Lee Alcorn included "placards bearing anti-female obscenities." I am confused as to why it was decided to attack the sex of Ms. Miller. I am appalled at the misogyny and hypocrisy of these two "leaders." Why is the sex of Ms. Miller under scrutiny? Furthermore, it is completely ridiculous to denounce racism on the one hand while encouraging sexism on the other. Sexism is just as degrading and damaging as racism, and perhaps even more pervasive.

It appears to me that Mr. Price and Mr. Alcorn are not interested in equality (well, perhaps only amongst men).

TAMMY JEZ, Dallas

What Bolton must do

While I'm very supportive of police and Dallas Police Chief Terrell Bolton, one must admit his overtime policy, while probably legal, has a certain odor to it. I do not see any racism in questioning such a situation but I respect the right of others to be paranoid. The chief needs to get our eyes back on crime fighting by not only being right, but having the appearance of being right.

Chief Bolton helped win my continued support when he asked his supporters to stop picketing outside Laura Miller's home. He must enforce our disorderly laws and protect our elected officials and the rest of us from such tactics.

I cannot remember the last time I agreed with Ms. Miller on anything but I do this time. Where were the police? The chief's initial silence was not reassuring.

ROLAND D. FREEMAN, Dallas

Memo to protesters

Here's my memo to the Laura Miller protesters about effective ways to spread their message.

1) Use proper grammar. Only ignorant people use obscenities to get their point across.

2) Use leaders who have respect. Lee Alcorn is not the leader of the NAACP for a reason.

3) Do not be so abrasive that you result in getting Laura Miller's supposed City Council enemies to support her. Irritating the mayor and the rest of the City Council will not work.

4) Do not even consider protesting again in front of Ms. Miller's or Donna Blumer's house.

I'm only 15, but even I'm smart enough to realize that a good way to make your point is to do it with class. Good Luck!

MARK NORRIS, Plano

Tactics hurt minorities

I'm a white Hispanic: a Mexican of French and Spanish origin and often mistaken for an Anglo. Being able to pass has given me a good perspective on ethnic issues. For instance, I think that blacks and Hispanics have a lot more in common than may appear. We have similar tastes in music, food, family relationships and more. We will see more and more mixed marriages among us.

But the latest turmoil that Commissioner John Wiley Price and his friends are bringing to our city saddens me. I don't really care what color the mayor or police chief is as long as the job is done well, and overall I think they have performed reasonably well. However, regardless of our race, we will never agree on everything, nor are we exempt from making mistakes. When this happens, there are ways to talk with each other so that a constructive outcome can be reached.

Exhorting a small group of militants to threaten and insult people, block our streets and disturb the peace is beyond anything I would expect a public official to do. I am tired of Commissioner Price's tactics. They hurt blacks, Hispanics and all minorities because people will think twice about electing more of us when all we seem capable of doing is dividing and embarrassing our city.

FRANCISCO PHILIBERT, Dallas

The cost of protest

Re: Protests of Councilwoman Laura Miller.

John Wiley Price and Lee Alcorn and their supporters should give thoughtful consideration to the impact protests have on the community at-large. While I respect their rights to express their opinions, I do not appreciate the flagrant disregard for community assets. I wonder if these gentlemen took the time to consider that while police were assigned to oversee protesters they were taken away from another important duty: catching criminals. I only mention this because only a few blocks away from Ms. Miller, my home was burglarized Tuesday and it took the police department nearly half an hour to respond.

JULIE HAGEN, Dallas

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