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August 21, 2002
Saratoga, California Since 1955 |
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Speak Out
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Clarifying statement about Austin Way
Thank you very much for the article about my
efforts to get Austin Way designated a
Heritage Lane. I would like to clarify the
closing statement, which states that "Keeble
said that he isn't in favor of such efforts"
(to line the street with plantings or trees).
What I wanted to get across was that I am not
in favor of updating the street with curbs,
gutters, streetlights and the like. I know
how projects like this can get out of hand.
But I certainly am not opposed to trees or
other landscaping. Norm Koepernick has been
very supportive of this project, and I have
agreed with all his suggestions.
—Tom Keeble, Austin Way
Cartoon's not funny; it's an insult to Sacred
Heart
The Decinzo cartoon in the July 31 issue of
the Saratoga News about the new school
addition at Sacred Heart is not funny - rather
it's a slanderous insult to children,
parents, priests and concerned Saratoga
citizens.
—Marjorie Burnett, Jolene Court
Cartoon a cheap shot, shows lack of judgment
The Decinzo cartoon related to Sacred Heart
School was a very cheap shot! Your approval
of the cartoon reveals a lack of judgment.
—Richard Valentine, Paramount Court
Global studies just politically correct
Why do community colleges believe that it is
important to secure grants for global
studies? What do local students (who lack
skills needed to get jobs) need to know about
the plight of women in Afghanistan? Why isn't
that money going to relieve the nursing
shortage? Why not just call it a "political
correctness" boondoggle? That's all it is.
—Robert Allgeyer, Santa Cruz
Decinzo the only good part of paper
As long as the apple doesn't fall too close
to the tree, folks just chuckle at Decinzo
cartoons. But when the arrow gets fired
toward "me or mine" the comments expressing
disgust or outrage spew forth. Bullpucky! You
might not appreciate what's depicted this
week and bellyache about it, but then you
just can't wait until the following week to
see who gets lampooned next.
The editors have to love this guy because he
alone must be responsible for two-thirds of
the subscriptions. I know I wouldn't bother
with this weekly litter liner if Steve
Decinzo didn't make it so enjoyable. I love
it.
Look at it this way - all the controversy
proves that at least the Speak Out page gets
read, which is a lot more than can be said
about any other page in the whole paper.
—Jim Adams, Quito Road
Praising Decinzo for his 'sarcastic' cartoon
This is in response to all those people who
have complained about Decinzo's cartoon on
the Sacred Heart addition. I am sick and
tired of people writing in, saying that it
was "crass" and "sunk to a new low." To put
it bluntly: I thought the cartoon was funny.
I really enjoyed it. It was sarcastic and
bold. I like cynicism. It shows character
because the artist was not afraid to talk
about something just because it's an
uncomfortable subject.
I don't believe in religion and politics, and
I don't give a rat's behind about being
politically correct. I praise Decinzo for his
cartoon. Finally, someone to share his
opinions. And for all of you who complain
about it, shut up, please. Is it really that
important? Frankly, I think you people have
too much time on your hands. Get over it.
Will it matter in 20 years what Decinzo did?
No. It's just a cartoon, for God's sake. Ink
and paper that show a picture - that's it. It
is not law. It is not the "right" answer.
It's someone's opinion. In fact, I hope
Decinzo keeps turning out cartoons like
these. The world needs more sarcasm.
You people talk about not attacking the
Catholic Church, and yet you are being
hypocritical. By attacking Decinzo's work,
you are doing exactly what you don't want
done to you. For you religious people,
doesn't the Bible teach to treat others as
you want to be treated and to turn the other
cheek?
So now who is being the crass, disrespectful
one? I hope you people will take this to
heart and move on with your lives.
—Kristin Leasia, Beauchamps Lane
Paper should not have published the cartoon
There is no question but that the First
Amendment gives you the right to publish a
despicable cartoon that can reasonably be
assumed to offend many of your readers.
Surely no one is forcing you to publish such
material, which singles out a Saratoga
Catholic parish for what seems to me to be an
unjustified attack.
As one of the approximately 1,700 members of
that parish, many of whom are your
subscribers, I protest your treatment of us
and of our priests. We are all well aware of
the recent tragic scandal in the church. Does
that scandal somehow validate your
denigration of our Saratoga clergy? I don't
think so.
—William Duffy, Leonard Road
Cartoon insulting and demeaning
Your July 31 cartoon depicting all priests as
criminals needing watching was one of the
more insulting and demeaning pieces that I
have seen in print in recent years. Painting
all priests as pedophiles is as accurate as
painting all newspaper editors as pedophiles.
It would seem that truth and accuracy are not
some of the stronger characteristics of your
paper.
The same issue of the paper carried a story
of a former assistant principal of Saratoga
High School being charged with "child
annoyance," a cover phrase for asking for
sexual favors from a minor. Are you now going
to print a cartoon showing all teachers or
assistant principals as sex criminals?
Guilt by association has never rightfully
been a part of the American legal system. It
should also not be a part of an American's
thinking.
I stopped sending an annual subscription fee
to your newspaper some years ago. This
cartoon only confirms the soundness of that
decision. I only wonder why you keep sending
that paper to me. I would prefer not having
people think I subscribe to a paper of this
low quality.
—Richard Steve, M.D., Hammons Avenue
Publishing cartoon was deplorable
The Saratoga News has degraded itself.
Publishing the cartoon by Decinzo in the July
31 issue was deplorable and disgusting. The
cartoon was a direct affront to the good name
and reputation of the priests in our city. We
are appalled that the paper would stoop so
low as to allow this cartoon to be published.
—William and Loretta Deagen, Westview Drive
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