September fi, 2 0 0 2 » J a a t e a t
Continued from Page 5
Tobacco companies have identified sexual
minorities as a lucrative market and pose as a
community partner by advertising in gay mag
azines, sponsoring gay events and throwing
parties in gay bars. But it’s just public relations.
R.J. Reynolds researched gay smokers in San
Franciscos Castro District for its Red Kamel
brand in its infamous “ Project SC U M .” Nice to
know they think gay men, lesbians and other
sexual minorities are scum. Think about that the
next time they hand you free Camels.
K ylie M einer
Multnomah County Health Department
Make a difference
To the E ditor :
would like to congratulate the sexual minori
ties community of Portland for its extraordi
nary support of Georgena Moran, a friend and
sister who is battling multiple sclerosis.
Since April, a small group of committed
friends have raised approximately $40,000
toward a $150,000 goal. We have raised this
money with dances, a combination concert and
auction, house parties, donor solicitation, pass
ing the hat at Gay Pride and whatever else we
could think of that might prove effective.
The plan is to get Georgena to the Fred
Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute in Seat
tle as sex>n as possible for stem cell replacement
surgery. This radical prcxzedure won’t cure her
MS, hut it should stop the progression of the
neurological damage that makes this disease so
insidious.
Georgena’s Journey: A Community C o n
fronts MS is about as grassroots as it gets. We
are not sophisticated fund-raisers. We are sim
ply a small group of people who are trying to
help a friend maintain her independence and
her dignity.
In Georgena’s case, the price is high, and the
window of opportunity is closing. The disease is
advanciftg at its own pace, in spite of our deter
mination and our good intentions.
So here lies my frustration, a frustration bom
in numbers. When 100 people lift the sky, the
strain on the group is substantial. When 1,000
people lift the sky, the task is not only effortless,
it is invigorating and inspiring. We need more
people to help u» leach our goal.
Many Just Out readers know Georgena. For
those who would like to know more about her,
visit the Internet site www.georgenasjoumey.org.
You can mail a check to RO. Box 13104,
Portland, OR 97213, or you can make a dona
tion at any U.S. Bank branch. If a friend calls to
invite you to a house party on behalf of this proj
ect, please say yes and give what you can.
As a community, we cannot lose sight of
the fact that individuals do make a difference.
One person can substantially affect the life of
another.
Georgena’s Journey is an opportunity to
make a difference. Please join us.
him in Eugene years ago. But Portland City
Council? Really???
Why would we waste him on that— if he
does not someday serve as our mayor or even
more it indeed would be a shame. He is one of
the most thoughtful, intelligent and downright
enjoyable people in government who I have had
the opportunity to know.
S c o t t S eibert
Portland
A lost cause?
To the E ditor :
J
essica Schurtman’s letter concerning the use
and importance of words was both well written
and accurate [“Words as Weapons," Aug. 16].
While it has been pointed out before, it bears ;
repeating: In too many cases minority groups J ohn B oynton
Vancouver, Wash.
within the larger group spend so much time
J anis J. N ichols
West Linn
Letters must be
accompanied bv a phone number
for verification purposes.
Anonymous letters and letters
without sufficient contact
information will not be published.
Good Sam
To the E ditor :
S
arguing about the meaning and definition of a
particular word or words, the very concept of the
battle- is lost.
Mathematics is “the universal language.”
English has 1 million separate words, more or
less, enabling both many shades and varia
tions but also creating the possibility of con
stant bickering, especially among the politi
cally correct.
To paraphrase a well-known Clint Eastwood
line in the Dirty Harry movie series, do you want
to be politically correct, or do you want to be
effective? Well, which is it?
In an entirely separate issue, is Just Out hav
ing more space and pages devoted to advertising
than news? If so, it is great for the bottom line,
but increasingly it makes for a paper that is more
flash than substance. jn
am Adams for City Council? Are you high!!?
[“Taking on City Hall,” Aug. 16]
I have known him for years and worked with
M aster Peace
THE DECK
IS OPEN!
Funky
U rb a n H e m p
a n d O r g a n ic
C lo th in g
1600 NE Alberta St
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 997-6014
Organic Supplies for the Urban Gardener
Wed-Sun 10-7
3033 NE Alberta Street • 503.288.0220
U ITR C A F E
Serving fresh panini sandwiches. +
U nique G arden A rt
& S pecialty G in s
Delicious homemade soups
& bold salads. +
+ Local hormone free beef burgers *
+ Many specialty & breakfast items too! +
0
M
#
j
Patio Dining • Take-out Available
Living By The Garden
IN-MI \i: Alberta
I'll 15031 2N7-IIH
7?c<rvr\ lpwj A
5t3'KCoM
f r y OR VSR
When your passion is p illa
2 9 3 4 N E A lbterta S t r e e t
P o r t l a n d , OR 9721 1
‘ 5 0 3 .2 8 2 .0 6 0 0
W
[X
1 7
*4/7 (ffT {
+ Using local & organic ingrediants. +
• Local organic beer, wine,
& fresh juices. +
+ Spacious booths for groups
and always quick service. +
•+ Yummy kids menu! +
i
-
1 lounge now open I'Jpm- Uim
l^ootf «[ways uvnifubici
N e w l y O p e n e d
3024 NE Alberta + 503-335-8233
Hours: Lunch - M-F 11-5
Supper - Tue-Sat 5-22 Sun & Mon 5-10
Breakfast - Sat & Sun 8-3