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Send letters to: Letters, Illinois Times. P.O. Box 5256. Springfield, Illinois
62705. Fax: (217) 753-3958. E-mail: editor@illinoistimes.com
THANKS FOR THE LAUGH
Thanks, Tom [Irwin], for a great April Foolie [“Now Playing,” April
1]. What a great reminder of just how vacuous this town really would be without
some of our old stalwart friends. It was the only joke I got to see all day,
but it sure made up for the lack of volume. “Recycled Records to Parkway Pointe,
and the guys living in Panther Creek” — what a great shot, and what a way of
reminding us just how much our stalwart downtown friends mean to us. I mean,
if we don’t start watching it, this town is going to become just another plastic
city instead of being able to hang on to its individual character — which is
why I moved up here in the first place from St. Louis. With all the Wal-Marts
and Meijers moving in, and even some of the yuppified downtown restaurants,
it’s already in danger. I hope we can hang onto at least some of this
town’s true community spirit. Thanks again for the laugh, and keep up the good
work.
Viki Fisher
Springfield
REFUGE FOR SIMPLE MINDS
Recently a group of lesbians was allegedly thrown out of a local downtown
tavern for [no reason] other than their sexual orientation. Lawsuits have been
filed for violations of anti-discrimination ordinances. Although the incident
was certainly outrageous, is government intervention really necessary in these
situations? The negative publicity generated is certainly enough to hurt business,
especially because of the fact that the rest of the downtown scene is a very
diverse environment. The owner’s behavior will certainly be frowned upon by
the majority. I, for one, will not go to the bar in question.
Although the loss of customers may be offset slightly by anti-gay patrons
who agree with the owner, my feelings are that if all those individuals want
to hang out there, so be it — the rest of us won’t have to deal with their simple-minded
attitudes.
While I still believe the decision made was wrong, it should not be illegal.
The best way to promote a more open society is not by forcing people to adhere
to strict rules of conduct, but by allowing society to evolve freely under capitalism
where people vote with their dollars rather than have the government decide
for us what is right and wrong.
Seth Bohlen
Springfield
This article appears in Apr 22-28, 2004.
