We welcome letters, but please include your
full name, address, and daytime telephone number. We edit all
letters for libel, length, and clarity. Send letters to Letters, Illinois Times, P.O.
Box 5256, Springfield, IL 62705; fax 217-753-3958; e-mail editor@illinoistimes.com. KITTEN REFERENCE WAS DEMEANING Bruce Rushton did an excellent job on his
article on the Goodwill, answering many questions I had had
regarding the entire situation — and even some I hadn’t
realized I had, which I consider the mark of a good journalist
[“Ill will,” April 27]. However, I must take exception to his
portrayal of Julie Staley. No such demeaning terms were used when
describing either Sheriff Neil Williamson or Judge Thomas Appleton,
and while it was a good turn of phrase, “news kitten turned
into a lion,” it seemed like a cheap shot and didn’t
belong in an otherwise riveting news article. As for the actions of the board itself,
it’s difficult to hold them accountable. Boards usually meet
once a month, and it’s almost impossible, in the few hours
allotted, to do anything in depth. Board members must rely on the
person in charge of the operation. In this case, of course, that
trust proved to be misplaced. Possibly the salary increases of
Larry Hupp and Debra Neece might be considered a red flag, and
boards should not be in favor of overcompensation for those who run
any organization. Perhaps increased oversight by state agencies
would prove more valuable than anything board members are able to
do. Additionally, where was the Goodwill national board when
Springfield was underproductive for several years? Why was there no
investigation when the numbers didn’t hold up? It would seem
they, too, have some responsibility in the matter. Sharon L. Turpin Springfield THANKFULLY, THERE’S A NEW BOSS I would like to congratulate Illinois Times for
the story on Goodwill and Larry Hupp and Debra Neece. The story is
very true. I worked at Goodwill with developmentally disabled
individuals. I enjoyed the work and learned a lot about individuals
with disabilities and the stereotypes they encounter on a daily
basis while going out in to the community. Thank God, Goodwill has
a new director, and I look forward to donating clothes and goods in
this new era of Goodwill. Ralph Hunt Springfield NO “INNOCENT BYSTANDERS” HERE Hats off to Illinois
Times for telling the sad story
of Springfield’s Goodwill Industries. The story stands as a
warning to every not-for-profit board member: make sure your board
knows its job. When organizations go off the tracks, board members
can’t claim to be “innocent bystanders.” They are
accountable. Under the law, the board’s job is to
govern. That means saying clearly what the organization is for and
checking to make sure that the organization has delivered what it
promised. After Enron and Ken Lay, the day of the
rubber-stamp board should be over, but it is not. In the absence of
good board training, the Goodwill story could easily be repeated.
Board members should read John Carver’s book, Reinventing Your Board.
Had the Goodwill board read the book, its unfortunate problems
would not have occurred. Gary Davis Board Solutions Lincoln I’M NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO DIE FOR YOU The recent story about the Air National Guard
sergeant prompted this response [Dusty Rhodes, “Hard way out,” April
20]. Fifty years ago, I was outed by another gay serviceman, and for
the next 45 years I lived with shame and self-hatred. It took that long
before I came to the realization that I need not live with these
negative emotions. As a young, patriotic G.I., I would have died
for flag and country — if called up to do so. I
wouldn’t do it now, although not many 70-year-olds are asked
to make that sacrifice. You see, I’m not good enough to give
up my life for you and your neighbors. My blood is unacceptable to
offer up on the altar of freedom. I have no value. I can vote if I choose to, but I am spared
this task, as I’m sure no red-blooded politician would want a
vote from a person who is unworthy to die for him or her.
The United States is one of only a few
countries that has such a policy. Most nations agree that in time
of need, one’s orientation is not important. Just hit what
you’re shooting at. Lee Archer Springfield TIRED OF PETA GRANDSTANDING Does anyone in the free world not know that
PETA [People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals] has an agenda?
After reading the recent issue of Illinois
Times, it became blatantly obvious to
me, and I was steaming mad. I just hope less enlightened readers of
this paper won’t take what they say seriously, because though
their message has seemingly good intentions, some of it is absolute
grandstanding. In the “Letters” section
[“Leave it to beaver,” April 27], PETA wildlife
biologist Stephanie Boyles suggested that it is more humane to use
nonlethal deterrents to discourage beavers from building dams
rather than to kill them. I agree that killing these creatures is
morally wrong, but, by putting up fences and building pipes,
aren’t we interfering with beavers’ right to do what
instinct and their biology has trained them to do? Furthermore,
these dams, while an annoyance to us, are the beavers’ homes.
Think of how we would feel as human beings if every time we tried
to build a house, some interloper came along and tried to block or
destroy our efforts. If this wasn’t enough to get my blood
boiling, when I flipped over to page 6, I read that PETA is trying
to push a vegan diet onto the kids at Franklin Middle School, a
move which I consider completely irresponsible [“Hook, line,
and sinker,” April 27]. These kids are adolescents whose
bodies are still growing and therefore need good wholesome food and
a balanced diet in order to develop properly. When Michael Brazell
discussed the evils of eating meat with these students, did he also
make mention of the fact that vegans (the most rigid vegetarians)
eat nothing that has a face? What that means is no meat,
dairy products, eggs, and cheese. Did he inform them that in addition,
that many vegans will not eat processed foods, such as store-bought
bread or pastas, which are fortified with essential nutrients? Did he
tell them that it’s difficult to eat fruits, vegetables, and soy
products and maintain a healthy, normal weight? I doubt it, and as a
less rigid vegetarian, I am appalled that the parents and
administration at Franklin fell for PETA’s obvious attempt to
recruit the next generation of animal-rights militants. Next time
don’t be so trusting, people. I did agree with one sentiment in the blurb.
People do get information from the news media. PETA knows this and
uses print ads and television push their narrow-minded ideas. If
the attention is off of them for two seconds, they resort to
harassing people who choose to wear fur coats in a very public way,
to where there’s no not noticing them. I just hope that
before the public blindly accepts what PETA says as gospel truth,
they’ll do some research. Anyone could find something that
debunks the bill of goods this organization is trying to sell. Lisa A. McBrien Springfield NO TO COAL AND BUSH Thanks so much for keeping us posted on the
extension of the deadline for comments on the coal-based power
plant CWLP wants to build [“Power to the people,” April
27]. I immediately wrote them opposing the coal plant. We must
start rolling back global warming now, and we can’t do that if we continue to
build power plants that use coal. And, also, thanks so much for writing up the
work of state Rep. Karen Yarbrough taking on the daunting task of
impeachment here in Illinois and the key players in this process
[R.L. Nave, “State’s right,” April 27]. I was
also glad to read that other states are also introducing
impeachment proceedings. Anne Logue Springfield IMPEACH BUSH, STOP WAR I’ve got an idea to stop Bush from
nuking Iran, a sovereign country that is not a nuclear power and
has not attacked us: Start impeachment proceedings against Bush
now. This will stop the juggernaut! And we’ve already got the
goods on him. So come on, folks: Call or write your congressman.
And if you can’t bring yourself to go this far, then at least
tell your congressman that you support U.S. Rep. John
Conyers’ inquiry into Bush’s abuse and misuse of
executive power. And do it today! Beni Kitching Springfield
This article appears in May 4-10, 2006.
