Adopt kinder view on homelessness

This letter is a response to Curly Finster's letter of Aug. 6, "Put homeless camp out by the airport":

I was very impressed with the author's use of reductio ad absurdum, i.e. reducing an argument to the absurd. Even mentioning the idea of a homeless camp is foolish because some people might take it seriously.

It has been suggested that the homeless people who live in their cars might be grouped together in one of the parking lots somewhere in the city. The problem with this idea is that when a person starts viewing members of a society as separate from the rest of the society, then any sort of unsavory behavior becomes acceptable.

An opening for politicians to go after any group of the society for trivial reasons, usually the politically weakest, is an invitation for the politicians to go after any group within the society. When this happens, no one in the society is safe.

To better understand what I am saying, just substitute the word "gypsy" for homeless. How were the gypsies treated in 1930s Germany? Is that what we want in America?

We will soon have many more homeless people, thanks to President Bush's economic miracle. How we deal with the homeless today will dictate how many of us will be treated tomorrow.

Hundley Bergstad, Corvallis

'Real' Roy Rogers clears up ID issue

In response to the Aug. 6 letter that was brought to my attention, "Can real Roy Rogers please stand up?" I would just like to say that "Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated!" I am alive and well.

Seriously, having been named after a famous person, I have some interesting tales to tell over the course of my life - especially since I have been a performer now for many years, also.

Of course, I always like to point out that the "cowboy" Roy Rogers' real name was Leonard Slye. We crossed paths a number of times over the years - the best time certainly being when we were both nominated for Grammy Awards in 1991. Talk about confusion!

Musically we are not related. I am more of the blues genre, and tour worldwide with my band, The Delta Rhythm Kings, who will be performing with me at Tyee Wine Cellars on Aug. 17. Many fans know of me also through my association with the great bluesman, John Lee Hooker, having played with his band and produced many of his recordings.

I hope to see you at the show. I may even tell few of my Roy Rogers "stories." There will be no replicas there - definitely the "real" thing. An event of biblical magnitude, it won't be, but we will have a rockin' good time!

Roy Rogers, San Francisco

Internet did what censors couldn't

Twenty-five years ago, the Gazette-Times printed a 36-point type headline, "Playgirl is 10; sexual arousal shown 1st time." (May 13, 1983, p. 13, entertainment section) This was remarkable because in 1976, the newspaper was flooded with angry letters asking why a "family newspaper" would print a story about gay women wanting to get married. (Read my analysis in the Gazette-Times, Sept. 13, 2005, "Views on gays same," page A11.)

In 1973, advocates for women's liberation praised Playgirl magazine for sexually objectifying men equally - as Playboy did to women. By the 1980s, some feminists embraced censorship "to stop pornography from causing violence to women."

In 1986, more than 8,000 7-Eleven stores quit selling Playboy and Playgirl due to intimidation by President Reagan's Christian Republican "Commission on Pornography," led by Attorney General Edwin Meese.

Despite these convergent forces of censorship, one national chain bookstore in Corvallis still sells Playgirl. Reportedly, after 2008, Playgirl will be available only online and not in printed form.

Ironically, it was not feminists or Christian Republicans who killed porno magazines. It was the invention of the Internet Web browser in 1993. Will that be censored next?

Thomas Kraemer, Corvallis

Senior Center has many deficiencies

Corvallis voters should spend time at the Senior Center, not just visit. It no longer is adequate. Corvallis seniors have a desire for continuing education that is affordable and convenient. The computer lab is open five days a week. The computers are older, donated and not as fast as those in many private homes. Volunteers from the entire Senior Center also use these machines.

The monthly calendar is varied to accommodate as many seniors as possible. Health issues are a major concern for our seniors. There are support groups and services for the growing numbers. Meals on Wheels and Dial-A-Bus provide excellent service to seniors and people with disabilities.

The city's bond measure would upgrade playgrounds and provide accessibility at 11 parks. Many of these parks contain equipment that is old or inadequate. New surfacing will make the playgrounds accessible to everyone, and Avery and Central park will receive play equipment certified to meet standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Bond funding includes increased lighting for two softball fields. A field at Sunset Park was removed due to wetland restoration three years ago, and no new field has been added. The south field at Chintimini is scheduled to be replaced, causing scheduling difficulties. Buffered lighting will permit safer play during the evening hours.

This bond is essential for Corvallis, just like volunteering within your community.

Lynda Wolfenbarger, Corvallis Community Activities Committee, Corvallis