Boycott misses mark
total recycling
21.FEB.08
West Roxbury Bulletin
Boycott misses mark
To the Editor:
If Bob Joyce and his handful of followers truly wish to help those
victimized in the commercial sex trade, then they would do better helping
the ministries which Joanne Meegan mentioned in her letter published in the
Feb. 7 edition of the Bulletin.
But how is boycotting an award-winning weekly newspaper going to do that?
Most people usually toss the miniscule Erosphere section aside, preferring
to read the Phoenix’s excellent coverage of the local music and arts scene.
And let’s not forget their annual Muzzle awards (bringing attention to
encroachments on free speech from both the left and the right) and their
cutting edge investigative journalism (being the first paper in the area to
uncover the scandal of the Boston Archdiocese’s mishandling of sexual abuse).
Or, perhaps those are the real reason why the Phoenix has Bob Joyce so bent
out of shape?
At any rate, my friends and I will be doing our part. We’ll bring the
Phoenix to cafes and restaurants to read while eating and drinking, and
supporting those businesses who keep the Phoenix — and other print media —
rather than decide what their customers can and should be able to read.
Desmond Ravenstone
Roslindale
===
Victim of abuse speaks out on boycott
To the Editor:
Thanks for your insightful piece on the controversy between SCD and the
Phoenix regarding the paper’s ads for adult services.
Speaking from the point of view as a former stripper, I am in complete
support of the SCD’s efforts.
I witnessed firsthand the destruction that prostitution, stripping, and
porn has on women. It also had a devastating effect on my life. I fell into
drug abuse, I was stalked by a very dangerous customer at my bar (prompting
me to leave town and finally quit the business) and I now suffer from post
traumatic stress disorder.
And make no mistake about it: these businesses are predatory and they
exploit the often desperate situations that women find themselves in. This
has nothing to do with free speech. The women who get into this type of
work are overwhelmingly from abusive backgrounds and they thus have a
difficult time seeing their way out of the abuse that comes with sexually
related work. It becomes a vicious psychological and financial trap. How is
that empowering for women? Please go to my website
www.savedfromstripclubs.org for my detailed account and for a list of
organizations that now assist women in getting out of the sexual
exploitation business. The SCD is doing the community and women a favor.
Name
withheld by request
Registrant Name: Timothy Burns
Registrant Organization: Fallen Back Catholic Apostolate Incorporated
Barnstable, Massachusetts
===
In response to Sullivan
To the Editor:
I am writing in response to Frank Sullivan’s column in last week’s issue of
the West Roxbury/Roslindale Bulletin ("American Greetings of Tolerant Love").
I am grateful to Rich Gormley for his generous contribution to the Dewan
Memorial at the fire house, I also wholeheartedly agree with West Roxbury
resident and firefighter Marc Sanders. American flags belong on public
buildings.
That’s why I filed a resolution with the Boston City Council last year
urging Mayor Thomas M. Menino to ensure that our nation’s flag is displayed
at every public building and at every open space in Boston. The resolution
was passed unanimously by the Council.
The American flag is the enduring symbol of the United States. It
represents freedom, unity and our proud history. When flown at a half mast
at a fire hour or in a local park, the flag allows our entire city to
express its shared sadness over a major tragedy or death. It reminds our
children of our nation’s great past and it sends a message to our veterans
that we appreciate their service and their sacrifice.
For the past five years the American flag has been an integral part of the
annual Parkway Family and Soccer Day at Millennium Park. I founded the
event to give local families an opportunity to express their patriotism and
as a way to honor our veterans. One of the reasons Millennium Park was
chosen as the site was the impressive flagpole located at the top of the
hill. Each year we open the ceremonies with the Pledge of Allegiance.
I appreciate the efforts of Marc Sanders and Rich Gormley and their
contributions to our community. Thanks to residents like them we continue
to keep this issue in the forefront.
John M. Tobin, Jr.
Boston City Council
District 6
===
Shootings spur outcry
To the Editor:
On Jan. 26 there was a meeting called by Mayor Thomas Menino, and City
Councilor Rob Consalvo in regards to recent violence within the Roslindale
Community. In attendance were members of the Roslindale community,
including crime watch members, representatives of Healthy Roslindale
Coalition and Police Commissioner Ed Davis and various members of the
police department.
The focus of the meeting was to inform the community about the shootings
and the city’s response. Members of the police stated at the meeting that
these unfortunate incidents are related to gun violence involving gangs and
are not specifically targeted to Roslindale. Local police agencies stated
that they are very aware of the movements of parties that are flowing in
and out of Roslindale. Area E-5’s Captain Hasson informed the group that
over the past several months he has increased patrols in neighborhoods
where there was an upturn in crime. The Mayor, Police Commissioner Davis
and Captain Hasson indicated a desire to continue to work with the
Community. They asked the community to participate in reporting any unusual
activity to their area police station. It is important that the crime
watches work with the police in the prevention of crime. They also handed
out pamphlets on the new program to allow tips to be anonymously texted to
the police (pamphlets available at the local police stations).
There was an overview from the police department of what they were doing
and a question and answer period from community members.
Normally Healthy Roslindale would co-ordinate a public safety meeting open
to all members of the community. However since our long-time director,
Cathy Slade, has taken on a position with Ethos, this leaves Healthy
Roslindale in transition. That said we would like to congratulate her on
her new position with the Age Well Program. We are grateful for her many
years of outstanding service to the Coalition and the Roslindale community.
The Healthy Roslindale Coalition Board is taking this opportunity to do
some internal restructuring. During this transition period the Rossie Reps
Youth Council is continuing uninterrupted. We are looking for new board
members to lend their vision of a "healthy" Roslindale. Healthy Roslindale
Coalition is a membership organization and your involvement will keep our
coalition strong. If you are interested in helping to improve the quality
of life in your neighborhood please email us at HealthyR...@verizon.net.
Board of Directors,
Healthy Roslindale Coalition
Sr. Nancy Braceland and Rev. Karen Peters, co-chairs