Solicitor Or Solicitee?
In response to Tara Servatius’ “Cruising for a Suing” (July 9), it seems odd that someone who accepted an invitation for sex would be charged and arrested for soliciting sex. Doesn’t it seem rational that the actual solicitor, the officer, be charged with soliciting crimes against nature?
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department should heed the Supreme Court’s recent ruling regarding the Texas sodomy law, and abolish its “crimes against nature” schemes. Women constantly get offered sex by men, but these perpetrators are neither charged nor arrested. As long as we’re all having sex in private, why should the Charlotte Mecklenburg police be able to arrest someone for offering sex to someone else?
If the CMPD doesn’t suspend their park busts, then Tara Servatius is right in speculating a discrimination suit being brought against the CMPD.
— Katie Tobin, Charlotte
Neanderthal Bill
The fact that a dangerous caveman like Bill James is still in office surprises me. That we live in a world where he can make the kind of public statement quoted in the July 2 article “Celebration and Rage” (by Tara Servatius and Sam Boykin) without fear of being branded an absolute idiot, astounds and offends me. The first decade of this century seems to be marked by the struggle of the enlightened to move forward while being constantly dragged into the mud by conservative troglodytes. The Supreme Court’s decision is a hopeful one, but it’s hard to look to the future with hope when public office is so populated with conservative fundamentalists who seem bent on destroying anything resembling progress. This should act as a reminder to Democrats that nothing will change if they don’t get out and vote. Next time election day rolls around, I expect this Bill James moron to be voted out of office, along with Bush and all the other cavemen. Now, don’t make me come back here and repeat myself!
— E. Al Pants, Charlotte
No Ring Here Either
I read Laura Chesky’s “No Ring on My Finger” (July 9), with relish and gusto. I am a 54-year-old woman who is college-educated and self-educated, smart, kind, and has a goofy sense of humor. Since college I have lived in Europe and on the West Coast where I knew Whoopi Goldberg before she made it big, taught in public school, opened and closed a business two times, been and still am a painter, etc., and I am single as the day I was born.
Like the author, I would like to be married. For many of the same reasons she mentioned, except for the part about having children — I am past that. I never considered my singledom as a generational thing but as a “that’s just me” thing. I have always felt out of sync with the mainstream.
I would like someone to talk to at the end of the day, and yes, cook for, and give up some of my fierce independence for. I have proven to myself that I am capable — it’s time to relax and relate.
I have taken the attitude that if it happens, great. If it doesn’t, great. I still have a good life. So take it as it comes. Your life is your own anyway, so drive your own bus.
— Diane Overcash, Concord
40 And Fabulous <p.
I am a loyal reader of Creative Loafing; in the article “No Ring on my Finger,” Laurel Chesky wrote on a subject that is so close to my actual being that I felt she must have read my journals. I have never felt the need to write after seeing, listening to or reading any news story but this is such a true story of how many quality women are sitting alone by themselves with no marriage or relationships in sight. If anyone should come up with an idea to help this dilemma, please consider me on board. Please give my deepest appreciation to Laurel Chesky for letting people know that women over 40 are full of life and wanting to share their lives with quality men. Everything you see nowadays revolves around the 20-30 age group when it comes to dating. Just look at the reality shows — do you ever see a woman over 40 looking to find her Bachelor? Sign me up if you do!
— Terri Payne, Gastonia
Lucy vs. SC
There is a name for those who feed on the dead. If Lucy Perkins was to be a replacement for ignoramus Jerry Klein, she has finally filled the bill.
The late Strom Thurmond does not need to be defended from the likes of Lucy Perkins (“Politics As Usual, Forever,” July 9). I think it is the mark of a good and intelligent person who not only grows through the years, learns from his/her mistakes but changes for the better. I would hope that Lucy Perkins outgrows her sophomoric stage. It does not enhance one’s character to attack the character of one’s betters.
When she attacks a geographic area called South Carolina, one can only assume she is attacking South Carolinians. This has become a habit with her over the time she has been writing for CL. I believe she might either,”…protest too much…”, or still smarts from some “put down” by some South Carolinian in her past. It doesn’t take much to recognize petty vendettas. I suggest therapy.
— Charles Blackwell, York, SC
This article appears in Jul 16-22, 2003.
