Letters to the Editor
June 2001

Security detail bias
In your May issue, Polly Mann had an article published that ended up on the front page instead of the editorial page.
The content, mostly personal opinion was void of news. By her own words, " It was a rowdy group of about 100 people," she makes the case for law enforcement intervention. She comments, "the Capitol Security Police with pistols in holsters, stood about in small groups, laughing and talking to each other." So? Police carry guns in our society and I don't find any rule, regulation or law prohibiting the officers from laughing or freedom of speech. Hardly a newsworthy item.
Then she adds, " A shaven-headed state trooper . . . " What does hairstyle have to do with much of anything? Some of the demonstrators might have been bald or dyed their hair. But Ms. Mann goes on . . . "picked up her arm, twisted her wrist forward until it appeared he would break it, put his arm around her neck and squeezed it. At one point he grabbed her chin and held it tight. The other guards watched."
Ms. Mann should know this is a very proper procedure to use with those that refuse a lawful order. It is called a "compliance hold" and is not the least bit dangerous UNLESS the person resists or fights the trooper. The hold is a common and accepted practice to prevent injury to officer and the civilian. The officer has no clue who he/she is dealing with. It is not a choke hold in any way unless the person resists—then pressure is applied in proportion to the amount of resistance.
I note your "reporter" fails to note any complaint on the part of the recipient of the hold.
The protesters were charged with a gross misdemeanor, which is a serious crime well above the level of petty misdemeanor or a misdemeanor.
The fact the trooper gave his business card when asked for identification is to be commended. Had he refused what would Ms. Mann's response have been?
It sounds like the taxpayers got their money's worth from our state troopers, and the only injury was to Ms Mann's "social conscience." If Ms. Mann is upset with the arrests she is well entitled to have the laws changed in regards to the charges filed, or to file legal actions against the troopers, and/or fight the charges in court or all of the above. That is how our system works. Certainly Ms. Mann doesn't suggest operating outside of those rules. . . . does she?

Darrell E. Mulroy,
Minneapolis



CNIA democracy:
past and present
A recent meeting sponsored by Women Against Military Madness (WAMM) focused on U.S. military bases around the world, asking if these bases provide security for the people of this country or if they provide security for multinational interests throughout the world. The collapse of the Soviet Union has left the United States without any substantial enemy. Libya, Cuba or North Korea hardly qualify. In a public speech at UCLA in 1998, Secretary of Defense William Cohen state that the U.S. military’s role in the new century was to protect capital markets around the world. This then is the reason for the existence of the bases.
There is no justification for U.S. policy which maintains them, especially as the residents affected are calling for their removal. While some bases have been removed, all remain environmental catastrophes. There are campaigns in almost all country where bases are located calling for the removal of troops and a cleanup of very badly polluted areas used by the U.S. military. The one receiving the most attention is on the Puerto Rican Island of Vieques. However, there are local activities demanding the removal of bases in South Korea, Panama, the Philippines, Okinawa and Hawaii.
Readers concerned about the bases, the cost of maintaining them and the essential environmental cleanup may call WAMM at 612-827-5364. WAMM could provide specific information on the topic, a presentation and videotapes.

The real Dawn Vogel stands up
re: Dawn Vogel enjoys diverse people, cultures

    Whether it was malicious intent, serious communication breakdown or simply gross misrepresentation, the recent article about me not only included several factual errors, but also altered quotes and made up quotes. In addition, it painted a more accurate picture of Lydia's biases against who she perceives me to be than who I am or what my work is about.
    It is Lydia's right to not like me or my work, as it is anyone's. It is also her right to critique my work, although I do not agree with her opinion or judgmental approach she uses. It is not her right however to turn an art critique into an inaccurate public condemnation of the artist. It is also not her right to create a quote, change a quote or take it so out of context that it alters the meaning so that it is no longer a quote but a means for her to express her own views.
    It is also puzzling why anyone would choose to turn an interview that was to be in honor of an artist's work and aired on a community radio station into a written critique of the artist that is printed in a community newspaper that ironically "opposes efforts to keep us apart as a community." The article however was written and now to set the record straight:
    1. My degree is in psychology (not studio arts and photography) I have a minor in studio arts/photography, proficiency in French, Spanish and certificates in teaching English as a Second Language, industrial relations and Myers Briggs Type Indicator.
    2. I graduated from the University of Minnesota 15 years ago (not 7).
    3. I have traveled to many different countries, including Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer where moss did grow under my feet, my food and my clothes and for anyone who has lived in a small village in Africa for a period of time, superficial and cultural tourist are two words that do not describe the experience.
    4. Poverty does matter to me and helps to explain why I left a well-paying job to live without any pay or comforts to teach impoverished Cameroonians (in French) about small business development, community organizing and health education.
    5. With a goal of empowering "the poor" to lift themselves out of poverty, prevent the rampant spread of AIDS, malaria and other "preventable" childhood diseases, some accomplishments include a well project, funding for beds and supplies in a village hospital and villagers who now have new skills and knowledge to prevent disease and save money for their children's education so they don't have to be street vendors.
    6. Despite the poverty that many people experience, I am continually amazed at the Human Spirit.
    7. I do not consider people, culture or my photographs as "souvenirs" or "animals" and it is not confirmed by my own words. I do however have a reverence for all of them.
    8. I am self-employed and currently supporting myself as a consultant and an artist, not a diversity trainer.

    I am also drawn to photograph the beauty I see in people and am enriched every time I experience a new culture. But, the punctuation point that better fits "my aim" and "my journey" is that through this beauty, "my motivation is to paint a new understanding and appreciation of each ‘People’ and their ‘World.’ It is then to find that point of humanity that exists beyond our cultural differences and transcend it, somehow serving as a bridge to unite, rather than divide us."

Dawn Vogel