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Editor:
There is a certain Nazi logic to the invective of several politicians and some religious political extremist groups in the United States. Each group is using homophobia, fear and ignorance to curry favor with voters for upcoming local and national elections. There are disturbing parallels in this logic which brings to mind the Third Reich's use of the Jew to electrify, excite and unite a nation. For the Third Reich to work, there needed to be an "Other," an outsider, a minority that was feared and loathed for illogical reasons. To that "Other" could be heaped the blame for all the ills that transpired in a society that lost a world war and was mired in the depression. That "Other" was exploited by the creators of the Third Reich. Somehow if the "Other" was purged from the society, harmony and economic well-being would return to the nation which would once again return to the righteous path. This Nazi logic lead to intolerance and discrimination so terrible that Jews were eventually stripped of their citizenship, their property, homes and lives, all accomplished using existing German laws. Nazi logic employed a propaganda machine to drive acts of violence committed by a whole nation. Without statehood, property, a home and friends, the Jews sank to levels of the non-human to the true believers. Since they were no longer classified as human, they were ripe for extermination.The gay and lesbian have become the new "Other" for many politicians and some religious extremists. Although the language is English, the setting the United States, the Nazi logic is the same. For these groups, the gay or lesbian is somehow less than the heterosexual or the god-fearing. He is a kleptomaniac, diseased, godless, a child molester or worse. He will infect your children with gayness or AIDS, is unfit to serve his country and someone who will surely pervert the American way of life and bring God's wrath down on every state from the heavens. He is evil; he is the "Other," the reason why society is degenerating and why marriage needs defending. If we deprive him of his rights, take away his livelihood and cast him out, all will be well with the world and with God.
Often, the creation of the "Other" needs covert and overt approval by people in high places, people terrified of change and loss of control. Approval of hatred is often dressed in religious symbols and texts to make credible absurd and dangerous notions of supremacy and self-righteousness. Although the messages may appear to be glazed with Christian compassion and concern, their subtexts reveal messages of intense intolerance and bigotry. Those giving approval are as guilty as the actual brown shirts who commit verbal and physical violence on the gay community. It is our Kristallnacht.
--Damiano Iocovozzi, 2090 Marazzani Drive, Martinez, Ca. 94553, 925.370.7646Ambush Mag 2000
Several weeks ago I began an ad campaign for summer specials at our guest house, attempting to generate some incremental business for what is usually a slow time in our industry. The first issue of your paper produced enough business to pay for the entire run of the ad.Advertising dollars are frequently spent without the desired results. I can only say that our ad in Ambush has produced great results and wanted you to know that your paper really represents our community well. Sincerely,
--Michael Phillips, The Royal Barracks Guest HouseDear George, [Patterson, Performing Arts Critic]
Thank you for coming to see our production of The Elephant Man. It means so much to the company and myself to see the great show of support from members of the media, as well as the theatre-going community. The response to the show has made this whole experience worth while. It is not an easy thing to get a new theatre company off the ground, but your involvement has made it that much easier.Doug, Mark and I are grateful for your support. We hope to see you at the next production. Thank you again. Yours very truly,
--Michael P. ArataDear Rip & Marsha,
I write on behalf of the members and friends of VCMCC to thank you for your generous support during the visit of Rev. Elder Troy Perry for the 25th Anniversary of the Upstairs Bar fire. Your support made possible a Memorial Service which successfully allowed representatives of the city of New Orleans to acknowledge the significance of this tragedy, honored those whose lives were lost, and celebrated the community which has emerged since the fire.As announced at the Memorial Service, MCC is committed to pursuing the installation of a marker at the site of the fire to note the historical significance of the event. To date we have raised just over $600, with costs estimated at being at least $1,000. We welcome your input and assistance in pursuing the completion of this project.
Again, we thank you for your support and look forward to continuing to acknowledge, honor, and celebrate our community. Your Co-worker,
--Pastor Dexter S. Brecht[Letters and Comments should be sent to Ambush Letters, 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137; or, E-mail to info@ambushpublishing.com]
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