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Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Homo / Media / Politics "Homosexual Settings" and the Mature Debate Over Health Reform In Eastern Oregon

Posted by Matt Davis on Wed, Sep 16, 2009 at 2:31 PM

A letter to the editor of the East Oregonian published on September 9:

I was very disappointed that you printed a naked picture in an apparently homosexual setting in the Sunday, Sept. 6 East Oregonian. I immediately ushered the paper to the trash to protect my children. In the future, such things will be cause for canceling our subscription.

I am also disappointed in the coverage of health care issues. It seems that a majority of political cartoons and commentary are for it - where is the balance? When opposition is covered it is done so as if persons opposing are deranged or uninformed. When intelligent, opposing argument is presented, it is couched in obscure positions. Where is your personal responsibility? (This is a critical issue in terms of your own health care and your own families.) Certainly an intelligent and fair addressing of the issue is wise; there is much at stake for all citizens. There are many ways to solve the problems and all options should be examined, not just toting one. This is especially true when closer examination of that option seems to reveal many serious concerns that should be completely worked out before it is considered for the nation.

Certainly you are intelligent enough to see the absolute merit of such an approach. We would like to see a more open, wise approach to the subject. There is no reason to take your paper if it is simply propaganda and not an intelligent discussion.

Mariann Adams
Pendleton


Here's a subsequent letter to the editor published in the same newspaper six days later:
This is in response to the letter by Mariann Adams in the Sept. 9 East Oregonian. Ms. Adams was disappointed you printed a "naked picture in an apparently homosexual setting."

Ms. Adams stated that when an opposing view is given, the person giving it is covered as "deranged or uninformed." I don't describe her opposition as deranged, but I will go as far as saying it was uninformed. The photo she was referring to, as was clearly stated in the caption, was taken by Annie Leibovitz for the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. No one can definitively argue what is art; beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What can be argued is the apparent homosexual setting. The photo is of a man (John Lennon) and a woman (his wife, Yoko Ono).

People often view things according to the their own values. Perhaps Ms. Adams' pre-existing bias regarding this picture was also present in her opinions in the rest of the letter.

Bob Noack
Hermiston


Wow.

 

Comments (14) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment
1
One thing we can all agree on -- even the deranged homophobes in Pendleton and elsewhere in this great state -- is that the Oregonian is a big piece of shit.
Posted by Jesus Fucking Christ on September 16, 2009 at 2:55 PM · Report
2
What "homosexual setting" photo is she talking about? From the comments, it seems like she's referring to the picture of John Lennon and Yoko Ono...?
Posted by s.mirk on September 16, 2009 at 2:58 PM · Report
3
Jeez, sure John wasn't quite as hung as everybody thought he would be, but this is ridiculous.
Posted by KS on September 16, 2009 at 3:07 PM · Report
4
"What "homosexual setting" photo is she talking about? From the comments, it seems like she's referring to the picture of John Lennon and Yoko Ono...?"

Yep. I can't find the actual photo on their site thanks to lousy search features (you need "member benefits" to access anything older than 7 days), but I'm thinking it might be this one:

http://imaginepeace.com/news/wp-content/up…

"Double fantasy," my bottom!
Posted by Matt Davis on September 16, 2009 at 3:18 PM · Report
5
If it's the "Annie Leibovitz for the cover of Rolling Stone magazine" wouldn't it be this one: http://www.lovebscott.com/wp-content/uploa…
Posted by Jinx on September 16, 2009 at 3:24 PM · Report
6
@KS - I appreciate your kind words.
Posted by yoko on September 16, 2009 at 3:27 PM · Report
7
jinx—Yep. Apologies. Je suis le merde at the old reading comprehension, evidently. Looks like the same photographer, same session, though, doesn't it?
Posted by Matt Davis on September 16, 2009 at 3:40 PM · Report
8
This reminds me of a famous quote by Voltaire... paraphrasing here, it was something to the effect of "If one wishes to contemplate infinity, simply look to the depths that human stupidity can reach."
Posted by iwouldprefernotto on September 16, 2009 at 3:45 PM · Report
9
After looking at the picture I think I understand part of what the crazy Pendleton lady meant. She thought Yoko Ono was a man!
Posted by Around on September 16, 2009 at 6:26 PM · Report
10
I would have thought she'd also be bothered by the tacit endorsement of evolution presented by John Lennon's monkey-like pose.

Also, I really like that she complains, "When opposition is covered it is done so as if persons opposing are deranged or uninformed. When intelligent, opposing argument is presented, it is couched in obscure positions." I'm pretty sure that deranged or obscure cover pretty much every opposition position.
Posted by luckymike on September 16, 2009 at 6:35 PM · Report
11
JFC: You need to get educated on which newspaper serves Pendleton. Hint - it isn't the Oregonian.
Posted by nuovorecord on September 16, 2009 at 9:50 PM · Report
12
Mariann Adams is a nitwit.
Posted by anatta on September 17, 2009 at 12:00 AM · Report
13
This pic is less offensive then the part French, part English comments by Matt. This is reminiscent of the high school French teacher who refused to answer you in English even if you ran into them after you graduated, ugh.

"Oblenez plus vous-meme"
Posted by Unreal on September 17, 2009 at 10:22 AM · Report
14
Speaking of English, then and than are two different words.
Posted by Beer Batter on September 17, 2009 at 10:42 AM · Report

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