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HARDBALL POLITICS
Why did Duane Roberts confess to the Weekly's Nick Schou his serial stalking of the family of Dr. Don Garcia (“Bring Me the Head of Donald Garcia,” July 19)? Was it a cry for help?
Roberts told Schou he was out there in the dark at least 15 times in January and February, watching the Garcia family through their windows: “I would be right outside the house, usually at night. I noticed there was this older boy that was there, and I began to think that this kid was old enough to be in school. . . . And I began to wonder, 'Where does this kid go to school?'”
As a mother and grandmother, I find this very creepy. Last week, a child was snatched from her Orange County yard, raped and murdered by a predator. She could have been my grandchild; Garcia's little ones could be my grandchildren. None of us can afford to take lightly predatory behavior toward children.
There may be more to Roberts' confessions than the exuberant bragging of a publicity seeker.
Schou had a bit of fun with this piece, writing it as though he were Roberts' press agent. It was a departure from his usually impressive investigative work. What does he really know about Roberts other than his voter registration? What does Roberts do for a living? Where does he live? Is he a homeowner? Married? Children? Who is he, really?
Maybe Roberts has some inkling his behavior is abnormal. Perhaps he reached out to a reporter in hopes someone would read his story and help him before it's too late and he hurts someone.
Mel Kernahan
Laguna Woods
Nick Schou responds: I respect Mel Kernahan but can say unequivocally that her attempt to link Duane Roberts' political activism with the murder of Samantha Runnion is among the most desperate and despicable political spins I've encountered.
'LA ESTRELLA' SE FUNDIÓ
Finally someone speaks against the crap that the supposedly “Super” Estrella (KSSE-FM 97.5) plays over the air waves (Gustavo Arellano's “Five-Year Flop,” July 19). Five years ago, I, too, believed there would finally be a station dedicated to the rock en español phenomenon. Wrong! Their “Reventón” is the Hispanic equivalent of Wango Tango. With so many great bands out there, why, oh, why does this station think Paulina Rubio is a singer? Why, oh, why do they play Mana songs from 10 years ago? Why, oh, why are they even still on the air? I'm really thirsty for some real music en mi idioma in the largest Hispanic market in the country. Ivonne Camacho
via e-mail
Gustavo Arellano responds: Why, oh, why didn't I get to see the concert? See next week's Lowballasschatter.
THIS OLD COMBO MAN STILL FEELS THE BEAT
Your story on the murder trial of Henry McCracken and the advent of TV news jolted me into memories long forgotten (Nathan Callahan's “Live Noir,” July 12). As a reporter/photographer—what they used to call a “combo man”—for the now-defunct Orange Daily News, I attended the news conference in the old jail. I had never seen a TV news crew before, but I remember the resentment of the veteran print reporters when the TV newsmen ordered them out of the way so they could get an unobstructed view. It was very tense as the print reporters told the TV crew what they could do with their cameras. After the press conference, McCracken was moved to another location. I was tipped off they were taking McCracken out a back door. I got a full frontal picture as he was led out. It got front page coverage.
I left the paper that same year because, in those days, reporters were expected to work for nothing, just the joy of seeing your name on the byline. I had a family, and working 60 hours a week, six days a week, for low pay did not put bread on the table.
David Hart
Orange ONE WOMAN'S HOOT IS ANOTHER MAN'S NANNY
Bravo to Stacy Davies for her article about Hootenanny (“Burning Sensations,” July 5). The fact she wrote about a live music festival without actually writing about music is truly amazing. She mentions X and Nashville Pussy and writes that “rockabilly's about your attitude.” Ultimately, this article is about her attitude. X and Nashville Pussy have nothingto do with rockabilly (or the rockabilly “scene” she seems to despise so much); neither did half the bands on the bill! Of course, Davies doesn't know that. She is much more interested in boorish commentary on a subculture she couldn't care less about. Steve Merritt
Star Tone Records Stacy Davies responds:Hey, Steve, were you wasted when you read my article? Almost 700 words filled with lust and admiration for the people and the scene is hardly a slam. And I never said X was rockabilly; I said they were on the bill. If you have a bone to pick with the band lineup—and it seems you have 206 of them—direct your venom at the show's promoters. As you said, I know nothing about it and “couldn't care less.” AND NOW, LETTERS JUST IN . . . VIA PONY EXPRESS
Regarding your sick, racist article “The 31 Scariest People in OC” (Oct. 26, 2001): How dare you? You know, not all Arabs are bad; not all Arabs are strange or hate others. And we don't wear turbans!If you are going to print such racially charged filth, at least get it right. Amal Chaaban
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
It's pathetic that your pitiful little paper and staff degrade Sugar Ray (hmmm, near as we can tell, either George Fryer's “Hey, Mom, I'm a Rock Star,” July 23, 1999; or Michael Alarcon's “Sugar Ray Fights Back, Aug. 14, 1998; or any number of throwaway lines in Lowballasschatter). The band—including Mark McGrath—are wonderful people and don't deserve to read such insulting material about them. You have a reputation of disliking Sugar Ray, so obviously you don't know good talent when you see it! Printing a negative letter about Sugar Ray comes a lot easier to idiots like you than printing a positive one.
Alyssa Acosta
via e-mail
