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A Mother’s Response
I would like to thank you, Joe Tarr, for your perception of this day [Gay Day, Roane County, May 20 cover story]. I was at this event, and I am the mother of one of the coordinators. I am very proud of what my daughter has accomplished.
I would like to take a moment to address one man and his comment with my feelings on lesbians and homosexuality as I see it.
Mr. Radish stated: “[Homosexuals] want to represent themselves as good neighbors, dress themselves up and say, ‘Don’t worry, we’re just your neighbor next door.’ These people aren’t the good neighbor next door, they’re out to target young children. They must recruit their heritage,” he says.
These people are just like you and me sir, shame on you for thinking any different. They are good neighbors, friends and relatives. I love my God and my country; I work hard for my dollar and raised my children to the best of my ability as you did. My house is not a house of corruption, hatefulness or deceit, and I am sure yours is not of glass? Yet you throw stones and one is at my daughter. She does not target young children, and there are no statistics anywhere that homosexuality is recruiting. I do not see posters of where to sign up!
My daughter loved sports, sang songs, and was a happy baby. I dressed her like a little princess with her long golden locks of curls while she was little (most mothers will relate). She grew up quiet and reserved, not ever sharing her true feelings. She was active in sports and attended church regularly. As a teen there was a hint of unhappiness and insecurities that I could never lay my finger on. She had her long locks of gold removed to a short-haired look. Many pictures taken during her teen years were followed by the comments of, “You have beautiful sons.” I would follow, “No, this one is my daughter.”
When, as a young adult, she stepped out of the closet, I was in shock, broken-hearted and felt defeated, just like most parents of lesbians and homosexuals. These feelings were not for her as I thought; these feelings were for me! Selfish mother that I am. I questioned myself, “How could this have happened? What did I do wrong?” Well, sir, I did nothing wrong. She was born this way, and I had a choice to accept her for what she is or lose my daughter.
Today, when I look at my daughter, I see a happy, intelligent, bright woman with a very complicated life because of others. My daughter has stood up for what she believes in, and I support her in every way. I am very proud of you, Kristie Bacon, and never look back, as you are and will always be someone special. Keep fighting for your rights. I will always stand there with you, as I love you dearly.
Thank you again, Joe Tarr. That is an excellent picture of my daughter and her girlfriend on the cover.
Barbara Salley
Kingston
Drive ‘Branding’ Slowly
I am a real estate researcher in Nashville and happened to read your “Behind Downtown’s Brand” column [May 20] on the CBID poll just a few minutes after reading another [related] column elsewhere. Go to governing.com and click on Otis White’s column under “Economic Development.” He writes shorties and had a recent one related to this. Thought it would be of interest.
All of this ranking and branding reminds me of when Knoxville was named “America’s Most Livable City” by, I think, Money magazine. The guy who did the survey was our guest at a Chamber luncheon in Knoxville, and I had driven over to my favorite second hometown. In his remarks, the speaker addressed our strengths and weaknesses and noted that we ranked low in “recreation.”
So we pointed out all of our TVA lakes, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (just the start of our mountains), river rafting, minor league baseball, minor league hockey, major college football, numerous area parks, etc.
He simply noted that a lot of this was more than an hour’s drive from downtown and therefore it “does not count.” So I guess you have to market the brand to people who understand how to understand.
And, yes, that is my [real] last name. Keep up the good work.
Ed Branding
Nashville
An Old Bird Remembers
Congratulations on eloquent, thorough World War I recall [May 22] by Jack Neely; this old bird remembers a similar setting in Windsor, Conn., and waving to boys on trains headed toward France.
Nick Chase
Knoxville
Home Business Gets the Business
An open letter to City Councilwoman Barbara Pelot:
I am overwhelmed at the outpouring of support I have received after Tuesday [May 25] night’s lynching given to me by City Council, led by you. I have been contacted by neighbors, friends and many clients. You have no idea how much you will regret your participation in this ugly display of politics. The phrase “Witch Hunt” was used more than once.
I think it is sad that the City Council believes it is more informed and better suited than Metropolitan Planning Commission to make decisions that affect residential and commercial development.
I understand you have openly criticized the MPC staff as being “young, inexperienced, making too many mistakes and need[ing] to be watched over.” They are the paid professionals with college degrees in that field. They are knowledgeable of the codes and ordinances. They are employees of the taxpayers of this city, and we look to them for guidance; certainly not you.
The MPC commissioners are all successful business community leaders appointed by the city and county mayors. Mr. Hill, the entire staff at MPC, and the commissioners did their job. City Council dropped the ball.
It was shameful how poorly prepared City Council was with its knowledge of the law as it pertains to Home Occupancy. As a group, you looked unprepared, and it appeared that the only thing you heard was that you had the “discretion to rule on how you perceived the applicant’s business would impact the neighborhood.”
How can you as a governing body expect the citizens of Knoxville to comply with a law that you can’t interpret? You have MPC to guide you, but it is obvious that there is no leadership among you to know that.
No sour grapes for me. I have made arrangements to share an office (in a commercial-zoned office park outside the city limits of Knoxville) and will begin seeing clients there very soon.
My advice to anyone that wants to start a new business at home: Hide.
Mike Murdaugh
Knoxville
June 3, 2004 • Vol. 14, No. 23
© 2004 Metro Pulse
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