Mr Parsons

Dana Parsons' Jan. 8 column addressed an editorial written by Agustin Alvarez that appeared in the Deputy Sheriffs Assn. magazine. In his editorial, Alvarez commented on his view of the homosexual lifestyle. Mr. Parsons viewed Alvarez's comments as "appalling." It is altogether fitting and proper that Mr. Parsons state his views. Mr. Parsons, however, is not willing to grant the same rights to Mr. Alvarez. Parsons and the public, according to Parsons, "don't harbor such thoughts, and don't want their law enforcement people to do so."

I was disappointed in Dana Parsons' column of May 9 ("Antonio Is Dead; Has Police Department Credibility Died Too?"). I don't know who David Gonzalez is or what his reasons were for making the inflammatory remarks that appeared in the column, but Parsons' use of them was extraordinarily unfair to the city of Huntington Beach and its Police Department. Is that all it takes to print your paper: walk the halls of any courthouse in the county, easily collect criticism of law enforcement, and flog any police agency with innuendoes?

After reading Dana Parsons' Aug. 2 "Drink, Worry and Death Cannot Touch Me. I Am 17" column, about what goes on in the mind of a 17-year-old, I remembered back to when I was about 17 years old. The thought of growing old was so far in the distance--I knew I would never grow old! Death was something that happened to other people--old people! In my mind I was a very special person--invincible! Mr. Parsons wrote from the depths of a 17-year-old's mind, expressing what a 17-year-old thinks, either consciously or subconsciously.

Re Dana Parsons' column "He's the Perfect Candidate for the White House," Oct. 10. First, I do read, faithfully, Mr. Parsons' column, and until this one have found them sensitive but also provocative, informative or humorous. I hope this one was intended to be humorous. But even the name "Dennis Keith Rodman" is inflammatory. I respect the right of most anyone to make a statement, but I draw the line at an individual who, in an audience, shouts "Fire!" or one with behaviors exhibited by Rodman.

Dana Parsons recently wrote a column defining reasons not to support the boycott of Colorado's anti-gay law ("You Don't Have to Hate Gays to Keep Loving Colorado," Jan. 20). Frankly, I was disappointed by Mr. Parsons as he has a good reputation for supporting civil rights. Mr. Parsons seems to have adopted the philosophy that ignoring bigotry and hate will make it vanish. Would his new formula work to restore the broken and demolished body of the man recently "bashed" to near death in Laguna Beach?

Re Dana Parsons' column "Scent of Fear Sends Scribe to Library Seeking Answers" (Oct. 3): Dana Parsons' humorous attempt at looking at the Santa Ana Library issue fell flat. To him it may be a situation of levity, but to those directly involved, it's mighty serious. Maybe Mr. Parsons has never worked in an environment in which staff has been afraid to come to work the next day because of tension in the workplace. The library staff and library board have been attempting to resolve this volatile situation for two years.

I appreciate the compliment from Dana Parsons ("Primary Offers Chance to End Dannemeyer's Career," Feb. 27) that, "There are no trick mirrors and trapdoors with Dannemeyer--what you see is what you get." Such a compliment paid to a politician should be grounds for support. Unfortunately, what Mr. Parsons sees he does not like. Equally unfortunate is the reason why: my view of homosexuality as public policy. And what of this view? In a government run by a handful of dreaded Dannemeyers, true privacy would be enshrined in these matters.

I always look forward to reading Dana Parsons' column. Indeed, I believe, he wrote one if his finest pieces March 15 when he so thoughtfully addressed the gender gap ("Claims Against Doctor Highlight Gap Between the Sexes"). Quite insightfully Mr. Parsons illustrated how the gap between the sexes takes hold in our lives, citing very early childhood conditioning that deeply ingrains men with a sense of invulnerability and women with a sense of vulnerability. My heart was lifted by the empathy in Mr. Parsons' writing and his understanding of the vulnerability all women feel in this world.

I am extremely troubled by the implications contained in Dana Parsons' column ("A Death, Then Rage Against a System That Won't Listen," May 6) concerning the care of AIDS patient Scott DeMarco while at Mission Hospital. Had Mr. Parsons researched the allegations made by Mr. DeMarco's companion, Mr. (Donald) Abernathy, regarding the care provided to DeMarco, he would have found that the California Department of Health and Licensing, after thorough investigation, found all of the allegations to be completely unsubstantiated.

Dana Parsons starts his column ("There's a Nickname for Those Afraid of a Devil Mascot," April 2) talking about a 14-year-old who shot a 17-year-old. This is becoming a rather scary common occurrence that bothers everyone, and I would hope Mr. Parsons, too. However, he then spends the rest of his article (writing) about Mission Viejo High School's name of Diablos, which is Spanish for devils (and resulted in) caricatures of devils appearing on T-shirts being worn by some of the students.

After reading Dana Parsons' Aug. 2 "Drink, Worry and Death Cannot Touch Me. I Am 17" column, about what goes on in the mind of a 17-year-old, I remembered back to when I was about 17 years old. The thought of growing old was so far in the distance--I knew I would never grow old! Death was something that happened to other people--old people! In my mind I was a very special person--invincible! Mr. Parsons wrote from the depths of a 17-year-old's mind, expressing what a 17-year-old thinks, either consciously or subconsciously.

Dana Parsons starts his column ("There's a Nickname for Those Afraid of a Devil Mascot," April 2) talking about a 14-year-old who shot a 17-year-old. This is becoming a rather scary common occurrence that bothers everyone, and I would hope Mr. Parsons, too. However, he then spends the rest of his article (writing) about Mission Viejo High School's name of Diablos, which is Spanish for devils (and resulted in) caricatures of devils appearing on T-shirts being worn by some of the students.

Dana Parsons recently wrote a column defining reasons not to support the boycott of Colorado's anti-gay law ("You Don't Have to Hate Gays to Keep Loving Colorado," Jan. 20). Frankly, I was disappointed by Mr. Parsons as he has a good reputation for supporting civil rights. Mr. Parsons seems to have adopted the philosophy that ignoring bigotry and hate will make it vanish. Would his new formula work to restore the broken and demolished body of the man recently "bashed" to near death in Laguna Beach?

Normally I agree with the stand Dana Parsons takes on current issues; however, I must strongly disagree with the position he recently took with regard to bicycle helmets and the Irvine Unified School District. Philosophically, I agree with Mr. Parsons that if parents know what is best for their child, then a governmental body, here the school district, should stay out of it. On the subject of bicycle helmets, the statistics and research are rather recent and parents don't know that a head injury can be so serious and the wearing of a helmet can greatly reduce the injury.

I am extremely troubled by the implications contained in Dana Parsons' column ("A Death, Then Rage Against a System That Won't Listen," May 6) concerning the care of AIDS patient Scott DeMarco while at Mission Hospital. Had Mr. Parsons researched the allegations made by Mr. DeMarco's companion, Mr. (Donald) Abernathy, regarding the care provided to DeMarco, he would have found that the California Department of Health and Licensing, after thorough investigation, found all of the allegations to be completely unsubstantiated.

I always look forward to reading Dana Parsons' column. Indeed, I believe, he wrote one if his finest pieces March 15 when he so thoughtfully addressed the gender gap ("Claims Against Doctor Highlight Gap Between the Sexes"). Quite insightfully Mr. Parsons illustrated how the gap between the sexes takes hold in our lives, citing very early childhood conditioning that deeply ingrains men with a sense of invulnerability and women with a sense of vulnerability. My heart was lifted by the empathy in Mr. Parsons' writing and his understanding of the vulnerability all women feel in this world.

Re Dana Parsons' column "He's the Perfect Candidate for the White House," Oct. 10. First, I do read, faithfully, Mr. Parsons' column, and until this one have found them sensitive but also provocative, informative or humorous. I hope this one was intended to be humorous. But even the name "Dennis Keith Rodman" is inflammatory. I respect the right of most anyone to make a statement, but I draw the line at an individual who, in an audience, shouts "Fire!" or one with behaviors exhibited by Rodman.

Dana Parsons' Jan. 8 column addressed an editorial written by Agustin Alvarez that appeared in the Deputy Sheriffs Assn. magazine. In his editorial, Alvarez commented on his view of the homosexual lifestyle. Mr. Parsons viewed Alvarez's comments as "appalling." It is altogether fitting and proper that Mr. Parsons state his views. Mr. Parsons, however, is not willing to grant the same rights to Mr. Alvarez. Parsons and the public, according to Parsons, "don't harbor such thoughts, and don't want their law enforcement people to do so."