Letters

SOMETHING FOUL

Having been named in your article on the Bird Rock Bandits [“Murder in Paradise?” by Peter Wilkinson, July], I feel compelled to comment. First and foremost, my condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased.

The [magazine] titles Wilkinson’s piece “Murder in Paradise?” I believe “Death in Paradise” would have been more appropriate. [The author] also should be careful [describing me with the] adjective “elderly.” I believe his editor-in-chief is two years my senior.

The author’s source [for a quote attributed to me] must have been my letter to Judge John Einhorn, dealing with the character of my nephew [Hank Hendricks]. Hank’s guilt was arriving back in paradise that night, and being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I only know my nephew, and I had never heard of the Bird Rock Bandits. My quote to Judge Einhorn was only in reference to the Pump House Gang. I said, “It was not a gang, only a group of kids growing up.” The judge must have seen the similarities.

This and other articles only sensationalize the case while insinuating bigotry and hate. There could be a bad political aroma here. When all the evidence is presented, I believe it will show a very unfortunate outcome to an alcohol-induced, one-punch fight.

J. CHRISTOPHER HENDRICKS
LA JOLLA

THE RUB

Your “Dog Days” contribution to the calendar year is underwhelming [Journal by Ron Donoho, August]. “Couldn’t those days be put to better use?” was a disappointment.

With roughly 73,000 San Diego County residents living with psoriasis, it’s an embarrassment to begin an article with “Nothing is scheduled to happen this August. Sure, it’s National Psoriasis Awareness Month. So stock up on skin cream.”

August is a month of action for those living with psoriasis. Psoriasis Awareness Month is dedicated to breaking down barriers, building awareness and educating the public that psoriasis is not “just a skin thing.” Since psoriasis is not a skin disease but rather an autoimmune-mediated disease, the suggestion to “stock up on skin cream” is absurd. For many, psoriasis control is often frustrating and an expensive process with mixed results.

It’s important to remember the facts before making a statement: Psoriasis is a noncontagious, chronic, autoimmune disease that appears on the skin and causes red, scaly patches. The patches can appear on any part of the body. Psoriasis can cause significant disability and is often associated with other serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and depression. Ten to 30 percent of people with psoriasis may also develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints.

We appreciate the opportunity to educate your writers and readers about a disease that affects more than 7.5 million Americans.

RANDY BERANEK
PRESIDENT & CEO
NATIONAL PSORIASIS FOUNDATION
PORTLAND, OREGON

AN INVITATION

I am a San Diego clinical psychologist who has lived with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis from the age of 10. I am saddened by the lack of sensitivity expressed by Ron Donoho in his July “Dog Days” column. Donoho’s statement——“Nothing is scheduled to happen this August. Sure, it’s National Psoriasis Awareness Month. So stock up on skin cream.”——is based on ignorance.

Having lived with this physically painful, disabling and emotionally stigmatizing disease for several decades, I learned great compassion and decided to dedicate my life to helping those suffering with chronic health conditions such as psoriasis. I have volunteered for the National Psoriasis Foundation in many capacities over a period of about 20 years to help reduce ignorance and improve the quality of life of those stigmatized by this often-minimized disease.

A common misconception about psoriasis is that it is simply an undesirable skin condition. Psoriasis is not at all just something that simply requires stocking up on creams. Many recall [the phrase] from long ago “the heartbreak of psoriasis.” It is much more than heartbreak, and is often extremely disabling. Many San Diegans are too embarrassed to wear clothes that may reveal their disease. Worse, they may be in so much pain they are not physically able to leave their home. Many suffer from depression and anxiety living day-to-day with this illness.

I chair the annual National Psoriasis Walk for Awareness in San Diego, scheduled to take place at San Diego’s beautiful Mission Bay Park on October 4. Our inaugural walk was last year, and more than 300 San Diegans came out to participate, raising more than $30,000. The purpose is not only to raise funds for programs of advocacy, education and research to ultimately find a cure but also to bring awareness to this misunderstood disease.

I would like to personally invite you to learn more about the disease. And if he is interested, I would like to sponsor Ron Donoho in our upcoming Walk for Awareness.

VICKIE L. DOWLING
SAN DIEGO

STAND-UP GUY

Please convey my appreciation to Richard Darvas for his masterly, moving article [“Standing Up for Homeless Vets,” Web Exclusives, sandiegomagazine.com]. This Stand Down was my first but won’t be my last.

GORDON KAPLAN
PRESIDENT
HOMELESS COURT ALLIANCE
SOLANA BEACH

WRITE & WRONG

The San Diego city treasurer has launched a program to compel freelance writers to pay an annual business license tax that contradicts the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment. Intellectually and politically——as well as legally——it assaults those who believe in a free press, unfettered expression and an open society.

I write from experience.

The city treasurer has sent me a bill for $369.89 for a business tax, with penalties, for the years 2005-2008. Included are convoluted fees, such as a late fee, zoning fee, surcharge and processing fee. The treasurer’s office told me they obtained my name from information provided by the California Franchise Tax Board, which obtained it from my state income tax returns.

I should mention I haven’t earned any freelance-writing fees since 2005 because of health problems. But that is a lesser issue than the assault upon the U.S. Constitution. The First Amendment says: “Congress shall make no law respecting . . . or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging freedom of speech, or of the press . . .”

From my viewpoint, this governmental atrocity is not a money issue. If the fee were as little as $1, it still would be a consummate violation of civil rights. Who will be the next writer to be told by the city treasurer that if he wants to write, he’ll have to pay the government for the privilege?

HAL D. STEWARD
UNIVERSITY CITY

IN A NAME

I’m in local media, and I’m not complaining about your choice of Jeff & Jer for “best radio show.” The writer of that article should be fired. He has two of Jerry’s last names on it, and one of them is misspelled. He calls the show a “duo” when it is an ensemble. I think there are at least 10 people on that show.

RAY RAY
SAN DIEGO

The station calls it the Jeff & Jer Showgram. They are the starring duo. Jer’s surname is Cesak; St. James is his “stage” name. The mistake of using both names was made in the editing process, not by the writer.——EDITOR

DRINK TO THAT

Yay! I just got my first call from a guest who is staying at The Cliffs, your recommendation, from the article [“All Aboard” by Ron Donoho, Travels, July] and called us for a Central Coast wine tour.

The visitor indicated she had never been here, and she thought a wine tour is what she’s supposed to do, since that is what you wrote about. She had ripped the page out of your magazine.

Love it!

JILL TWEEDIE
BREAKAWAY TOURS
PISMO BEACH

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