Mailbag

New Wingspan Leader Proves 'Don't Ask' Is Nonsense

I found it very interesting that the Tucson Weekly ran an article about the continuation or demise of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy regarding gay members ("Over and Out?" Currents, June 17). The interesting part of this appears later in the same issue, where there was a profile of Linda Thomas, the new director of programs at Wingspan (TQ&A, June 17).

Thomas is a retired Air Force colonel. She is also gay. Who's kidding who here? The military establishment fostered and furthered this woman's career, including selecting her as the commander of an important installation. I contend that there is no way her sexual orientation was not known, or was at least subject to suspicion, yet she obviously had a stellar career. The military hierarchy should grow up and simply admit that gay individuals serve in just about every capacity, honorably and—maybe someday—proudly.

I am a veteran, and I say that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is nonsense.

A. Roy Olson


Where's the Coverage on 'Bodies' Controversy?

The recent uproar over the lion-meat burgers in Mesa and the circus coming to Tucson makes me compare those news stories to the coverage of Bodies ... The Exhibition downtown. I am shocked that the alternative press has been silent on this issue.

There have been a few protesters, but for the most part, Tucsonans are not considering where the bodies came from. Premier Exhibitions admits they did not get any sort of consent from the people before they died; they are "unclaimed" bodies from China.

I understand this exhibit is part of the downtown revitalization; however, without consent, it is an ethical problem. The state of Hawaii has banned these exhibits; other states are considering similar actions. If Tucsonans do not know about this issue, and it's not being reported, then it sounds like a banned story. Just because something is educational does not mean it is not a human-rights violation.

Travis Klein