Macaca talk
The January 19 issue of C-VILLE invited readers to offer comments on former Senator Allen’s use of the word “macaca” [“Allen vs. Webb part deux?,” Government News].
Undoubtedly your readers are aware that he was criticized for tagging one of his political opponent’s observers with the nickname “macaca.” It should be noted that it is usual for each candidate to use monitors to see what their opponents are saying. Consequently, when Allen noticed the same young man covering his campaign, George Allen in his usual relaxed mannger greeted him using this moniker “macaca.” The only thing that was unusual was the use of a word that no one had ever heard George use previously. In fact, few if any, knew its meaning if it had a meaning. It was apparently a made up word. Unfortunately two reporters for the Washington Post in writing for their paper started making a point that Allen used the word to denigrate his opponent and that the word had a racial connotation. The fabrication served to infer that Allen was a racist. To make matters worse, Allen’s campaign manager’s response to this charge was inept.
It just so happens however that the word “macaca” is not to be found in the usual dictionary. Nonetheless, it is a word associated with a small monkey native to the Phillipines. Those of us who were in the Philippines during WWII heard the locals using the word and knew its meaning. It was used by Filipinos in joking with their friends. It had no negative meaning whatsoever. In fact, it was often used in an endearing moment.
William P. Moore Jr.
Charlottesville
By the books?
So our taxpayer-paid hero Tom Frederick blinked and lost [“Lawsuit suggests dirty business,” January 19]. A token $500K paid over five years is his token win after spending probably millions of our money trying to stamp out competition. I don’t know how the courts would have ruled on the situation since it seems incredibly obscure, but one thing is sure—Frederick wasn’t in control of his agency and let Van der Linde, BFI, etc. run roughshod over him. Frederick should be fired. Last year he made well over $100,000 plus a $15,000 bonus. Anyone know what the bonus was for?
I guess his next pyrrhic victory—where he will announce success after spending millions of our money—will be his desire to kill thousands of trees and put in his desired reservoir. Of course he has no price tag he will reveal, and won’t let his consultants release their results unless he okays them. A public official who refuses to let the folks know what he’s up to? Apparently.
I read the county will have to close two libraries. So the county lets Frederick spend millions advancing his agenda, and our kids will lose? We have already read about the spending cuts for schools. So who does Frederick represent other than himself and his agenda?
Some public officials are protecting Frederick. I hope C-VILLE or whomever will find out who they are so we can remove them.
Derek Oppen
Charlottesville
Right to choose
I happened to come across the February 9 edition of C-VILLE where I read an article by Dan Friedman [“John Paul Jones must take account”] concerning the death of Morgan Harrington. Although I never give my opinion publicly about these kinds of affairs I felt so strongly that I just needed to voice my opinion. With due respect to Mr. Friedman and the Harrington family (we actually prayed for her safe return) I must speak on behalf of others that have also died tragic deaths right here at home. I don’t recall the city getting a bad reputation when an Hispanic person is killed violently. I don’t recall Charlottesville getting blamed after shootings that result in the death of an African-American. I do hear about the drugs involved or the alcohol or the crime record. And, rightly so, those are great objects on which to place blame. People of all different ethnicities have to make choices. Some choose to kill others and some choose to drink, do drugs. What good does anyone expect to come from a concert where alcohol and drugs are freely flowing and good judgement is heavily impaired? But, that’s the choice these young people make when they invest in this type of activity. No one is safe anywhere. As long as there are people, there are choices to be made. To place the blame on institutions, cities or other entities is to take away our responsibilities as individual human beings and our right to make choices. And please, although we also mourn with the Harrington family, many, many other unjust deaths have taken place right here in Charlottesville and I still love the place I call home.
Pastora Hazael Garay
Para Ti, Mujer
CORRECTIONS
Due to an editing error, the February 2 cover story about noise complaints in Belmont, “Noise in the ‘hood” incorrectly identified Dave Simpson in a photo caption. He is a former partner in Bel Rio, not a current partner, having left the business five months ago. C-VILLE regrets the error, and we just can’t say that loudly enough.
Due to a proofreading error, there was a mistake in a cover headline last week. “Police canvas Red Hill…” should have been “Police canvass Red Hill…”