The Backlash! - November 1994

Letters to the Editor

TV for men's issues

August 12, 1994 - Dear Rod -- I like the articles in The Backlash! Keep up the great work. We've been busy, too.

We campaigned US West Direct -- the regional yellow pages company -- to end their sexism. For years, they had a heading entitled "Women's Organizations," but failed to have the counterpart heading, "Men's Organizations." Until now. They will beginning in our 1995 Yellow Pages! So please call your local Yellow Pages company and tell them to get with it.

On July 18, Business Week ran a one-sided article on child-support, entitled "Unleash the Bill Collectors on Deadbeat Dads." I responded with a letter to the editor.

WABC Radio in New York City is waxing victim-feminist, again. "There isn't a chance in Hell" that National Center for Men executive director Mel Feit will be allowed to host a regular talk show on men's issues. Mel's only been a guest for many dozens of hours over the past decade. Please call the program director, John Mainelli, at 212-613-3805, and tell him Mel deserves a shot.

And remember, we must "call, write and protest" whenever we see sexism.

James Pierce Whinston, deputy director, The National Center for Men, OR

Repressing false memories

August 22, 1994 -- Wow! Thanks for setting me straight! The Backlash! printed a letter discrediting those who claim Repressed Memory Syndrome is another vile feminist conspiracy. I'm sure I'm not the only Backlash reader who has been mislead on this issue, and it's good to read the truth.

But, the science council of the AMA (American Medical Association) and its House of Delegates voted to recommend therapists ignore the veracity of such claims, and concentrate on treating the patient's emotional state. Why? Because there is no way to determine the reliability or falsehood of such claims. The American Psychiatric Association earlier issued a similar resolution.

Those who have trouble remembering things certainly have their work cut out for them, correcting all those misinformed and discredited people -- a group which includes almost every person in the country who does not need psychiatric care.

Until then, we Backlash readers can do our part. If you're accused of raping your 40 year old daughters when they were 2 weeks old, 'fess up like a man! Then, do the civilized thing and blow your baby-raping brains out! Women simply don't lie about these things. The memory that was broken for 40 years suddenly becomes total reliable.

There's other things to be written about. For example, there's the belief many of us have that 125,000 false sex abuse charges are filed every year. And, we believe women commit more than 50 percent of domestic violence, and more than 60 percent of child abuse. Are we wrong on that stuff, too? Also, there's the Easter Bunny thing. I've wondered about that since I was a kid.

Bruce McGovern, IA

Editor's note: Aw come on, Bruce, tell us how you really feel.

Boys have rights, too

September 1, 1994 - Attention to all -- What is the new form of discipline being administered to the students of Issaquah high school in Issaquah, Washington? Being expelled from school? Getting a swat across the read end? No! Now it's strip searches. Yes, that's right, strip searches. The same tactic used in every prison across the United States, but now it's being done in a public school system. Just ask the fifteen students at Liberty High School who found themselves in that position when it was thought that one of them had stolen one hundred dollars from another student, which by the way was never recovered.

The students' families contacted the ACLU and of course a lawsuit was filed against the school board but not before the principal was fired and allowed to flee Washington state and go to Alaska where he is getting ready to teach again. Nothing has changed except the wording of the policy. Now strip searches are only allowed if there's a danger to other students or teachers. One hundred dollars in my pocket sure scares me, how about you?

The moral of this story, know your rights!

Mike Crow, WA

Any good agents out there?

September 8, 1994 - Rod -- Sounds like you got ripped off by your agent if all he could come up with is Northwest. I'm excited about you forming a publishing company. That's great!

Thought I'd respond to an issue brought up in your last Backlash! I believe definitely in maintaining a high level of integrity and ethical standards. But some attention is needed to the men's equality effort.

Take care, Alan, UT

The Backlash! electric

September 9, 1994 - Dear sirs -- I am Treasurer for the Texas-Fort Worth Fathers for Equal Rights. I read about your publication in The Liberator. I would appreciate it if you would send me a recent issue for review and to pass around the FW chapter. Also, please send any other info you feel might be appropriate.

Russ, TX

Editor's note: Our thanks to The Liberator. Unfortunately, we can no longer keep up with the tremendous demand for "sample copies." Now, we send copies of the cover and page 3 in regular letter-sized envelopes. Meanwhile, we will look into distributing The Backlash! in book stores, and the long-awaited electronic-Backlash! is just about ready for distribution on the Internet. (Rather, the Internet is just about ready for us.)

DADS Television Network

September 27, 1994 - Rod -- Thanks for stopping by the DADS office in Seattle and being part of the program.

Perhaps you might speak of your experience in the next Backlash, and let others know about our TV program. The DADS Television Network.

If you are ever in Portland, let me know in advance; perhaps I'll have time to show you more.

Thanks again for being there.

Victor Smith, OR

Growing pangs

October 1, 1994 - Dear Editor -- I just got the September issue of Backlash! and it is terrific, as usual.

I do have an observation or two to make, however. In the Resource Directory, my phone and voice mail are reversed.

Also, it would be helpful if you would divide the directory up into categories, i.e., Circumcision, Magazines, Gay, or whatever.

Keep up the great work! Maybe (name deleted to protect his ... reputation? ...) will introduce me when I go up in November.