Religious intolerance, bigotry triggered writing of books, speaker-author says

In response to Wayne Burgess’ letter (in the April 23 edition of the Daily Planet) regarding my talk to the Ethical Society (of Asheville), I would like to state that were it not for the intolerance, bigotry, immorality and harm of organized religion, I would not have written my books.

Human morality did not come from a god, but from man’s self-interest.

The clergy have been so successful painting atheists as immoral that most atheists must disguise themselves as free-thinkers, rationalists, Brights or realists. I can show him (Burgess) many atheists who are doing good deeds.
Perhaps Burgess will tell us which of the 10,000 gods in the world today he would have us follow.

JOHN A. HENDERSON, M.D.
Asheville

Newspaper’s gang story termed off-base

In your story about Asheville Police Det. Louis Tomasetti’s gang education presentation before the Leadership Asheville Forum (in last week’s edition of the Daily Planet), your writer reported that:

“First of all, there’s only white people here. Where are the (city’s) black leaders?” Ironically, he said the only African-American at the luncheon was Melissa Williams, who (Andy) Glatstein described as “the handler” for Splain and Tomasetti.”

Your reporter did not speak to me and certainly did not ask me what my job is.

I am the community relations manager for the APD. A large part of my job is organizing efforts for our officers (not just Capt. Splain and Det. Tomasetti) to be at such events, as well as to attend as many as I can myself.

I resent the lazy reporting in my regard and that of these officers, as well as the mischaracterization of my purpose.
I would like a correction in your next issue, in which you clarify what my actual job title is.

MELISSA WILLIAMS
Community Relations Manager
Asheville Police Department
Asheville

EDITOR’S NOTE: The quotation that Williams attributes above to the Daily Planet actually was attributed in the story to meeting attendee Andy Glatstein. The term “handler” was Glatstein’s term for her function at the speaker’s forum as the APD’s community relations manager.

Reader requests horoscopes in the Planet

I am an employee at Sonopress, out in Weaverville, and we have your paper in our break rooms. Love the paper and enjoy reading it, but I have only one suggestions ... Why don’t you include horoscopes in your paper?

I know it’s a cliché, but it’s entertaining and gives everyone one more good reason to pick up your paper and read it. Thanks for reading my letter. Have a great day!

JAMIE LYNN SLUDER
Weaverville

Dorothy Parker show critique draws praise

Thanks for your recent write-up on my Dorothy Parker show (in John North’s column in the Feb. 13 edition of the Daily Planet headlined “Dorothy Parker’s world of wit never gets old”). I really appreciated it.

Actually, your comments gave me ideas on making a few changes to the script. Come and see it at A-B Tech in the Ferguson Auditorium on May 2 or 3 at 7:30, or at ACT’s 35below on May 23, 24 or 25 to see if you like the additions.
True, I am an old lady, as your article implied, but this fact is precisely what led me to do this play (and to write it, also) in the first place. There are so very, very few parts for women of my age.

The changes I have made are intended to let the audience know beyond all shadow of a doubt that Dorothy is recalling her story from the vantage point of her long life. Her earlier life is re-lived in memory.

Again, thanks for your write-up.

ROSELYNN KATZ
Asheville