LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Call to action
Editor: In the matter of the disreputable, abandoned newspaper
kiosks/newstands along our public way, and in the matter of it
having been said that these, being private property are untouchable
for fear of legal retribution (unfoundabus fearious). We, the
undersigned, hereby address the following message to appropriate
Sebastopol city authority. In fact, we even address this message to
inappropriate city authority.
Know All Men By These Presents: In the spirit of the concept of
Citizen Action (akin to the rite of Citizen Arrest) we, the
citizens of this fair city, hereby declare (declarumias
courageitis) that Citizen Action hereby authorizes, deputizes,
legally protects, defends, immunizes city employees and city action
in the procedure of removing, forthwith, said eyesores (grossiac
eyesorias). In taking such action (goforitum) we say, hey, enough
is enough (e pluribus enuffenuff). Furthermore those news stands
hardly have a leg to stand on. Respectfully submitted (legalutous),
Citizen Action spokesperson, Martin Stan Buchner.
PS: In truth, those newstands are not just an eyesore, they are
disrespectful.
Martin Stan
Sebastopol
Free to Be educated
Editor: In a popular culture that encourages sexual involvement
for teens, many youth are eager to know their options. One high
school female told Free to Be’s peer educators: “Before today, I
didn’t know about abstinence. Now that I do, I not only respect
abstinence, but I am going to choose it.”
As part of their sex education, students have the right to
receive information on healthy relationships, setting goals and
making well-thought-out decisions, which are inherent in Abstinence
Education.
In a Dec. 1 Sonoma West Times & News article (“WSCUHSD
revisits sex education curriculum”), the ACLU stated that Free to
Be violates the California Education Code. However, several other
legal opinions, including the legal counsel of the Sonoma County
Office of Education, have come to a different conclusion. Free to
Be presentations are legal, these opinions state, when presented as
one part of a comprehensive sex education program. The idea that
Free to Be is the “only” sex education provided in our schools is
false and misleading.
In Sonoma County, Free to Be teen panels offer a one-hour high
school presentation. Teens share personal stories and answer
questions from their peers. Their information is encouraging and
educational. It is neither “fear-based” nor “biased.” Free to Be’s
teen panels provide medically accurate information, including the
fact that living an abstinent life-style is the only 100 percent
way to avoid the risk of pregnancy and STDs. We are fortunate in
Sonoma County to have this resource that is youth-driven and offers
our teens positive peer role models.
As parents, educators, and community leaders, we must ensure
that our youth have complete and accurate information when they are
making sexual decisions. That information includes contraceptive
education, or risk reduction, as well as information on risk
avoidance. That is what “comprehensive” means, and what sound
public health policy dictates.
Linda Zepponi-Hervey, Analy High School parent
Sue Bisbee, Executive Director of Free to Be