Dear Council Member Iseman,
I’m confused. During discussion of the American flag graphic on police cars at a recent City Council meeting, you said this city was “built on the bodies of dead hippies.” That would not fly with your own liberal constituency if you just replaced the word “hippies.”
I’m not offended. There may be some truth to that, after all. But one can equally say that this city was built on the bodies of straight white men, for example. Would that be untrue? Straight white men also had a lot to do with the development and construction of Laguna Beach, but if anyone were to have said that, such a person would be labeled a “bigot” in the political climate you seem to be contributing to. And of course, you excluded Jews and Muslims and Hare Krishnas and gay people. And what about the Mormons?
The fact is that this city was built on the bodies of all kinds of people, not just one kind of people.
Laguna Beach prides itself in being inclusive. And you, as an elected official, are supposed to represent all of us, not just the folks whom you find acceptable within your own social circles.
Does the party of tolerance and diversity not tolerate a diversity of opinions?
Eric Bell, Laguna Beach
HERE IS THE FULL UNDERACTED LETTER I WROTE TO TONI ISEMAN:
Dear Council Member Iseman –
I’m confused. While agreeing with those who characterize residents who wish to keep the American flag on our police cars as “the dark underbelly of Laguna Beach” you said something at that City Council meeting that would not fly with your own Liberal constituency – if you just replaced just one word – “hippies”.
You said that this city was “built on the bodies of dead hippies”.
I’m not offended. There may be some truth to that, after all. But one can equally say that this city was built on the bodies of straight white men, for example. Would that be untrue?
Straight white men also had a lot to do with the development and construction of Laguna Beach, but if anyone were to have said THAT such a person would be labeled a “bigot” in the political climate you seem to be contributing to.
And of course you excluded Jews and Muslims and Hare Krishnas and Gay People. And what about the Mormons?
The fact is that this city was built on the bodies of ALL kinds of people, NOT just one kind of people.
Laguna Beach prides itself in being inclusive. And you, as an elected official, are supposed to represent ALL of us, not just the folks whom you find acceptable within your own social circles.
So why collude with those who would characterize residents who value patriotism as “the dark underbelly of Laguna Beach”? That’s ugly. That is cruel. That is unkind. THAT is intolerant.
Does the party of tolerance and diversity not tolerate a diversity of opinions?
This concerned Laguna Beach Resident would like to know.
Sincerely,
Eric Bell
Laguna Beach Resident
FYI: Stu News also watered down my original letter to Iseman.
There appears to be something of an old boy network going on in this town.
Can straight white men be hippies too? Asking for a straight white dead hippie.
LOL
Of course.
Thank you for your LTE, Eric.
How on earth does a “Letter to the Editor” get edited by the editor??
There is something totally wrong with that!
@Christopher – It’s called Cronyism.
Eric,
In rewatching the tapes from those contentious Council meetings….Ms. Iseman’s comment was in response to a negative comment from Councilman Blake mentioning ‘Hippies’. She isolated that group ONLY is response to Mr. Blake’s comment. I trust that clears things up.