I read with interest Sean Belk’s article in the October 12 Signal Tribune about the aftermath of the CSULB/League of Women Voters candidate forum on Oct. 5. Having attended the event, I had a few observations about it and about your article.
Firstly, Mr. Belk’s article accurately describes the young lady’s behavior as against the League of Women Voters’ ground rules for recording. This information should not have been buried at the bottom of the piece. Such information is integral to the story. It should have appeared earlier in the piece.
Secondly, your picture of the “tracker” does not portray how rudely the young lady was behaving with her camera phone. I witnessed her shining the light of the camera into Gary DeLong’s eyes from approximately six or eight inches away from his face. It was quite clear to me she intended to provoke a response.
Lastly, Mr. Lowenthal’s claim that he has nothing to do with the young woman’s rule-breaking activities is disingenuous at best. Mr. DeLong appealed to Mr. Lowenthal man-to-man and informed him of the rules infringement, but Mr. Lowenthal, against his better judgment, refused to appeal to the woman to follow the rules. If he had intervened, there’s no doubt she would have ceased her rude behavior.
The only conclusion to be drawn is that Mr. Lowenthal condones the use of dirty political tricks and rule-breaking. I will not be voting for him on November 6.
Shirley Thomas
Long Beach
