WW welcomes letters to the editor via mail, e-mail or fax. Letters must be signed by the author and include the author's street address and phone number for verification. Preference will be given to letters of 250 words or less. Speed The Palau I would like to respond to your cover story by Philip Dawdy ["Down by the Riverside," WW, Aug. 25, 1999]. If Dawdy's intent was to introduce Luis Palau to those who didn't know of him before Portland Festival '99, I think he gave a very warped and negative idea of who Luis is. He was portrayed as a man with a mission: to take over Billy Graham's supposedly lucrative evangelistic empire. He has never been in competition with Dr. Graham but in fact has always been a strong ally. Luis Palau is a very humble man who has a great sense of humor, and I can almost hear him saying that Billy Graham is "getting old, you know." He would have had a smile on his face, knowing that he himself is no spring chicken and that it had nothing whatsoever to do with wanting Graham's faithful for himself. Those of us who have known of Dr. Palau for many years already knew this and take exception to Dawdy's view of him. Palau is currently in the process of helping to educate and equip many others as evangelists, knowing that there will always be the need for humankind to hear of God's love, forgiveness and salvation. Since there were 340 churches (not to mention hundreds of private donors) who directly financed the festival, it is obvious that a large percentage of the population already knows who he is. Dawdy also intimated that because many of the festival-goers assumed that the bands played for free, there was something wrong with the fact that these bands were paid for their services. How does he think Christian bands pay their bills? Finally, if Luis Palau's goal is bigger and better crowds, it would seem to be unprofitable for him to preach next in Fargo, N.D. His agenda is quite different from the one Dawdy portrays. Maybe the next time he reports on something he obviously doesn't agree with--or understand--he could go with a little less bias and more objectivity. Cindy Elting Aloha The Empire Strikes Back I must respectfully, but vigorously, protest the language and implications of recent statements attributed to David Olson, head of Portland's Office of Cable Communications ["The Shot Heard 'Round the World Wide Web," WW, Aug. 11, 1999]. Mr. Olson is quoted as saying of his relationship with AT&T, "I'm engaged in a battle with the Dark Side." I must ask: What has AT&T possibly done to warrant being referred to as the "Dark Side" by Mr. Olson? AT&T has been a responsible corporate partner in the city of Portland for years. We employ hundreds of people in quality, clean, high-tech jobs that add millions of dollars in payroll to the city. We have never been charged with or convicted of breaking any laws or ordinances while doing business in and with the city. We have wired schools, public buildings and other facilities in the city with cable installations at our expense, and we provide free cable services to these schools and public buildings. AT&T has invested tens of millions of dollars in the city of Portland building a state-of-the-art telecommunications system for its citizens. That system will allow people a competitive choice for local telephone service, high-speed Internet access and various other telecommunications services necessary to keep Portland competitive in the high-tech economy of the next century. AT&T and our employees have raised millions of dollars for Portland charities and causes over the years. In fact, AT&T and our employees made charitable contributions of over $1 million in Portland in just the last year alone. With United Way drives, sponsorships for the Art Museum and Historical Society, participation on the boards of numerous charities and non-profit organizations, AT&T has tried to be a responsible, contributing and valuable corporate citizen in everything we do. In light of our investments and contributions to make Portland a better place to live, work and raise our families, being referred to as the "Dark Side" by a city administrator is offensive, inexcusable and beyond comprehension. Kevin Mulligan Director of Communications AT&T Broadband and Internet Services - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Willamette Week | originally published September 8, 1999