Party Decor Not Funny

If there was any humor in the macabre party decorations at Sheriff John V. Gillespie’s retirement party, it is only in the eye of the beholder (“Explanation Sought for Display at Ex-Sheriff’s Dinner,” Jan. 29).

Tombstones with the initials and epitaphs of five people who have publicly annoyed Gillespie are about as funny as bad ethnic jokes. Lots of folks may laugh, but for those who are the brunt of the joke, it goes much deeper, much like the situation of the black deputies who were subjected to the same type of “good ol’ boy humor.”

It just so happens that the five tombstone targets were all people that I love and/or respect. When I first learned that my husband was among them, I experienced a range of emotions. Disbelief, distrust, outrage, even fear. It is not inconceivable that, within such a large department as the sheriff’s, there are other employees, like the spittle-suckers who decorated for the party, that could create other opportunities to creatively suck up to the boss.

Will the threat, real or implied, of ending up in Boot Hill from those who are supposed to protect and to serve prevent the press, public organizations or individual citizens from exercising their constitutional rights? I pray it does not. The Bill of Rights still guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of the press. The Bill of Rights additionally guarantees freedom from fear.

DONNA HOLLINGSWORTH

Camarillo