ORATO EDITOR KEEPING COMPANY WITH APC

Oldtown News
Vancouver, BC

ORATO EDITOR KEEPING COMPANY WITH APC

I guess my latest post where I presented an overview of the Pickton trial presenting convenient opportunities, rattled the cage of the Orato editor.

Orato is a relative newcomer to the blog-o-sphere and is attempting to make a name for itself. It chose to run a major feature on the Pickton case and this is what really launched their online presence.

The editor took offence over my blog piece and in an email to me, took a number of potshots at me.

I don't usually bother responding to the numerous online rants and attacks on my character, which usually centre on either my gender or my appearance. However, I feel it necessary to point out what I consider a lack of professionalism coming from the Orato editor. This editor who by the way, is a trained journalist. Hm.

A while back, I was concerned over a piece written by an Orato Correspondent Citizen. This writer was writing on the Pickton trial and stated that all sex trade workers were liars.

I was personally offended and I did the correct thing and sent a private email to the Editor, expressing my dismay. I stated this was inappropriate and suggested an apology should be offered. Of course, none was.

The Editor and I had a series of email exchanges where I was referred to as Nelly by the Editor. This comment in itself is very unprofessional and reeks of transphobia.

As a result of a number of what I thought were private email exchanges between the Editor and myself, suddenly an Orato public commentary appeared on June 28, 2007.

The piece written by the Correspondent Citizen, who I have never met, was called Active Sex Trade Worker vs Former Sex Trade Worker. In the piece, I was singled out and ridiculed for my long history of fighting for sex worker rights. Moreover, in the comments section, anonymous individuals were given free reign to attack my character.

I don't reply to these types of gutter-snipe attacks and let it go. I wasn't about to sink to that same level.

This latest email volley directed at me though, which I chose not to print, is worthy of a response.

In my opinion, the Editor of Orato is not only immature but really unprofessional.

Speaking of immature, I arrived at the Vancouver Police Board meeting yesterday, where myself and colleague, Jen Allan were speaking on the missing women's reward.

The APC gang attempted to block our entry into the building.

These juvenile protesters informed me that I wasn't allowed into the Police headquarters. Around 25 of them surrounded myself and Jen. Jen was a bit shaken over the incident since the APC were right in our face.

Thankfully, the police moved in and made room for Jen and I to enter the building. The APC took to calling the Police, Jen and I pigs.

It just goes to show that this group are not worthy of even being considered genuine protesters.

APC is really dumb. They think they can dictate who is allowed to attend public meetings and this just shows how out to lunch they are. How stupid of them to actually think they have the right to block people from attending public meetings.

The APC profess to be helping the poor but what they are doing is using the poor to carry out their cowardly deeds. This group actually are modern-day fascists and they are disgusting.

I have a suggestion for them. Perhaps the Orato editor can provide them with citizen correspondent status and they can all spew their bile together.

Jamie Lee Hamilton
tricia_foxx@yahoo.com