Letters

To the Editor: I was interested to see your recent interview with Al Wheeler, in which both the Sun and Wheeler proclaimed the failure of the Human Rights Party (Sun, July 29).

Let me remind you that the HRP is a statewide organization. Last April's election results in Ypsilanti, in which Harold Baize and I were re-elected, would indícate that your reports of our demise are greatly exaggerated. This November, the Ypsi HRP has a full slate on the ballot. And it is entirely possible that we will win in November for the first time by electing Zolton Ferency to the State Supreme Court.

What is truly unfortunate, however, is that none of the participants or observers of the Ann Arbor HRP's demise have made a thoughtful, constructive or self-critical analysis of what went wrong. The factionalism, elitism, off-the-wall ideologies, unrealistic expectations and hateful interpersonal relationships are typical of Ann Arbor politics.

There are lots of competing theories in Ann Arbor politics, but little unified action. It has been that way for years, and I believe that the elitist and individualistic attitudes of many U of M students from wealthy families provide a good atmosphere for disunity and ideological weirdness to exist.

The Human Rights Party is a minority party, and will remain so for some time. Still, we're the best alternative to the likes of Jerry Ford and Jimmy Carter and the patronage seekers, corporate interest groups, docile labor leaders and political thugs who follow their camps.

Though it may be a while before we take another seat on the Ann Arbor City Council, you can bet that we'll be around for some time to come. Sincerely, Eric Jackson Ypsilanti City Councilmember Michigan HRP Coordinator

Editor's Note: We're encouraged by Councilmember Jackson's report and stand properly corrected re: the "demise" of the Human Rights Party. We actually meant the political demise of the Ann Arbor branch of the HRP, and we share brother Jackson's analysis of its failure. Hopefully, the continued leadership of such HRP stalwarts as Zolton Ferency, Mr. Jackson, Harold Baize, and several others of their calibre will provide a strong basis for the future growth of the HRP. We also hope Mr. Jackson will accept our humblest apologies and our most fervent wishes for the future success of the Human Rights Party in Michigan.