Disappointed by SMOC

SMOC, what were you thinking? SMOC's suing citizens and local politicians because they are discussing their concern in a public forum is a huge mistake.

The average Framingham citizen should be disgusted by this lawsuit. I am a citizen of Framingham and have a background of volunteer work in similar programs that SMOC supports. I have been following the discussion between both sides in order to form my opinion and with this action by SMOC, my interest and support of SMOC programs for the time being, have ended. I am sure many other citizens and even some SMOC supporters are also disgusted and disappointed.

The 99-page court-filed document seems to me a way in trying to limit the pursuit of discussion. Also, this document must have taken hours and hours of legal preparation and cost quite a lot to be prepared, filed and potentially defended. Money well spent?

To me it may mean that the other state social service agencies may be assisting at some level, and that these agencies may have chosen Framingham as the primary battle ground to fight the issues that the citizens of Framingham (and maybe the state) have been trying to bring out for discussion.

ERNIE EDWARDS,
Framingham

Respect another's 'art'

This is concerning the recent articles about the body parts exhibit. Who decides what art is? As far as I am concerned each individual person decides for him/herself what is art.

I am not an art critic nor an art connoisseur. What I consider art are certain paintings, sculpture, beautiful hand-woven rugs, delicate wood carvings, etc. I am a person who likes my paintings to be reality based. Trees that look like trees, people who look real and scenes you can identify as mountains or lakes or the ocean.

I am not one who likes melting watches or abstract paintings. However, those who do like that type of art are entitled to their opinon and they have the right to talk about and collect this type of art.

What I conisder bizarre and definitely not art are things like the chololate Jesus and the photographs that came out a few years ago of a cross in a bottle of urine. What I consider interesting but again not art are things like the body parts exhibit.

Art is another area where people often cannot agree. Therefore each person should be able to have their own concept of art. We should be able to respect each other's ideas of what art is without demeaning the person, their opinion or the art they enjoy.

If you are freeked out by such exhibits as the body parts exhibit, just don't go. I assure you the more you and others complain the more people will go just to see what the fuss is about.

PATRICIA SMITH,
Framingham