22898: LScottPht: Re: 22896: Justins: Re: 22857: LScottPht: Re: 22856: radtimes: Human Ri... (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: LScottPht@aol.com

Justin-
OK, first of all, where in my note does it say that I am calling you a liar?
I believe you are writing about what people are telling you and you believe it
to be true. You ask me about how do I know the people are telling me the
truth? Well, how do you? Also, the people I interviewed were interviewed before I
was living with the rebels and afterwards and some during. They did not know
that I was living with the rebels and these people were in PAP, Hinche, and Les
Cayes, as well. Some of them were Americans and Canadians who had been living
in Haiti anywhere from 5-30 years. They didn't care what side they thought I
was on, and I was neutral anyway. They also didn't know I had lived with the
rebels. Some of them, I interviewed back in October before I even met the
rebels (the Americans and Canadians). The Haitians refused to talk about the
political things in PAP back in October. They were too afraid to, and that is the
truth. Also, Kevin Pina wrote to me. He sent me 3 different emails and if you
don't believe me, I will be happy to send you a copy of them. I have saved them
in case there is a problem. By the way, how do you know about this? And, if I
was in the Cassey Auguste incident, I really don't care what people are
telling you. I was there. I know what went down. Now, perhaps it is not the same
incident, but it sure sounds as if it is. Oh, and by the way, if T-Wil wasn't
being threatened again by Aristide, why was he crying to me 3 nights in a row. He
is scared for his life. Also, you can't tell me I didn't see him cry when he
was talking about having shot a policeman. Why do you think he would turn down
$100,000 from Aristide and a new car? You think he would do this because he
wants to be a rebel and go around and kill people and not have any money to his
name? No! He did it because of the things that have been done to him and his
family and the people in Gonaives. Now, you think that I am naive, and perhaps
I am, but you are also writing about the rebels and when is the last time you
actually got to know them? You are writing about people you don't know, as
well. I am sure you are a very good writer and you base things on facts, but
again, your facts are also coming from one side like you claim mine are. I think
that people need to start getting to know people on both sides and see where
they are coming from and maybe things might get better. Also, the reason you
cannot use my picture is because I am under an exclusive contract and I also
don't want my photo to be used for your truth when I saw things differently. If I
was indeed there, and things went down the way you say they did, I would be
more than happy to give you use of the picture, but again, it is under contract
with an agency. I'm sorry, but at some point I do need to start selling my
photos. I am completely self-funded and have given away all of my photos from
Haiti so far. So, no. I do not make money off of my photos yet. I'm too busy
giving them away, but I will start selling some of them soon. I simply have to
make a living. And, Kevin Pina is also a journalist, I thought. Isn't he
supposed to be neutral? Should he be so horrible in his words to me? Should he say,
and I quote, "I won't rest until I connect you with your handler"? I mean
really, doesn't he have something better to do with his time than go after another
journalist (and actually, I am more of a documentary photographer). He also
said stuff like, "I know where you live". OK, so, again, does it really make
sense that you should be going after me, especially if you guys think I am naive
and don't know anything anyway. As I said, I will be happy to report things
from the other side, as well. Right now, I am working to help a school in Cite
Soleil which is primarily a pro-Aristide area. Perhaps you guys should start
hearing from the other side like I am willing to do, especially since you are
journalists. Just a thought.

Leslie Spurlock
<A HREF="http://www.pbase.com/lscottpht/haiti";>PBase (Haiti Images)</A>
<A HREF="http://americanphotojournalist.com/member.php?user=lscotthpht";>
American Photojournalist</A>
<A HREF="http://www.lesliescottphotography.com";>Leslie Scott Photography</A>
214-361-5152
888-381-0854