Rev. Drake Full of Pride, Prejudice

* Re “Drake Bucking Court’s Order,” July 30:

It’s time the nation got a fuller picture of what’s going on in Buena Park.

Pastor Wiley Drake has successfully manipulated more than his 15-minute share of fame, painting himself as the savior of the downtrodden.

He has taken advantage of the fact that very few people have been watching the details of his maneuvering, the months of his wrangling with the city over the illegal encampment of homeless at his church. Nor have many people seen the diligent patience and accommodation that the city has afforded him in trying to work out a solution to a real community problem.

The homeless need and deserve help, and many (though not enough) people are to be commended for putting the basic needs of the homeless (food, clothing and shelter) first, ahead of political posturing.

Drake could continue to provide for his small flock of homeless at his church if he would just follow the guidelines that every other organized group of homeless advocates follow.

But no! Following the rules would mean that he would have to give up his power to impose his own personal religious theology on his somewhat captive audience. His power to preach is simply more important to him than providing what the homeless need, first and foremost. It’s Drake’s way, or no way.

The city leaders of Buena Park are not the bad guys in black hats. And Drake needs to be taken down from his high horse and forced to do right--put the needs of the homeless before his own pride.

BARBARA JACKSON

Buena Park

* The Rev. Wiley Drake would be a better Christian and human being if his compassion and charity toward the poor and homeless were extended to gays, against whom he led the recent Baptist church’s boycott against the Disney company for its gay-friendly actions.

ARNOLD SCHWAB

Westminster