Opinion
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- Written by: Jack Reilley
The opening sentence of Becky Curry's letter (Curry: Proposition 9 will make prison crisis worse) strongly indicates that she is writing for the Democrat Party. The comments are similar to those submitted by other Democrats to newspapers around the state.
First off, victims of violent crime represent all parts of California demographics. We are both sexes, gay, Democrat and Republican, poor to rich, union members to business tycoons.
No victim I know of was ever asked by the criminal if he or she was a Democrat or Republican. Victims are distressed that Proposition 9 is a political issue. We are bewildered why the Democrat Party fights against us. Why won't the Democrats join the honorable fight for victim rights? After all, we fought for civil rights, women's rights, children's rights, equal rights, environmental rights. Victim rights is one more honorable cause for Democrats. Victims represent a more broad-based group than any political party or opponent group against us. And we vote.
Proposition 8, passed 25 years ago, was a good start, but the rights are statutory, easily ignored by public officials, no consequences to them. Proposition 9 will enshrine victims' rights in the state constitution. Victims are tired of second class citizenship in the criminal process. We are the ones who suffered the crime with pain and financial loss, we have a stake in the resolution. We do not seek revenge or vengeance, we want equal standing and justice.
Did Ms. Curry talk to victims before writing her letter? We are not hard to find; there have been six million victims of violence since 1983. If she did, our stories would put Proposition 9 in context for her. She would understand our passion for equality ... and justice. And, Proposition 9 does not take away any of the accused's rights; that is not our purpose.
Victim opponents always put up the straw man argument about any anti-crime initiative victims put on the ballot: It costs too much. Really. Are they sure about that?
The claim that Proposition 9 will cost hundreds of millions of dollars is bogus. It is based on the Legislative Analyst's Office speculation that IF the legislature empties the prisons to balance the budget or appease a federal judge, then Proposition 9 would prevent this. This is a good thing. Who wants violent murderers, rapists, thugs and molesters released before serving the maximum time allowed?
There are other solutions to prison overcrowding than releasing violent prisons to create a crime wave in California. Emptying prisons is not a good idea.
Here is how it would work: prisoners released, huge cost to the parole system; two-thirds of violent prisoners are recidivist, back in prison within three years after committing one to 10 new crimes; new victims suffer incalculable cost-loss, more law enforcement cost in processing new crimes; finally, back in prison, more overcrowding. Solution – release another batch! This is nuts. Saving – where, to whom, when?
Opponents say that only the non-violent will be released? Is Ms. Curry aware that prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges plea bargain to lesser crimes? And without victim input or notice.
Parole: unrepentant criminals should not be given frequent parole when there is no chance they will be released. Parole hearings are a unique torture, worthy of the Inquisition, to victims: the mental and financial pain is enormous. Of course, the prisoners pay nothing. The parole changes put an end to the merry-go-round. By the way, several states are ending parole ... sounds good to me.
Finally, if cost is an issue, be prepared. Federal judges want to take billions of dollars for medical treatment of prisoners. They will have better health care than most victims, or the public, can afford. Criminals will be breaking into prison to get the care and operations they need, going to the head of the line for transplants, then getting early release. Impossible, you say? Impossible? Get ready.
Genelle and Jack Reilley live in Laguna Beach. Jack Reilley is chair of Friends of Marsy's Law – Vote YES on Proposition 9, www.friendsofmarsyslaw.org.
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- Written by: Lenny Matthews
Our dictionary defines separate but equal as a set phrase denoting the system of segregation that justifies giving different groups of people separate facilities or services with the declaration that the quality of each group's public facilities remain equal.
Our dictionary also defines second class citizen as an informal term used to describe a person who is systematically discriminated against within a state or other political jurisdiction, despite their nominal status as a citizen or legal resident there.
While not necessarily slaves, outlaws or criminals, second class citizens have limited legal rights, civil rights and economic opportunities, and are often subject to mistreatment or neglect at the hands of their putative superiors. Instead of being protected by the law, the law disregards a second class citizen, or it may actually be used to harass them.
Second class citizenry is generally regarded as a violation of human rights. Typical impediments facing second class citizens include, but are not limited to, disenfranchisement (a lack or loss of voting rights), limitations on civil or military service, as well as restrictions on language, religion, education, freedom of movement and association, weapons ownership, marriage, housing and property ownership. Governments will typically deny the existence of a second class within the polity. As an informal term, second class citizenship is not objectively measured.
I submit to you that homosexuals have been and continue to be treated in a separate but equal status as second class citizens.
As a lesbian, I’m over it!!
Lenny Matthews lives in Lucerne.
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- Written by: Tim Williams
Will my vote count? So often voters think it just won’t matter.
I’m a Democrat and an Obama supporter (since before the primaries) but the Hope or Dream he represents – whatever you want to call it – is still far off.
In order to "appear" to have legitimacy and attract essential, mainstream media coverage, candidates conform to a path that appears safe and pleasing to a majority of people, contributors, lobbyists ( not necessarily in that order). In trying to appeal to them all, our candidates end up preserving the status quo.
Hopefully, Obama will continue to offer real hope for change – but, that is not the candidate he appears to be right now. An essential improvement over a Bush or McCain presiduncy, yes, but he and both parties need to be reminded that we want real change. So ...
I encourage you to visit Ralph Nader's web site. www.votenader.com, listen to his interviews, read his message. If you like what you hear – help him, yourself and the country.
Nader would agree with me – we’re not going to "elect" Ralph Nader or risk a McCain win – it is about pulling the two party candidates towards representing the people, real issues and exposing the corrupt, corporate oligarchy that has entrenched our country in debt and looming failures.
I would ONLY vote for Nader in a "SAFE" state, such as California where McCain can’t win – although, given the state of recent affairs, I would warn that could change. I hope Dems and Nader voters will be honest when polled so we’ll know if there is real cause for concern.
Ron Paul supporters should check Nader out, too. Some will find a truer, more tested voice for many of your concerns as well and could make a real statement with your votes.
When you consider "left" or "right" think of a circle, where the "fringes" meet is where we find universal agreement on issues that are only given lip service by "centrists."
But no one has done more to protect the average citizen, the environment and fight corporate corruption than Ralph Nader, So give him a listen, then YOU decide if he is "fringe." See: www.votenader.org/blog/2008/10/04/nader-at-commonwealth-club.
Next cycle I hope we get more – lean, mean, green / Dem and Rep candidates on ballots in areas where two party dissatisfaction is highest. They might run as major party but with real principals and heavy Green/Peace and Freedom participation or as an alternative where there is no challenger from the major party opposition – gathering opposition votes and attracting defectors from the entrenched party. If successful, these representatives could form the core of a more powerful green caucus within the two parties, that transcends the two parties and exposes their corruption.
So, while we are offering our country HOPE with our support for Obama, consider supporting real change and ACTION with your vote for Nader/Gonzales!
This year, consider making YOUR VOTE COUNT – FOR A CHANGE!
Tim Williams lives in Clearlake.
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- Details
- Written by: Gloria Hovde
These are lies. Churches are NOT involved. The right for a person to marry the person he or she loves is a civil right currently guaranteed by California law. Proposition 8 seeks to eliminate this civil right.
Don’t believe these lies! Vote NO on this mean-spirited attack on California families.
Gloria Hovde lives in Lower Lake.
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