Letters for May 30, 2002

Good cop, bad cop

Re “Never Trust a Man In Uniform” by R.V. Scheide (SN&R Essay, May 16):

In his article, Scheide suggests that parents should teach their children not to trust police officers, as to do so would be a huge mistake. Individual officers and even entire organizations have been known to abuse their power or fall prey to corruption. Not many will dispute that. Some cops are pretty good guys, a huge number are macho assholes, and many, too many, are sadistic thugs who, but for the badge, would probably be in prison for their crimes.

I don’t really trust cops either. I don’t trust the justice system to work justly 100 percent of the time. And I don’t trust the motivations of the people who make our laws. But I came by my disillusionment on my own, through things I experienced myself or information I found on my own. My parents taught me, as I’m sure most children are taught, to go to the police if I was lost, if I or someone I knew was in danger, and to trust them to help me if I needed help.

Scheide states in his article: “The child assumes the man … in … police garb, is not a threat. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, this assumption is correct.” I’d entertain the idea that much more than 1 percent of our police pose a potential threat. But even if it’s 5 or 6 percent, is that enough to justify what Scheide is suggesting? Our attention should be focused on punishing those cops who do commit horrible crimes or abuse their power (and those who cover it up), not undermining the ability of honest ones to help people in need.

(Name withheld on request)
Sacramento

If you want the right man for a job, hire a woman

Re “Never Trust a Man in Uniform” by R.V. Scheide (SN&R Essay, May 16):

First of all, I am deeply troubled that a fellow peace officer (Rosen) would sully the image of our police department by abusing his authority in the way that he allegedly has.

Very occasionally, a case of a man in uniform abusing his authority makes the headlines. Luckily for the rest of us, these occasions are so rare that they make the front pages. Peace officers undergo a very rigorous background check and a psychological exam that should unearth any quirks the candidate might have. Aside from the screening process, there is one way to make sure no rapists or brutes are walking around in uniform … hire more women. In my 25 years as a peace officer I have never heard of excessive force or sexual victimization by a woman officer.

Carol McElheney
Park Ranger-Peace Officer
via e-mail

Euro power

Re “Legacy of Controversy” by Robert Cabiness Jr. (SN&R News, May 16):

In view of the leftist consensus against “hate speech,” I would think that the News & Review would repudiate any and all appeals to racial hatred. However, in this current SN&R puff piece, this quote from Cruz Reynoso goes without comment: “Anglos will be in the minority soon,” Reynoso warns. “So if they don’t want Mexican-Americans to mistreat them once we come to power, they should seriously think about that.”

Reynoso reveals here both a propensity to spew racial slurs and to threaten the freedom and safety of European-Americans. This same man, as a state Supreme Court judge, was recalled and repudiated by California voters for both his hatred of crime victims and support for their murderers and rapists. Even this article admits that Reynoso nullified the death penalty in 58 of 61 cases. However, Reynoso claims he favors the enforcement of a constitutional death penalty.

What, then, has this ex-judge done to secure such a penalty? Nothing, of course, for the neo-communist Reynoso would rather advance a hate-driven Mexican agenda above all else. With President Bush promoting amnesty for millions of illegal Mexican aliens, Reynoso no doubt feels he can promote racial warfare without fear of prosecution or censure.

Well, as an alumnus of UC Davis (where Reynoso teaches) and a conscientious American, I do not hesitate to repudiate this sorry man and his twisted politics. If I must thank Reynoso for anything, it’s that the excesses of his pro-alien movement have motivated European-Americans to preserve their freedom and heritage, employing all lawful and peaceable means at our disposal.

And we shall prevail. Gracias, Cruz.

Stephen DeLany
Citrus Heights

Just say yes, to better information

Re “Drugs and Death” by Katje Sabin (SN&R News, May 16):

I would like to thank the SN&R for running this article. Too many in the media are quick to label a death involving Ecstasy as an “overdose,” when in reality most Ecstasy-related deaths are due to circumstances that were stated in the article, including dehydration and drug/alcohol interaction.

I am glad someone finally brought up these points rather than just resort to the current message that “Drugs = Death.” Just like some teens and young adults will continue to have sex, some will also continue to use drugs. Many teachers and officials have realized that preaching only abstinence is not only highly ineffective, but also dangerous. In the same vein, teaching only that drugs kill is just as harmful. If more accurate information is made available on the effects of Ecstasy (good and bad) as well as the danger signs, hopefully further deaths can be prevented.

Angel Gamboa
Sacramento

You’re in or out, man

Re “Confessions of an Undercover Kings fan” by Donnell Alexander (SN&R Essay, May 23):

Don’t insult us true Kings fans with this undercover Kings fan bullshit, Donnell. A true Kings fan has no love for the Lakers and doesn’t hide his love for the Kings. You talk as if the Kings are your dirty little secret, your mistress who you refuse to be seen in public with, reserved for late-night motel close encounters. There are plenty of Kings fans who are proud to show it. There is no “Veiled Laker hating” here. Our hating is undisguised, unabashed, tell-the-whole-world hating.

This may shock you, but Sacramentans love Sacramento. We don’t want to live in Los Angeles (I would rather go to hell), and we don’t want your approval. Don’t patronize us. We don’t care that a Lakers fan secretly is rooting for us. We don’t care that “we’re like cocktail wieners” to Angelenos. The Kings are the better team; it is that simple. You can say that you respect them, you can say that you fear them, but say that you are a Kings fan, undercover or not, you can’t do. There is no indecision here. I want to see the spoiled brat Lakers lose to the Kings, and I want to laugh when L.A. goes up in flames as a result.

Kevin Bowman
via e-mail

Contempt? She works hard for the money

Re Kloss cartoon (SN&R May 23):

Kloss’ cheap shot at Sacramento’s Mayor Heather Fargo says more about your paper than about the mayor. And it’s even less flattering. One might expect that the political cartoonist would reflect editorial opinion on the issue of enabling our elected to work full time for us.

Making municipal policy has not been getting simpler as the years roll by. The issue deserves discussion in that light. For SN&R to have nothing to say but a cartoon treating the mayor with contempt, disses your paper far more than the mayor.

Brooks Truitt
Sacramento

Options to war

Re “15 Minutes” (SN&R Columns, May 16):

I was deeply moved by the interview with Derrill Bodley. His message has the ring of truth: if we are to survive in the post-September 11 world, we must transcend vengeance, violence and self-righteousness.

Many thanks to Mr. Bodley for attesting to the other options, and for sharing his hard-earned wisdom and peace.

Michael Doughton
Sacramento