Dear Editor,
Our sense of safety and security was shattered this week. The
sexual assault of a woman, who was rightfully taking an early
morning jog, was a brutal attack on an individual. And, the affect
from it ripples out through our entire community. We hesitate to go
out alone. We look over our shoulders more frequently. We keep our
children closer to home.
These are all good and smart ideas.
Rape of early morning jogger a shocking reminder to all of us
Dear Editor,
Our sense of safety and security was shattered this week. The sexual assault of a woman, who was rightfully taking an early morning jog, was a brutal attack on an individual. And, the affect from it ripples out through our entire community. We hesitate to go out alone. We look over our shoulders more frequently. We keep our children closer to home.
These are all good and smart ideas.
Aside from being aware of our surroundings, there are additional steps we can take to decrease our vulnerabilities: jogging or walking with others when possible, varying our routes and routines when practical, listening to our gut instincts when we feel uneasy or unsafe.
This is also a time to remember that, though strangers can pose serious threats, the majority of sexual assaults occur between people who know each other. They, too, are frightening and their impact is devastating. Being aware of our situations and surroundings is a constant effort.
By practicing safety precautions, we can try to prevent such a tragedy from happening to ourselves or our loved ones. However, the ability to stop a sexual assault lies solely in the hands of those who commit these heinous crimes; they are the ones who take full and complete blame for its occurrence.
Recovering from a sexual assault is a long and difficult process, one that nobody should walk through alone. If you or someone you know has been victimized by sexual assault – recently or sometime in the past – assistance is just a phone call away. Our 24-hour confidential crisis line is available every day of the year – 877-END-SADV (877-363-7238). Additionally, you can call (408) 776-6204 if you are interested in one of our upcoming self-defense classes.
Most of all remember, though you were a victim at one point, you survived. You are a survivor. That is the most important thing of all.
Lisa DeSilva, director of development, Community Solutions
‘Control freaks’ should back off on the marijuana dispensary issue
Dear Editor,
I am wondering if Ron Kirkish has taken up the pen name Janelle Lowry (letters, Dec 14). If not, this name can be added to the regrettably long list of the local control freaks who wish to protect us from ourselves.
This time the excuse is, “the pain of lives destroyed by drug abuse and addiction,” lumping marijuana in with highly addictive substances like methamphetamine. I’m sure the same line was used to advocate the failure known as prohibition, which targeted something more harmful than marijuana.
Also stated is, “When a dispensary is allowed to operate it sends a very clear message that … we support and approve of its use.” Guess what, Janelle: We the voters of California approved said use! Vox populi, vox Dei.
We the voters need to distinguish between (1) violent crimes with victims, (2) non-violent crimes with victims, and (3) non-violent victimless crimes (like smoking pot). Prisons (and capital punishment) are for the first group. Rehabilitation and truly corrective programs, such as probation and repayment, are for the second group.
The third group are merely victims of society’s holier-than-thou finger-pointers – the “there ought to be a law” bunch – the complainers, the whiners, the hypocrites whose “standards” are morally superior to ours. This infection isn’t limited to the lies and propaganda resembling the temperance movement; locally, such freaks wish to ban fireworks and guard dogs, and statewide, recently enacted a law against buying ammunition online. Their kind refuse to accept the fact that we do not have the resources to enforce so many such laws. The United States tops the world’s chart at a 0.756 percent incarceration rate! California as a microcosm suggests it is not mere coincidence that we’re also the top debtor nation and state, respectively.
The enforcement is then either selective (discrimination) or non-existent, which then causes the erosion of respect for the entire system, especially those who enforce all these laws. Doubt it? Look what recently happened in Seattle. Nationally, we’re increasing the number of home-grown terrorists. The Establishment remedy will surely be, pass more laws. (An example of insanity, and the Establishment, is doing the same thing and expecting a different result.)
A ballot measure to legalize marijuana now has enough signatures to make the 2010 ballot. Vote for it and rub it in the faces of Kirkish and Lowry. Let’s take our country back.
Alan Viarengo, Gilroy
Money for war, money for bailouts, but no money for health care …?
Dear Editor,
Even though health care reform will actually save money, all I hear out of the news media is that we don’t have enough money for health care. Not true!
What we have enough money for is the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. What we have enough money for tax cuts for the rich. We have enough money for bank and insurance company bailouts. We have enough money for tax credits for big oil. We have enough money to give away trillions to the super rich, but we don’t have enough money for health care?
Give me a break!
Marc Perkel, Gilroy
