People Need to Demand That the Law Protects Everyone From Violence
We read "Price of Admission" and "Fear on Patrol" by Tim Vanderpool (Currents, June 5 and June 12) with a sense of déjà vu and frustration. The Pima County Battered Immigrant Women's Taskforce has been active for years working to prevent the victimization of immigrants. Most of these victims do not have faith that they can go to law enforcement. The reason for that reluctance is outlined in the articles: The Border Patrol does little to help or assess if victims have been raped. Even if the Border Patrol determines someone has been raped, they deport victims so quickly that no criminal prosecution can be made.We are frustrated. The immigration laws are clear--victims of crime can be allowed to stay in the country to assist in the prosecution of their abusers. There seems to be no political will for this to happen, however.
What people fail to understand is that protecting border-crossers from violent abuse protects us all. No one should be naïve enough to think that the people who rape women in the desert limit their criminality to immigrants. These abusers choose to hurt those with less power--if immigrants are not available, they will attack people in remote rural areas, or women waiting for the bus; they are abusers of opportunity. Do not think for one second this is only about border-crossers; it is about us all. Put pressure on state and federal law enforcement to protect them, and protect us all, from violence.
Montserrat Caballero, Task force coordinator, Su Voz Vale program director, SACASA
And nine other members of the Pima County Battered Immigrant Women's Taskforce
Have You Tried Looking Them Up in the Phone Book?
As usual, Jim Hightower's article ("Wrecking the Airline Industry," June 19) was thoughtful and provocative, but it left me with a tremendous feeling of inadequacy. All of what he said is true, and we've heard/read it many times: Company cuts costs; company lays off hundreds or thousands of employees; prices on goods go up while quality goes down; the public is screwed again. Yet the CEO walks away with salary and perk increases, regardless of whether the company succeeds or goes under. Top salaries should always become a part of any news story about employees being laid off, to help make the public aware of the discrepancies in wages.Beyond this small suggestion, to whom can I write to protest this abominable greed? Seems to me that the CEOs are certainly responsible, but what about the boards that approve their salaries/incentives? How does one reach, them? Jim, you've stated what we all know and have increased my frustration, but what can I and others do?
Allen J. Pastryk
Bee Isn't a Moderate; He's a Bigot!
More than once now, the Tucson Weekly has referred to Tim Bee as a "moderate" Republican. Apparently you are buying his campaign rhetoric.Let us not forget that Tim Bee is the originator and prime sponsor of the anti-gay-marriage legislation which seeks a constitutional amendment banning all same-sex marriages. Pushing for constitutional amendments to ban gay marriage is not a "moderate" position by any stretch of the imagination.
It seems clear that Bee's bigot bill identifies him as an extremist even among conservatives. Anyone today who seeks to use constitutional authority to permanently lockout any law-abiding group of people from full rights and participation in our society is simply a bigot. There can be no conceivable gain from such an amendment; indeed, it sets a precedent for using the power of the Constitution to legally exclude those we disagree with or just don't like.
Robert Van Arsdale
Greyhounds Are Wonderful Creatures Who Deserve Better Environments
As a volunteer with a local greyhound-rescue group, I applaud your comprehensive article in the recent Tucson Weekly concerning the plight of racing greyhounds ("Dog Days No More?" June 19). While I see firsthand the beauty of these sensitive, gentle creatures, many people have never had an opportunity to be personal with this wonderful breed.Greyhounds have been around for more than 4,000 years and held high status in a family household because of their keen eyesight and powerful hunting skills. Now they are reduced to a commodity to make money for their owners. Once younger and faster dogs snatch the winning purse, a greyhound is no longer an asset to the racing industry, but a liability to be left in a cage 22 hours a day and fed substandard food.
Since April 2006, I have fostered more than 20 greyhounds straight from the track. These dogs have never been inside of a home, have never met other breeds, and have no clue about stairs, slippery tile floors, arcadia doors and that drinking out of the toilet may not be the best decision. Fostering has been an amazing experience. I've only had to return one dog to the kennel, because although he learned immediately to use the doggie door, he didn't get it that he had to do his business outside. The rest of my foster dogs figured out the first night where to do their business, and have not soiled my home, chewed my furniture or fought with my other two smaller dogs. The only damage that I've experienced to date was a chewed TV remote and a thoroughly pruned gardenia bush on my patio. Once I had a little chat with both dogs, and upgraded my doggie-proofing effort, the problems were resolved!
Greyhounds are extremely smart and, given the chance, make great family companions. Fostering allows them to be trained to live in a home and makes the transition to a permanent home much easier on the adopter and the dog. I can't wait until I retire in August 2009 so that I can provide an even better environment in which to foster many more retired racing greyhounds.
Let's hope your article raises the awareness of the South Tucson voters, many of whom I'm convinced have heart and compassion and will understand the dire need to pass the amendment to the city code to improve the lives of all animals under human custody and control.
Glenda Taylor
Corrections
In "A Dog's Life" (Currents, July 3), we reported that Judge Michael Miller granted a Tucson Greyhound Park request for a temporary restraining order against Karyn Zoldan. That is not correct; the restraining order was actually denied, by Judge Charles Harrington. (Judge Michael Miller recused himself from the case early on.) At this point, no judge has ordered Zoldan to remove anything from endtucsongreyhoundracing.com.Also in "A Dog's Life," attorney Chris Wencker was quoted as saying that Munger Chadwick (P.L.C.) had "no less than five attorneys" on the Zoldan case. Wencker actually made that statement, but he now says that four attorneys from Munger Chadwick (P.L.C.) are actually assigned.
In "Summer Adjustments at the Star" (Media Watch, July 3), based on incorrect information from a source, we erroneously reported that Rob O'Dell was on unpaid leave through the summer; he's actually on the job.
We apologize for the errors.
