The following letters were submitted to the Free Lance.
What about protection for other families?
Dear Editor,
I read the Free Lance opinion, Oct. 5, about our DA asking for special protection after his kid was involved in a fight that apparently resulted in not even a scratch. How about those whose kids really did get hurt, stabbed, shot or killed? What about our local police officers that live and work in Hollister? What about those families?
Sheriff deputies and police officers are threatened countless times during their work. When the citizens or police officers of the community are hurt or threatened, I don’t see Mr. DA going out of his way to give them special protection.
In fact, he has done nothing to give a single citizen or family special protection after they were victimized. What right does he have to say he is more important than the working dad or mom or son who has to go to school that has gang members?
Mr. DA, you put your pants on like everyone else, one leg at a time. It looks like you care only about yourself with little regard for the safety of peace officers or blue collar citizens. If you want special protection, go to the courthouse where you get it free of charge. He is called the bailiff. My son was the victim of a serious felony. I didn’t see you asking for special protection form my family.
Maribel Garcia, Hollister
Remember how they lived
Dear Editor,
Once again our community is reeling from the deaths of three Hollister youths.
This time though, the victims weren’t even out of junior high school. These kids made a poor choice, which they paid for with their lives. I am only 21 years old and I can think of nine of my peers that have died in recent years.
I think that our own mortality is something that has been put in front of our faces. I now realize that there are consequences for making a bad choice, but I didn’t think like that when I was 13.
While the way that these kids passed away sounds deviant, let us not forget the way that we thought when we were 13. I don’t care what they did, they did not deserve to die, as I have heard some people say. These kids by all accounts sound to have been good kids.
Now, I make a plea to the youth of Hollister: Think before you do anything behind the wheel of a car. The split second choice to speed, drink and drive, or pass on 25 has lasting effects.
To the families of the kids: You have my deepest condolences. I can not even begin to understand what you are going through. To the friends of the kids: I have some idea of what you are feeling. Remember the fun times that you had with your friends, don’t focus on how they died but focus on how they lived. Learn something from their deaths, and don’t repeat their fatal mistake. And to everyone, please be safe.
Melissa Guarino, Hollister
The DA does deserve protection
Dear Editor,
From the online version of the opinion page, I am unable to ascertain the name of the idiot who wrote the article regarding Sarsfield’s request for protection. Just because a person accepts a position in the public eye does not mean he or she is an open target for harassment or attack. Sarsfield, for better or worse, was voted into office by the majority of the registered voters in San Benito County, is serving in a public service position with very little personal benefit and is certainly entitled to protection for his safety and welfare and that of his children.
Personally, I would rather pay the taxes necessary to ensure the safety of the public servants representing me and their families, especially children and animals than have to bear the burden of guilt if something tragic happens. Mr. Sarsfield’s family has already had their pet killed, had their names maliciously maligned and been badgered enough.
If people are unhappy about the representatives they vote for and they do not want to take responsibility to protect them, then they need to either run for office themselves without the benefit of protection or keep their mouths shut (and pen caps tightened).
Colleen Eastman, Hollister
Good VP debate, the choice is clear
Dear Editor,
I would just like to say how pleased I was with the debate Tuesday night.
Both gentlemen spoke clearly and concisely, and I think they both were polite and respectful of each other – but I have to say I could relate the best to what Senator John Edwards had to say.
I feel confident that he and Kerry can do what needs to be done in Iraq – and just as importantly – I believe they have a better domestic plan than what we’ve had the last four years.
Bush and Cheney have already had four years to enact their ideas and plans, and instead, they have not only squandered away the entire amount of surplus that was Clinton’s legacy, but they have additionally put us $3 trillion back in debt!
So nothing they say at this point would make me believe that the next four years would be any different.
On the other hand, I believe that Kerry/Edwards have OUR best interests in mind, implementing changes like allowing us to purchase prescription drugs at lower prices from Canada – and in other ways ensuring that the middle class can afford healthcare once again!
And as I’m getting older, Medicare and Social Security are becoming more important to me, and I feel that Kerry and Edwards are much more likely to support and improve them – we’ve seen with our own eyes that the Bush/Cheney camp have failed miserably in this arena – and again, I don’t see any reason to think they’d do any different if they had four more years!
I am also very concerned about our children and the lack of education they are receiving – and I really liked Edwards statement that they will provide incentives to bring in the best teachers and improve the children’s educational experience – which will help them be better adults and encourage more children to stay in school and get a good education.
Many of our current teachers can’t even spell properly! How on earth can they teach children if they can’t even spell themselves? So providing incentives to bring in good teachers that do know how to spell properly is vital to our educational process.
After watching this debate, and the previous Presidential debate – in which Bush squirmed and stuttered and made faces and whined – while Kerry conducted himself with dignity and spoke strongly, with conviction and earnestly about his vision for our country – I am now more convinced than ever that the only way to go is to vote for Kerry/Edwards!
Shirley Marshall, Aromas
