Racism has nothing to do with Renato Hughes case
I live in Connecticut, and read the article about Renato Hughes Jr. on the Internet today. I am sick and tired of hearing that every time a crime is committed by a black person, it is racist if they are charged.
These three men invaded a home, terrorized a family and had they not been stopped, may have killed innocent people. So what if the house they chose was in a predominately white area? Would it have made a difference if they chose a home in a black neighborhood? Poor things, they got a little more than they bargained for. This is why people are arming themselves.
I would think that the homeowner could also file charges for a racist crime. After all he is white, and the men who did this most likely picked his home because it contained the material things that they would rather take than earn. It”s time for the NAACP to wake up and realize how ridiculous they look defending each and every black person who murders, robs or sells drugs.
The time for Renato to make the right decision has passed. He chose to go with the two other men; he chose to terrorize these people, and because he decided to go, it resulted in two deaths. Fortunately, it was the two thugs instead of the family. I applaud the homeowner for his actions because I would have done the same thing.
The NAACP seems to defend any black criminal, regardless of the circumstances. The Jena Six have been treated as heros and superstars because of their criminal actions.
When a white commits a crime, such as the one here in Cheshire, where a mother and her two daughters were killed, and the father beaten and left to die, the white community is horrified.
We do not automatically call an organization en masse to protect, defend and rally around these murderous thugs. They deserve the death penalty, and if there is a law that can be used to convict Renato Hughes on these charges, he should get what he deserves.
Donna Fillie
Torrington, Conn.
Are you willing to fight for your beliefs/values?
Eric Habeggar, Lakeport (Observer*American, Nov. 14) took exception to my “Stop the Pink Spit” letter. Although you don”t know me, you called me names in your first paragraph! I said 75 percent of Democrats believe we need to win the war.You disagree. “Support the war” is your phrase, and you say nothing about why you feel 75 percent of Democrats want it lost.
Are you willing to fight for your beliefs/values, Mr. Habeggar? Your beliefs are unique to you, identify you. Are they worth fighting for? If so, you are an Army of One. When others are willing to fight for their beliefs, just like you, why is that wrong?
Consider that you are having to fight to protect what is of value to you. Your enemy is not interested in me at the moment, so I am not having to fight.
Scenario one: I give your foe water to drink and $5. Aren”t I compassionate? Scenario two: I watch. Then an individual with your core beliefs comes along. Scenario one: He doesn”t fight for what he believes in. Is he a hero for his choice? Scenario two: He joins you. He is wounded. It was for nothing. So I spit on him? Back to the top of the paragraph. So, you are not willing to fight for what you believe in. Why should I listen to anything you have to say?
What would make me join you in your battle, even though your beliefs are not my own? How about preserving the right to fight for what I hold dear? Soldiers fight for what they value, it is their right, and it is personal to each one. They also represent our National Identity. Seventy-five percent of Democrats choose to honor our national identity believing we need to win, and liberal spit isn”t floating their boat.
Bethany Baylor
Clearlake
Thugs should not claim racism in Hughes case
It”s a real shame that a criminal thug is allowed to claim racism as a defense for his violent attack on a family in the middle of the night. Bill Cosby is right. Too many people ? not just minorities ? don”t want to take responsibility for their own actions. Seems like it always has to be someone else”s fault.
Perhaps now would be a good time to start punishing criminals for their actions instead of dreaming up all sorts of goofy reasons to defend their anti-social behavior.
Renato Hughes is just one more example of the result of coddling aberrant behavior instead of punishing it. Allowing criminals to avoid punishment for their actions because they are minorities only serves to encourage more crime.
Steve Schmitt
Richardson, Texas
Jurors in Hughes case should see the real issue
It seems whether or not Renato Hughes would get a fair trial in this county has become the center of the case. Hopefully the jury of whatever town it is moved to does not lose sight the real issues. Americans have the right to be safe in their own home. Three individuals forcefully entered Mr. Edmonds” home and administered a near lethal beat down on a teenage boy. What person ? white, black, purple or green ? would not react and defend their family?
Jack Carter
Middletown
Edmonds deserves support for self defense
I was moved to write this open letter to Mr. Shannon Edmonds, and to let him know the common-sense citizens are with him. He did what needed to be done. I applaud him.
As far as the so-called victims, if one decides to place themselves in a position where they could be shot and killed, then one usually gets what one deserves.
Rev. Brown”s comment that “this man had no business killing these boys” is the usual comment of someone who was not there. What he fails to elaborate on is why these individuals were in this house uninvited anyway. Blacks will always play the race card when the situation demonstrates their failure to abide by the rules of society.
Mr. Edmonds, do not be fooled by that racist organization masquerading as the NAACP. Few logical-thinking people even respect them. We support you, Mr. Edmonds. It is your right to protect your family, your property and bear arms.
Donald Dougherty
Clearlake
Supporters should turn out on Kucinich”s route
Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich is coming to the North Coast (tentatively) on a Peace Train Whistle-stop Tour, Dec. 19 to 23. The current plan is for him to take Amtrak from Seattle to Sacramento and then, on Dec. 20, to ride to Ukiah by bus along State Route 20!
Nothing definite yet but it”s coming together. Wouldn”t it be great if we could get the bus to stop at the park in Lucerne for a few minutes and a few words from the only presidential candidate who is a real man of peace ? and probably the only one to drive through or stop in Lake County, ever?
So save the day! We want to have a good Lake County turnout to honor this man ? and thank him for his courage in standing for all that is important and valuable to us.
Shirley Howland
Clearlake
Did Hughes commit hate crime against family?
In the case of Renato Hughes, Jr. and his companions breaking into the home of Shannon Edmonds and brutally beating his stepson, a very important concept seems to be left out of the story. Didn”t Renato Hughes and his companions commit a hate crime against a white family, barging into their home, rampaging it, and permanently harming one of its occupants?
So, the question is, why isn”t he being charged for a hate crime as well? Just a thought from someone very far removed from the scene but also very objective. The charge of a hate crime must be fairly and equitably administered, shouldn”t it?
Helen Louise Herndon
St. Peters, MO
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Please help us spread the word. Be creative, live for others, serve as a bridge.
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Humanitarian Resource Institute
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The Clear Lake Observer*American welcomes letters responding to articles and opinions that have appeared in this newspaper, as well as on topics of general interest. Letters can be sent to letters@clearlakeobserver.com or mailed to PO Box 6200, Clearlake, CA 95422. Pleases include complete name, address and telephone number.
