NAACP has it wrong on Renato Hughes case
I am far removed from this case, living in Arizona. Nevertheless, I am compelled to write about the audacity of the NAACP to condemn the homeowner for his actions. Was this not a hate crime against a white family? I think so under most state laws. Why is it no one stands up for this family and the son who was brutally beaten?
The NAACP is an organization that has no conscience about right or wrong. It is simply black and white issues to them. As such, I have no confidence or respect for this biased group of people. It is time for good citizens of any color, to take a stand against this racist organization and condemn them for their actions and ill will toward good people. They have no standing in our communities.
Russ Collins
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Change of route for Kucinich”s travel plans
I”m sorry about the change of plans regarding the appearance in Lake County of Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich and his wife: “Supporters should turn out on Kucinich”s route,” Observer*American, Nov. 28. The original plan, to take Amtrak”s Peace Train from Seattle to San Diego included a bus connection between Sacramento and Ukiah along Highway 20. However plans were changed on Nov. 29, and it was decided that the trip would be much faster and more restful for the busy candidate to fly into Santa Rosa, then bus to Ukiah for his speaking engagement there.
We will be arranging car pools over to Ukiah to hear Dennis speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, in the Mendocino College gym. His speeches are always exciting to hear in person, and well worth the trip. If you wish to take part in the car pool, either as a passenger or driver, please contact me, Shirley Howland, 995-3447. It is also possible, on Dec. 21 to 23, to ride the Peace Train with them, from Oakland to San Diego or shorter segments.
Shirley Howland
Clearlake
NAACP allegations differ from published accounts
On Friday, Nov. 16, on the Gil Gross program on KGO-AM 810, I heard a man from the NAACP referring to the two people killed by Shannon Edmonds as “unarmed children.” He also referred to the incident as a “drug deal gone wrong.”
Both of these statements are untrue, at least according to published accounts. All three of the perpetrators were adults 21 years and older and the two deceased were armed with a shotgun and a baseball bat. It is my understanding of the facts of the case that Edmonds was awakened at around 4 a.m. when he was hit in the face with a shotgun butt while lying in his bed. What sort of “drug deal” starts in that manner?
Additionally, it is alleged that Edmonds” female companion was beaten by none other than Renato Hughes and that her son (a minor child) was beaten to the point of permanent brain damage by one of the others.
It appears that Hughes” best interests are not being well served by his legal defense. From what I have been able to ascertain from the news media, there has been no attempt by the defense to bargain a plea. Perhaps if the defense were willing to make an admission of at least some measure of responsibility in the death of the other two men or for the home invasion, assault and attempted robbery of the Edmonds household, the prosecution might consider a reduced charge.
The defense apparently places its hopes entirely on getting a jury willing to believe that this is a racist prosecution of an innocent man. Should it fail to get such a jury, Hughes may well go down for first-degree murder.
Wellman Moody
Clearlake
Cougar near Clearlake surprises truck driver
Last night around 6:15 p.m. while heading west on State Route 53 toward the town of Clearlake from State Route 20, my wife and I were startled big time when a huge cougar ran out from the bushes in front of our truck. I was going 55 miles per hour in cruise control about 200 yards or so before the Olympic Drive exit, and I almost broadsided it.
I tried to avoid hitting it as best I could by veering off to the right without running us off the road, but I may have inadvertently just clipped its hind legs as we both felt a small thump as it passed our truck from the passenger side to the driver”s side. I immediately hung a U-turn to go back and check to see if it was lying on the side of the road. But since it was dark, I wasn”t getting out of the truck to go looking for it.
So, it either got lucky and just missed being killed, or it still may be still lying wounded on the north side of State Route 53. My wife had no idea there were cougars that close to houses and people, as we were not far from the town of Clearlake itself and just minutes away from Lakeshore Drive, the main road heading into town. I”m sure if most parents of that area saw the size of this cat, their kids and pets would not be allowed out after the sun went down.
Daryl C. Carter
Clearlake
?Socialism” brought us the eight-hour work day
In response to Nathan Tabor”s comments recently (Observer*American, Nov. 21), may I take exception. “Socialism!” That word! Scares people!
It was socialism that brought us the eight-hour working day, the five-day work week, worker”s comp, old-age security, aid for widows and orphans, child labor laws, job safety and the list goes on.
So where did it start? Prinz Otto von Bismarck, the Iron Chancellor of Germany in the 1870s had the first such laws passed.
Unchecked capitalism bought us Robber Barons and some very ugly times in the U.S. Who stepped forward in this country? President Teddy Roosevelt, known for his trust busting, pure food and drug laws plus concern for the environment. Oh yes, he was a Republican.
To the other questions you raise, Mr. Tabor. Choose a doctor? Have you tried recently? Prompt attention? Really? Where?
Costs for health insurance? What does the Iraq War cost?
Run-away government spending? That one. Tax-and-spend Democrats? Bill Clinton had a surplus. Remember that? Took in more money than was spent. But you compassionate conservative gave lovely tax breaks to his rich friends and great contracts to his buddies. And have run this country into massive debts.
Heaven forbid that the government should have any say in health costs. Why, better let the insurance companies do what they are doing. Looking at the bottom line and they are doing that quite well, thank you.
We can rebuild a great nation but we need strong, healthy, well-educated citizens and that starts in childhood.
Hammurabi, ca 3,000 years ago had a code of laws stating justice for all citizens, care for the less fortunate. Maybe he was a socialist.
Madeline Hartmann
Clearlake
Lake County”s tolerance reflects value of equality
In 1987, a gay establishment in Lake County was burned, almost sure case of arson; the gay owner was threatened and ordered to leave Lake County. Does intolerance, hatred and bigotry still reign in this rural community? In the intervening years, gay citizens have relocated to our beautiful community and have become your next-door neighbors, community activists and volunteers on many community boards and appeared to have been at least tolerated.
As the newly-elected president to the newly formed Lake County Democratic Stonewall club, I am pleased and pleasantly surprised at the acceptance and understanding of the citizens of Lake County and applaud them as truly representing American values of fairness and equality And I wish to reassure that we, the gay community, have no special agenda to promote, but desire only to be productive citizens contributing in every way we can to our mutual beautiful county.
Those of you who object to our lifestyle are not obliged in any way to approve, only recognize our inherent rights as American citizens with every privilege and benefits that you now enjoy and take for granted. We have fought unwanted and unappreciated in all your wars fighting for freedom that was denied us. We have composed some of your most beautiful love songs although the gender was coded. Our poets ,playwrights and novelists have written some of the most important works, the absence of which would strip bare some theaters and libraries.
We will no longer beg nor plead; we are here to stay and only ask what our Constitution and Declaration of Independence promises each man (and hopefully woman) freedom and the pursuit of happiness. Thank you to everyone who has called, sent letters and congratulated us on our new club. Good wishes and holiday greetings from the Lake County Democratic Stonewall Club.
Harold Riley, chairperson
Lake County Democratic Stonewall Club
Don”t forget to write!
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.
