Jul 3, 2008

Letters to the Editor

Daily News

Iraq

Dear Editor: I did a mental double-take when William Kristol equated the Iraq occupation with "keeping the wolves at bay" ("MoveOn.org takes a stand for selfishness," June 24). Do the neocons still expect us to believe that Saddam was a threat to the United States? Come on, most of us know our occupation is all about the oil - and no, I too don't want my son fighting a war to make Iraq safe for our oil companies.

Chris McKowen,

Palo Alto



Talking while driving

Dear Editor: Further to your June 17 story about the use of cell phones in cars, a recent study indicates the danger is not only using one hand to hold the phone but also in chatting because "the brain is less engaged in the task of driving" (Parade, June 15).

We see people trying to drive while dialing a telephone number (even without holding a speaker/receiver), while eating, when applying makeup or merely conversing with friends during and after taking children to school or going to work. Some drivers occasionally even use their knee to steer.

When there is an emergency or other logical reason to make a call while driving, we are told to stop the car off the roadway, make the call and then drive on. The same applies when a cell phone rings. Let's avoid accidents (even homicides) by taking a few minutes to communicate while stopped - away from driving areas.

Jerry Kelly,

Los Altos



Jose Lopez

Dear Editor: An article published June 25 begins: "A 25-year-old gang member who admitted to raping a heavily intoxicated 13-year-old girl is asking a San Mateo County Superior Court judge for a three-year sentence instead of six, based on his promise never to do it again." The case offers a glimpse into the criminal justice system in California. Be sure to report the sentence imposed on July 8.

As the article points out, the punishment for rape under California law is eight, six or three years in state prison. The middle term is imposed absent a showing of "mitigating" circumstances or "aggravating" circumstances.

This case against Jose Martin Lopez could have been charged as child molestation, which involves any kind of sexual contact with a person 13 or younger - even if the child "consents." It carries the same range of punishment as rape. Charged as child molestation, the forcible rape of the 13-year-old girl would qualify as an aggravated case justifying an eight-year prison term. For the same reason, the rape of a child is aggravated rape.

Gary Wesley,

Mountain View





Daily News cutbacks

Dear Editor: How sad that the Daily News is forced to drop some editions. The gathering and distribution of news is becoming an endangered species, which diminishes our democracy. It is time to regard the news media as a public trust, in the same way we think of education - only with more choices.

James O. Clifford Sr.,

Redwood City