Letters to the Editor

Bottom feeders in our legislature

The new habitual offender bill that just passed in the house (The Bay State Banner, Nov. 24, 2011) is yet another example of knee-jerk reaction by our bottom feeding politicians.

The vote in the house was along racial lines which indicates that the few black and latino representatives who cast no votes realize that this draconian law will disproportionately impact communities of color.

The white representatives know it too, but they see huge political currency in incarcerating people who don’t look like them. Three strikes laws and mandatory life sentences have not done a thing to reduce crime or recidivism in other states. They just serve to score political points for greedy, ambitious legislators and satisfy our warped society’s lust for revenge. Members of the Massachusetts’ House will inevitably inherit the human carnage this shameful bill will surely produce.

Voy Cooks
Via e-mail

Civic engagement

Glad to see the community coming out, voting and helping to maintain a more inclusive Boston City Council. But I am sad to see that Suzanne Lee in District 2 lost the election by a small, so small number of votes.

That to me, sadly, is a two steps forward and one step back. But there is always tomorrow — or maybe a recount.

H. Mclean
Via e-mail

“Politics of conviction”

Gov. Deval Patrick writes in the Dec. 1 issue of the Bay State Banner about “leading and governing from our values” and “making choices based on our values.”

In my work advising organizations on strengthening their cultures, I get deeply involved in “values” as a vital component of culture. I find it is necessary to spell out those values, in ways people can feel, then find concrete ways to root them in the organization.

We might all benefit if we learned from Gov. Patrick about the specific values he is following, then we can see if they fit the community, and figure out how to make them happen.

Don Carlson
Via e-mail

+ Add Comment

Dec 8 7:57am by mel kingstep [209.6.63.201]

I agree with the governors belief regarding the politics of conviction over convenience. Interesting because there is an issue that exemplified this very well

Conviction would mean in the instance of the Copley place extension that we would not allow the building of 318 units of segregated housing on public land. The developers have clearly indicated that they will not meet the original lease agreement for 25 percent affordability or the mayors mandate of 15 percent on site. Convenience is what the BRA. the state via the lease signed with The Department of Transportation under your leadership is acting on.

The Copley Neighbor have formed based on the conviction segregation is both a immoral and illegal.

We agree “with your statement “The affluent will continue to pursue their interests aggressively. The people have to stay involved if they are to have any chance at winning the battle.” Be assured we are informed and involved and will pursue the our conviction. I wrote the following about your inaugural as I listened to your acceptance speech.

"Notably, the most symbolic gesture was Patrick’s taking of his oath while placing his hand on the Mende Bible. The bible had been given to John Quincy Adams in appreciation for taking the cause of captive Africans recently arrived on the ship Amistad, having learned of their plight through a letter sent by one Kinte asking him to support their fight for freedom. Kinte and his African brothers and sisters refused to accept their lot and instead put their faith in a fellow human being by asking him to simply follow the law, adhere to his pledged oath, and to do the right thing. They believed in their convictions regardless of Quincy Adams’ skin color. Their unconquerable faith in due process triumphed, helping Kinte and his fellow captives win their appeal to freedom. Today, I believe we have witnessed a triumph too, that same faith in fellow human beings to do the right thing has helped the people of Massachusetts win too.

So we ask which side are you on Conviction or Convenience