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Letters to the Editor

Sen. Brown’s race-baiting unacceptable

Sheriff Andrea Cabral is the first African American sheriff in Suffolk County history, and is emerging as a powerful figure within the City of Boston and increasingly throughout the Commonwealth.

Her analysis in the Oct. 4 Bay State Banner Community Voices: “Really, Sen. Brown? Toma-hawk chops? War yells?” bears careful reading, as well as widespread circulation.

As President Barack Obama frequently says, we cannot go back to the earlier economic policies of the previous administration. Likewise, we cannot go back to the race-baiting days when a person’s skin color, alleged racial characteristics or other irrelevant factors were used to deny outstanding political candidates their rightful opportunities for election success.

John Tener
Via email

 

Not so fast

If you aren’t willing to follow the law yourself, then you can’t demand a role in making the law for everyone else, which is what you do when you vote (“Risk of disenfranchisement in states high for ex-felons,” Bay State Banner, Oct. 11, 2012). The right to vote can be restored to felons, but it should be done carefully, on a case-by-case basis after a person has shown that he or she has really turned over a new leaf, not automatically on the day someone walks out of prison.

Roger Clegg
Via email

Proper police training is a necessity

Police training is less about the facility than what goes on inside. (“Penny wise, pound foolish and no one the safer for it,” Bay State Banner, Oct. 11, 2012)

Are your new officers treated with dignity and respect in an “adult learning” atmosphere?

Great policing is accomplished by police who are well-trained and led, restrained in their use of force, honest and courteous to every person. That’s the bottom line.

Police Chief David Couper
Via email

 

Bruce Bolling’s passing a loss to the city

Bruce Bolling, the former president of the Boston City Council, was a true champion for the community, the small business entrepreneur, women and people of color. A great voice has been silenced too soon. May God continue to bless his family and may Bruce Rest in Peace.

Gail Jackson-Blount