Letters

From Editor’s Mailbag Globe-Gazette
July 17, 2005

Have You Hugged Your Kids
By APRIL MOOREHEAD, Clear Lake

In light of the terrible tragedy surrounding Evelyn Miller, I just wanted to ask everyone out there: Have you hugged your child/children today. Have you told them you loved them? The events that took place earlier this month are proof that you don't have to live in a big city for terrible things to happen to you.

Our children are priceless, and in an instant they can be gone whether it be an illness, a car accident, abduction, whatever. No matter what your children do or have done, be sure they know you love them no matter what.

My sincerest sympathy to the Evelyn Miller family in your loss. May your beautiful angel watch over you always.

Death penalty justified
By JIM MEEKER, Westerly, R.I. (formerly of Mason City)

I feel the State of Iowa should reinstate the death penalty and make it retroactive so the proper punishment can be provided to whoever murdered the little girl from Floyd.How can anybody say that this would not be just punishment ?

Politicians just don't care
By JESSICA PETERSON TIERNEY, Sexual Assault Advocate, Crisis Intervention Service

There's been much discussion about "cracking down" on sex offenders lately due to the Jetseta Gage case and, more recently, the death of Evelyn Miller.

People are outraged, and rightfully so. What many don't realize is that politicians simply don't care about violence against women and children.

George W. Bush has submitted to Congress a budget that takes all Victims of Crime Act funding and appropriates it into the general fund instead.VOCA money comes from fines and penalties paid by criminals, and it should go back to their victims. If this budget passes and VOCA disappears, every domestic violence and sexual assault project in Iowa will close by 2007.

On June 27, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Castle Rock, Colo., vs. Gonzales that domestic violence victims do not have the right to have police enforce court-ordered restraining orders against their abusers. Despite the fact that Jessica Gonzales' abuser killed her three children with multiple gunshots to the head, the Supreme Court feels it's "unrealistic" for police to enforce every restraining order. Without police enforcement, a restraining order is worthless.

It's also interesting to note that this landmark case was almost entirely ignored by the media. Until society in general, and politicians in particular, start taking the reality of violence against women and children seriously, nothing will change.

It's easy to talk the talk, but if they aren't willing to put their money where their collective mouth is, the words are meaningless to victims