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Show A6 Tuesday, October 19, 1993 DAVIS COUNTY CLIPPER Opinion In Our Opinion WNTUKfcN Oil?. FIRST fORUCM Today's Editorial foW mowTV Fram.WHereiYou.Stand 15 To PEXEfUAitte TO DO A&0UT We'd like to hear from you. What is YOUR opinion? ViAm Mail your comments to: 1370 So. 500 W. Bountiful, Utah 84010 Clipper Publishing Don't criticize Clinton's plan, he doesn't have one The government needs to clearly define "national e that has been bandied about for security" a years. No one knows what it means, but Clinton is willing to send troops to Haiti to secure it. A layman's interpretation of the term would not support a Haitian war. A layman's interpretation would not support spilling American blood for anything other than saving the nation from destruction. How can Haiti hurt America? And is that the question that should be asked when American soldiers are asked to put their lives on the line? Isn't protecting national security protecting American citizens from invasion. Isn't it protecting small allied countries which serve as buffers against our enemies? The problem is that the term has not been clearly defined. Just as Congress rebelled when Clinton's administration did not clearly define the goals in Somalia, members have rebelled since Clinton has not ruled out the possibility of military intervention in Haiti. We have a right to know. Our elected officials have the right to know the game plan. Clinton and his trusted advisors need to step out of the spotlight, forget the goal of saying politically correct things and delay action until a clear plan of attack has been outlined. Let's not rush in where angels fear to tread. While the political experts meet to discuss a plan of action, they should remember there are bigger problems facing America than Haiti. catch-phras- Leavitt's gang plan lacks drill sergeant The problem is quite clear. Just look at last weekend's police blotter. Two juvenile attackers held a old knife to the throat of a Salt Lake woman and attempted to old Utah rape her.. .A teenager, recently released from a juvenile detention center, aimed his shotgun and blasted windows, doors and walls at four Ogden homes...A Layton boy remains paralyzed after d a beating... 50-ye- ar 17-ye- ar gang-relate- And it's not just gangs! A junior high school student in Salt Lake told a friend this weekend that his pal had an "ugly dog." Rover didn't seem to mind, but the "friend" did. He stabbed the junior high boy with a kitchen knife. Okay, so we have a problem...and sending the kids to the library won't solve it. So Gov. Gang members should be killed not jailed Who's going to answer these questions? Clinton is being criticized for his plan. How can there be criticism of something that doesnt exist. We cannot create a plan when the goal is obscured by political maneuvering. Clinton must stop worrying about how his speech will play and whether or not it will seal his popularity with the people. Where's Hillary when you need her? semi-weekl- y 1892-195- 4 To the Lawmakers: I have become increasingly alarmed and scared about the by Clipper Publishing Co., Inc. 9 John Stable, Jr. publisher 1954-198- R. Gall Stahle publisher Judy Jensen managing editor 1370 South 500 West, Bountiful, Utah 84010 1990-prese- ISSN: 1061-122- J No. 3 semi-weekl- 149-180- to P.O. Box 267, Bountiful, Utah 84011-026Subscription rate: 50c per copy. $20.00 per year, Mailed: $30.00 per year. Hand-delivere- News Advertising Circulation Classified 295-225- 1 292-205- 8 292-202- 2 FAX 295-304- 4 Office Hours: 8 DEADLINES 30-- 5 30 Mon. thru Fri. 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On the 10 o'clock news on September 15 or 16, 1 watched KSL TV when they interviewed some juveniles about the proposed y on ) (USPS published Tuesday and Friday except the week of Christmas and New Years at Bountiful, Utah. Second class postage paid at Bountiful, Utah. Address all correspondence Publication Ulah 8401 1 0267 fashioned hillbilly can get a young man's attention a lot faster than an educated guidance counselor. Under the Cyclops plan, a young mugger be would greeted immediately by an Alabama drill sergeant, someone who looks like John Kruk and speaks exclusively in words. The Alabama drill sergeant would wake the kid up at 5 a.m. in the morning and offer the following scowling instructions: "Ah'm not yo mutha... two-syllab- le "Ah'm i not yo fatha... "Ah'm not yo friend. Fact is. Ah don't much like ya. "Now git yo raggy butt outa bed and we'll git started. This is a hoe. Ya got some weedin to do before ya git yo com flakes." An Alabama drill sergeant would be a new experience for the juvenile offender. An Alabama drill sergeant would not hold counseling sessions and inquire about the boy's dysfunctional family life. An Alabama drill sergeant would not ask if the boy feels a lack of selfesteem. An Alabama drill sergeant would not ask questions about the boy's career goals or whether the kid was sober when he got his tattoo. I can guarantee you that after one week of being supervised by an Alabama drill sergeant the young felon would have a new perspective on life. Juvenile offenders are used to getting home at 5 a.m., not being roused by a lurking hulk with an alien vocabulary and a poorly-hone- d sense of humor. Oh, at first the young man might revert back to his traditional lingo. "How you doin', brother?" the ; young man might ask: J But the reply would be surly and i""J convincing. "Ah'm not yo brutha.Ah'm y6' soopervisa. Ah don't like it when ya smile. Fact is, when yo awake, Ah don't much like ya at all." ( Considering the high unemployment rate in the Deep South, I'm sure Gov. Leavitt would have no trouble recruiting a few Alabama drill sergeants. They might have some difficulty filling out the state employment form. But put them in a juvenile work camp facility and they'll communicate just fine...The kind of communication a young criminal can best understand. In Your Opinion Humanitarian efforts will always be a part of America, but what happened to UNICEF? What happened to the United Children's Fund? Which children are those funds helping? Is every nation contributing or are these funds which once again are owed by nations who still owe the U.S. for war reparations? Published presumably during commercials for Beverly Hills 90210. Sure, the work camps would get the kids off the street and out of the schools and 1 l's. Under Gov. Leavitt's plan, we'd all feel safer taking out the garbage. But the missing element is a vital part of a young criminal's training. Nowhere does Gov. Leavitt mandate that the pimply thugs be supervised by an Alabama drill sergeant. Alabama drill sergeants are a unique breed, an essential part of any decent work camp. A good old7-- The headlines coming from America are just as troubling as those coming from Somalia or Haiti. People are being gunned down in the streets and in their homes. Millions are homeless. Millions are jobless. Millions of youth are waging war against their neighborhoods. How many world powers are scratching their heads and wondering how to help America? When are the U.N. troops going to arrive to alleviate the suffering of the American people? The goal of America needs to be determined. Are we the world police, or have we learned from past mistakes? John Stable, Sr. publisher is encouraging "work camps," detention centers where young punks will learn that a shovel has uses other than in swatting little old ladies who carry purses. It's a good idea. But there's one element missing. According to the governor, the "work camp" would force young criminals to toil in the morning, study their schoolwork in the afternoon, and think about their foul .deeds in the evening As the nation crumbles from within, the last question the American public wants to have answered is how to deal with the problems of another country. j Leavitt curfews in Salt Lake City. They jeered, sneered and laughed at the idea of the police calling their parents to come get them and said in effect, My mother can't discipline me"." We have been in detention before and it's no big deal. They soon let you out." The juveniles were totally incorrigible. The alleged penalties we currently impose are not really penalties. They have been totally ineffective, disrespected and very costly. All I read and hear is that our government officials want more legislation and more money to enlarge a failing system which will never solve the problem or bring any respect for the law or human life. Now my solution is an extended application of the Death Penalty. The Death Penalty is the only effective way for government officials to "get tough" with criminals and gangs and to gain some measure of respect for law and order as well as for human life. The Death Penalty should be imposed surely and swiftly not only when a murder is committed but as follows: 1. When persons use a gun, knife, or lethal weapon in a robbery, rape or criminal act. Even if the gun is not fired or the victim shot or killed the potential for death is imminent. 2. When persons use a gun or lethal weapon in a way that may kill or maim people because of a grudge or for no reason at all, such as: a. Drive-b- y shootings at homes or people. b. When a gun or lethal weapon is pulled in an argument, such as the recent murder at the Delta Center and the shooting at the State Fair. (Also the who yelled "shoot him" should be executed as an accomplice). 3. When a bank customer was robbed of $6 in the parking lot. It doesn't matter than the amount was only $6. If it had been $6,000 or $6,000,000 the potential for the death of the victim was the same (with a gun and a knife). 4. Shooting at patrolmen, policemen or neighborhood watch patrol, etc. in pursuit of crime suspects. 5. Possible other actions. No one can argue that the above policy would not reduce the crime rate of repeat offenders which commit a large percentage of the crimes. Historical scriptures tell us many would "durst not rob nor murder for he that murdered was punished unto death." The fear of death, if firmly and speedily applied, would substantially reduce the crime rate. The potential murderer can best be cured if he knows the sure consequences of his action. We don't need more state funding, etc. to fight gang activity and crime and to build prisons, detention centers, etc. Grave-yard- s are cheaper than prisons and detention facilities and they are much more effective. Opponents of the death penalty claim a regard for human life but only the life of the criminal which is mostly a negative. These opponents show no regard whatever for the human life of the victim who is generally contributing a positive influence on his family, society and civilization. The opponents of the death penalty encourage assaults on innocent victims by creating a protective atmosphere for the criminal. In the recent slaying ot an English tourist in Florida, a suspect has been arrested "56 times." It is highly probable that he used a gun, etc. in some of those incidents causing arrests. Why was he still'on the streets with a gun? Only because our and justice system is totally ineffective. Under the death penalty system he would not be around to be a suspect. Since juveniles are now committing capital crimes we must eliminate the distinction of juvenile courts for their crimes. Now we must not forget that the Constitution grants citizens the right to bear arms (for their protection, for hunting, etc., not for criminal use). Gun control is a futile effort. "When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns." In fact, if our government officials don't get the death penalty expanded, citizens may have to acquire guns to protect themselves. There "soft-heade- law-abidi- or should be no law or penalty for shooting someone who is is attacking you. Please do not publish my name as I am afraid to sign my name. Those who oppose the Death Penalty, the gangs and criminals who would be affected would have no inhibitions to come and shoot me if I became known. It is not that I don't firmly believe in the plan I have set forth. It is that I have no confidence in the present system to protect me or my family. Frankly, I am scared and I hope you re scared too. I am telling you what will work. You, as an official are paid to do something effective. I 3m n0t- Name withheld North Salt Lake deserves new city council Editor, As a registered voter in North Salt Lake I am disgusted and disappointed in the actions of our present city council. I do not understand how this present city council can fire anyone without reason, and answer to no one for their actions. If these "elected" officials of ours do not feel they should let the public in on their decisions and plans, past and are most assuredly present-th- ey forgetting who put them jn office. I, for one, would like to know the names of the present council members and their qualifications, along with a list and qualifications of the individuals running for the I could, and hopefully next term--s- o other voters in this city, be aware of the ballot I see in front of me . next month. j Name withheld |