On 12/23/02 8:43 AM, "Gary Bowman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Gary Hoover also writes, "I read in the newspaper that > no charges were filed. Why not? How did the crash > occur? Were there witnesses? Were they interviewed > by police? Did the police fully investigate to > determine what happened and if charges are warranted?" > > There is an appearance, at least to me, that there is > an insinuation of some type of "system against the > poor woman" conspiracy. Why should we automatically > second guess whether the police did the job they were > supposed to do, that is to ask the proper questions > and seek out the witnesses to asceratain if charges > are warranted? If indeed the police haven't done the > job they are instructed to do, then questions should > be asked. However, let's not assume the police are > "out to get the poor woman". I had a different take on what Gary Hoover was suggesting. It wasn't that the police were "out to get" anyone. It was that they were perfectly willing to let this woman's death go uninvestigated because there was no family or friends demanding an investigation. I'm sure some would defend this sort of approach by complaining that the police are undermanned, but if human life has the value we all claim it does, that argument falls short. > As sad as this incident is, I would also argue that > accidents sometimes just happen. It is very possible > that nobody intended to harm or kill Ms. Jones (poor > or not) but rather that people aren't perfect and > someone made a terrible mistake. God help us if we > reach the point where there is such vengence in our > hearts that we must criminalize every honest human > mistake and error. I think what Gary Hoover is suggesting is that we may never know whether this was truly an accident or whether it was due to negligence by the driver because the police appear unwilling to follow up. I'm sure whoever the driver was had no intention to harm Ms. Jones. However, if Ms. Jones is now dead because the driver was under the influence, distracted by a cell phone, was speeding or was engaged in any other activity that one shouldn't be doing while driving, then I think some charge of negligent manslaughter or whatever it would be is most warranted and should be pursued with great vengeance. Cars and driving have become so commonplace and such a casual part of our lives that too many of us get behind the wheel without the proper appreciation for just how much damage can be done if we don't take care and pay attention while we are driving. I'm sure nobody gets behind the wheel with the intent to create havoc, but when you're in control of something that weighs several thousand pounds and can move at high speeds, you'd better damn well respect that by giving it your full attention. If it takes somebody going to prison for their "terrible mistake" to wake us up, then I would hope our police force and county attorney would go after that driver and make an example out of him or her. How easy will it be to dismiss when it's your loved one who gets killed by someone's "honest mistake" of inattentive driving? Mark Snyder Windom Park _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
