Race still a factor when police deal with the public
Published August 7, 2004
Why are so many black people killed around the country by law enforcement while others are allowed to walk away uncuffed and unscathed? I believe that the black community must deal forthrightly with the nihilistic behavior found in some segments of its population just as any other group. However, one cannot escape the inconsistencies in police discretion that lead to black deaths as opposed to others.
On Aug. 3 the St. Petersburg Times published a story of a routine traffic stop by law enforcement (Officer: Naimoli threw tantrum). A police officer was approached at night by a white man who failed to comply with his command three times. After moving to another location, the man screamed at the officer while the officer continued to do his job. I am thankful that the officer and everyone involved were unhurt. The officer seemed to use calm, reasonable judgment.
However, the reason I must teach my young black son to always respect and comply with police commands is that it is the right thing to do... and it also can keep him alive. There is no black man in the country who can fail to comply with a police officer three times and not at least get arrested, if not shot to death or beaten. There must be a consistent policy within the confines of discretion that lends transparency to disconnected communities, or there will continue to be problems.
-- Keith Berry, Tampa
Rich, white and wealthy
Re: Officer: Naimoli threw tantrum.
Wow, Vincent Joseph Naimoli doesn't think his wife or he must accept a ticket for her running a red light? If I had approached a cop the way he did last Saturday night, because I didn't care for my spouse being ticketed, I bet you know where I would be sitting right about now. In jail, that's where.
How is it that seemingly intelligent people think they deserve a pass on anything they do because they are a member of the good old boys' club here in Tampa Bay? Now let's say that guy was Mr. Nobody and he was a poor black man, what do you think would have become of him for the same conduct?
Lets face it: Being rich, white and wealthy you can do just about whatever you want and get away with it, if you're pals with the chief of police and the right people. Shame on you, Mr. Naimoli.
-- Jay H. Love, Largo
They are not above the law
Re: Officer: Naimoli threw tantrum.
As an ardent Devil Rays fan I was appalled by the behavior of Vincent Naimoli last weekend. After his wife was pulled over for running a red light, he pulled up and got out of his car to ask the police officer if he knew who he was.
I think it would haved been better for the officer to ask him: "Who do you think you are?"
I think Mr. Naimoli disgraced the Devil Rays organization. Neither he nor his wife is above the law. And I am thankful that she did not cause an accident or hurt anyone because she is Vince Naimoli's wife. What arrogance! Mr. Naimoli, you should be ashamed of yourself.
-- Pat Jordan, Spring Hill
Prayer has a place
I remember telling myself never again to read Howard Troxler in your paper. That happened several years back; I am not sure why. Having read his Aug. 3 article on prayer after seeing the headline (Public prayer provides no wisdom, but does divide), I can probably guess why I decided that years ago.
To suggest that prayer offers no wisdom is sad indeed. To suggest there be no prayer in public places is equally sad. Now, if one wants to make a case that the prayer be more generic and not promote a certain religion, then maybe a case could be made. Troxler does make such references, but then broadly relates it to all prayer.
Certainly a few moments asking for God's wisdom and blessing on whatever public events are taking place should not be offensive to anyone. Even atheists, I would think, would not be offended. There should be no negativity toward them in the prayer, and just out of respect for the great majority who do believe in God and prayer, they should just accept it. The prayer should be meant to cover all, even those who do not believe. And just in case the great majority who believe in God are right and the rather small number who do not are wrong, what's the harm?
As you might guess, I am a believer and have found much wisdom in prayer. With all that is going on in this world which, I think, offends God, let's at least pay a few moments of respect, thanks and requested blessing at important public events and meetings.
-- Ray Hetterich, Treasure Island
Invoking the power of people
If an atheist gives an invocation, what does he invoke? Don Addis asked the question in his Aug. 4 cartoon. Here's the simple answer:
Invocations are petitions directed to what ever "higher power" the petitioner believes is positioned to help the deliberative body achieve decisions superior to those which would be reached without such assistance. Because atheists aren't superstitious, they address their invocations to what they know to be the only power higher than themselves: the collective power of the people, the collective power of mankind, the collective power of the very folks seated before them and around them listening to their invocation and making those decisions. Those people, all people, have the power within themselves, individually and collectively, to make better decisions, to be thoughtful, to be wise, to be kind, to be generous, to be circumspect, to be fair, and to follow the golden rule.
-- Bud Tritschler, Clearwater
Why tape the protesters?
Watch out, St. Petersburg, Big Brother is watching you! After reading about the controversy surrounding proposals to limit areas of protest downtown (City ends proposal to limit protests, July 29), I decided to attend the next St. Pete for Peace Rally at BayWalk. What I found was a small group of 20-25 people, including some senior citizens, displaying banners primarily against the war and handing out leaflets outlining the city's efforts to restrict their activities. Everything unfolded peacefully and there were no arrests that I was aware of.
The number of police on hand was definitely oversized for such a small group, and many of the officers, in my opinion, were only thinly disguising their contempt for those protesting. But what I found particularly distressing was a police officer poised on a nearby balcony with a videocamera, filming the participants. What is the purpose and justification of videotaping the faces of our citizens exercising their constitutional right to free speech? Was it designed to do future surveillance on the members of St. Pete for Peace? Is it to maintain an "enemies list" a la Richard Nixon? Was it done for intimidation?
This kind of police-state heavy-handedness does not belong in our city! It gives one the impression that the officers are working at the behest of the oligarchs that own the BayWalk complex. And why do I get the feeling that had it been a pro-Iraq war rally, no such tactics would have been used?
Stop the videotaping by law enforcement of those who peacefully protest!
-- Larry Nones, St. Petersburg
First address sources of obesity
Re: Medicare coverage of obesity.
Thus far, the media reports I have seen regarding the possibility of Medicare coverage of obesity treatments have not addressed factors that lead to obesity in the first place. As reported in New Scientist (July 17), and which is obvious if you stroll through our shopping malls and public spaces, we are overweight, we are overeating and overindulging in fats, sugars and salt. And most of us participate in little or no physical activity or exercise. The results of these lifestyle decisions have led to our social epidemic of obesity, and from there to real cardiovascular disease and early death.
Before hundreds of millions of tax dollars are laid out in yet another financial windfall for pharmaceutical industries (think diet and weight-loss pills) we need to address structural sources of obesity. Alongside investigations identifying genes that affect susceptibility to diet-related diseases (with the purpose of prescribing diets to avoid such diseases), legislators, regulators and individuals must address industrial policy and advertising practices that encourage the production and consumption of dangerously excessive amounts of fats, sugars and salt.
Politically I'm progressive; government exists to protect and ensure the right of individuals to live a decent life, including access to health care for all Americans. But I'm hesitant to support Medicare coverage of obesity treatments without addressing the institutions - industrial food processing and marketing of fast food and junk food - that encourage overeating and a pervasive sedentary popular American lifestyle.
I am not suggesting that people should not get to choose which foods they may eat or be forced to exercise. I am suggesting that it's irresponsible to spend tax dollars on an epidemic that is in part a result of lifestyle decisions, without addressing sources of the so-called epidemic.
-- Jason Day, Tampa
An inappropriate illustration
Re: Setting errors straight beats taking a guilt trip, by Carolyn Hax, Aug. 5.
I thought the cartoon that ran with this advice column was in extremely poor taste. Does anyone at the St. Petersburg Times look over these items before publication?
To use Mickey Mouse in that context in the cartoon was, in my opinion, uncalled for. I would expect to see that cartoon in an adult magazine, not the newspaper - especially next to the movie schedules where many young people might get a glimpse of it.
I could go on and on about our responsibility as adults and the responsibility of publications... but I will not. Most of us know that already. I just had to state my distaste for the cartoon.
-- Terry Marano, Clearwater
Stay connected to your child
Re: Infants left in car seats.
Forgetting an infant protectively placed in an appropriate infant car seat is a terrible tragedy. Having a built-in system to alert the driver would be wonderful. But until then, here is a very simple system that all mothers or baby tenders can easily do:
Attach an alligator clip or any other type of clip on each end of an elastic cord. Clip one end to the baby's clothes or the baby seat and the other end to the steering wheel. In that way, the driver must remove the clip from the steering wheel when he or she gets in to drive and should then attach it to his shirt or jacket so he can't leave the car without detaching it and, hopefully, remembering why it is there.
-- Gloria Julius, St. Petersburg
Devise a reminder system
Re: Another child forgotten in hot car.
When we hooked our RV up to the electricity in a camp ground, we would always attach to the steering wheel a large clipon hair holder. This was a reminder not to pull out until we had disconnected the cord. Parents ought to come up with some kind of a reminder for themselves.
-- Jean Tavener, St. Petersburg
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