Views in brief
Smith delivers the counterpunch
IT'S SAD to read the pathetic attack on the International Socialist Organization from CounterPunch editor Jeffery St. Clair. Sharon Smith's article ("Why CounterPunch owes women an apology") brought a unique perspective to what many saw as an opportunity to use Angelina Jolie as a punching bag.
Sexism in our work places and in our local unions is real. Recently, I campaigned for and supported Sandy Pope as a candidate for the Teamsters general president. Sadly, conversations about the way she looked often over shadowed her program to take on companies and to rebuild Teamster Power; now, we are looking at our tentative UPS agreement with sunken eyes.
As I read it, Smith's point has nothing to do with censorship--rather, it's about how women are objectified and, as a result, not taken seriously.
Those who want to see a fighting labor movement or an independent left must grapple with Smith's point--not dismiss it in a childish rant. It was Smith, not St. Clair, who delivered the counterpunch. Thanks Socialist Worker.
J. York, Teamsters Local 340, Maine
The fight for justice for my brother
IN RESPONSE to "Beaten to death by Bakersfield police": It's a very sad situation for David Silva and his family, and everyone who loves mankind. We all deserve a second chance, and no one deserves to die like this.
You see, I know firsthand about this pain and anger. My little brother was murdered by Tulare Police Department officers who are still free and living a normal life, as if nothing ever happened.
My brother's name is Robert Olivo Jr. He was helpless and needed medical attention as he stated in two separate phone calls to Tulare police on March 3, 2010, at approximately 1 a.m. He was seen and heard banging on doors, asking for someone to help him.
When officers arrived, two officers started macing Robert. At the same time, Robert said (and I quote according to witness accounts), "Why are you macing me? I'm the one who called."
They jumped on Robert--seven or eight officers--because they said he was combative, which was a lie--he called for help from his cell phone twice, so they knew it was him that needed medical assistance. But they proceeded to hogtie Robert and, while doing so, Robert bit one officer on his hand. Robert panicked, I guess, because he probably couldn't breath because of the amount of mace used on him, as well as the eight officers on him.
They jumped off Robert and two officers pulled out their Tasers and began Tasing Robert at the same time, until he stopped moving. A man who I talked to the next day said he told the officers to stop, but they kept on until Robert stopped moving. They turned him over, hogtied him and taped the scene off.
The pain and sorrow that fills my heart every day has turned into anger and hate for the Tulare Police Department. How could another human being take a life from a helpless individual? They must be brought to justice. Our deceased family members did not die for no reason at all--or did they?
We need to show these officers that we mean business, and we will not tolerate this type of behavior from people that swore to serve and protect us. Unity will bring justice to those who have hurt us and our families. God bless you, David, and your family.
The Wheeler family, Tulare, Calif.
Stopping the war on teachers
IN RESPONSE to "Why are they pushing out a veteran teacher?": This is a superb interview that lays out the basics of the situation in Concord, Mass. Too many teachers are under fire for taking principled stances. Teachers need more control over curricula, not less.
I think we should back up any protests that are held to back up Merrie Najimy and her co-workers--perhaps we should reconvene the Chicago Teachers Solidarity Committee as a force to straighten things out in Concord? Props to SocialWorker.org for publishing and promoting this article.
Dave Burt, Medford, Mass.
Why trauma centers are becoming scarce
I SAW your article about a trauma center at the University of Chicago ("Protesting health care apartheid at U of C").
Some of the issues with the university not wanting the facility to go back to being a trauma center are not just about money. Doctors are needed to staff a trauma center, and due to changes in health care payouts, doctors are leaving risky practices such as trauma and neurology.
I work in health care, and we are being asked to do more work for less money. At some point, we will not have a health care workforce that is effective because we are being overwhelmed, and this is when patients will be the ones that suffer. Changes in the new health care law are increasing the patient load with fewer resources.
What has to change is the way the health care workforce is being allocated.
Jessica, from the Internet
