MAYDAY! CARTOON BY JOEL MIELKE
I find it insulting that a wealthy corporate executive chose to describe her decision not to vote in that way. Disenfranchisement is being deprived of your right to vote. Generally, low-income and minority voters are the targets, as was the case in Florida during the 2000 presidential election. I have heard nothing that indicates Lawson had a legitimate reason to feel disenfranchised — she simply chose not to vote. We should never forget those who fought and died for the rights we now enjoy. As a local elected official, I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without the courageous efforts of the suffragettes. Lawson’s repeated refusal to vote shows a lack of respect for our history. As a businessperson and a congressional candidate, she wouldn’t be where she is today if it were not for those brave women. Lawson’s attitude toward civic participation is typical of wealthy vanity candidates. Like failed Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman, Lawson didn’t vote when she was an executive raking in the cash. Now that she has relocated from San Francisco to our congressional district to launch her political career, she’s tapping her corporate connections in an effort to buy the election. I’m supporting Norman Solomon, an independent progressive Democrat for Congress. He has been in the trenches for
decades, doing the hard work of organizing for social and economic justice. In the interest of full disclosure, my partner is a paid field coordinator for the Solomon campaign, but this letter was inspired by Lawson’s actions. I am personally offended by her disdain for voting rights. Solomon’s commitment and integrity make him the best person for the job and the only viable candidate we can trust. Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap, Eureka
Sin or Bias? Editor: The divisions between church and state are ever more cloudy … and now, our medical care has its own church versus medical ethics? (“Every Sperm is Sacred,” April 5.) We did allow St. Joseph’s to take over our General Hospital … and have been reaping the “benefits” ever since. Jobs have been lost, and people are now turned away for operations which are seen by the “holier than thou” as sins? Anyone else disturbed by this? Yes, it is somewhat gender biased, as are many of the issues on the docket today. And being of the gender generally taken “hostage,” I object … best way I can … with my feet. Isn’t there a billionaire out there secretly longing to buy out St. Joe’s? Ginni Hassrick, Bayside
International Labor Holiday Come and Speak on Any Subject You Please Hear What Your Neighbors Have to Say
Soapboxes Provided • Bring a Lunch Humboldt County Courthouse Tuesday, May 1st from 12 noon-9 PM
@ncj_of_humboldt
The Sea Grill
Fresh Alaskan Halibut • Fresh Crab Dishes Black Angus Beef • Extensive Salad Bar Famous Seafood Chowder • Historic Bar
Open 7 days New Thai
316 E ST. • OLD TOWN, EUREKA • 443-7187 DINNER MON-SAT 5-9 •LUNCH TUE-FRI 11-2
307 2nd St. Old Town Eureka 269-0555 northcoastjournal.com • NORTH COAST JOURNAL • THURSDAY,APRIL 26, 2012
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