February 22, 2002
In response to the letter from Terry Hanks, Mark Baca and la Verne Mitchell (The Star-News Feb. 15), I say Bull! Hanks apparently does not feel that the law matters. The courts have spoken on an elected review board. It is not legal.
Mr. Hanks stands on Highland Avenue on Sunday nights using his megaphone to spout his racist hatred. Mr. Hanks uses language that would make a construction worker blush. People with small children had better beware when Mr. Hanks (the voice of the oppressed) is exercising his First Amendment right. Mr. Hanks does not think that the police in National City can treat people fairly unless their ethnicity or skin colors match. I must be in big trouble because my ethnicity is Greek.
Mr. Hanks is outraged because several levels of police (reserve and regular) are represented on the task force. I would hope the police representitives can help answer questions the other taks force member may have. Any task force, which does not include gangsters, felons or other creatures of the dark would not satisfy Mr. Hanks.
The police are bound by the Constitution and by the laws which are enacted under that Constitution, not popular vote of the pople who cruise Highland Avenue. Mr. Hanks refers to our police as "scumbags and killers." What a great way to treat professionals who have taken the initiative to obtain the academy training and college (some even have masters degrees) to become police officers. Many of the officers work in National City and work for less money in spite of the fact they could go to other agencies in the county. It is because they regard National City Police Department's professionalism second to none and are proud to work for the city of National City.
Mark Baca is just trying to position himself as the people's champion. The truth is, he is just a puppet of Hanks' and a political wannabe. Mr. Baca should make sure his house is in order before he points a finger of shame at those City Council members who truly represent the people. The last time I checked, our City Council was elected by the people, not the National City Police Officers Association.
As for Ms. Mitchell, she can make all kinds of accusations about "internal affairs department documents" that no one other than she has seen. She can spout off until the cows come home about someone "overhearing a conversation of cops conspiring against her," which probably did not really occur anywhere but in her mind. What I object to is Ms. Mitchell's use of the word sacriligious, referring to Councilman Mitch Beauchamp quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. King spent his life teaching tolerance and racial equality. Apparently, Ms. Mitchell missed that point. while she was to busy trying to make race an issue, referring to herself as a "silent slave." I do not agree with everything Beachamp does or says, but I think he is right on with this issue. The fact that Ms. Mitchell cannot see beyond someone's color tells me she probably suffers from the same racist beliefs that inspire Mr. Hanks and Mr. Baca.
B. Phillips
National City