Wednesday, September 18, 2002
'Intent' differentiates crime from accident
Editor:
This letter is in response to a letter published on Sept. 9 which asked why someone serves less time for a car accident in which a death occurs compared to stabbing or shooting someone. The answer is because when a person stabs or shoots another it is with intent. That intent is to hurt another human being, possibly kill. When a person takes a gun or knife to another, there is most definitely going to be injuries because the person intended to harm the other.
When one gets into a car, there is no intent to get into a car accident and injure or kill someone. Accidents happen everyday and they are called accidents because they are just that --unintentional. For example, you are driving down the road, get into an accident, the other party involved dies. Do you believe you deserve jail time? Is jail the place for you to be because you were involved in an accident and someone died? Did you intend for that to happen? No, of course not, but it happened. Police officer Tim Albu also had no intent on hurting anyone, as a matter of fact, just the opposite. He was going to help a fellow officer. Sure he may be guilty of speeding, but then I ask how many of you drive 25 mph in a marked zone. I know I do not.
Next, we get into a different area. The letter writer mentioned the difference between emergencies and non-emergencies. What constitutes an emergency? I guess that is defined in one's own eyes. For example, in a domestic situation a call is dispatched and all that is happening at the moment is a verbal argument with a neighbor. To me, that is not an emergency, but what can quickly develop it into an emergency. We all know how any situation can change in a matter of seconds.
Finally, regarding the age of a police officer, 23 years old is hardly a kid. At that age, men and women are out teaching your children, caring for you in the hospital, fighting for our country, or working in any other occupation that a four year or less degree offers. If Tim came across as a & quot;kid, & quot; I doubt that he would have been hired at the age of 20 like he was. His age had nothing to do with the accident and in no way lessened how he went about doing his job.
In conclusion, I would just like to say that in no way am I belittling the death of Mr. Lambert. I acknowledge the tragedy and I just wanted to address the issues in the letter.
MARIBETH PAPPADA
Warren
Short shrift at Shanksville
EDITOR:
I am writing to proclaim the disgust I felt after being treated the way many did at the Flight 93 ceremony last Wednesday. Feeling it was only right to pay our respects in person rather than watch a television, my parents and I decided to attend the ceremony in Shanksville. Previous to the drive, I took note that people would be shuttled to the site. When we arrived at 8 a.m. in Shanksville we were told that all shuttles ended at 6 a.m. We got the run-around from four police officers, none of whom seemed to care.
While there, we met many people who also were not allowed to attend, even though we were an hour and a half early. Some were from Maryland and West Virginia. Others lived in Shanksville their entire lives and still were not allowed to enter the & quot;open to public & quot; ceremony.
It was truly sad to be treated that way after driving many miles to pay respects.
DAN DOMBROSKI
Youngstown
Not the day for questions
EDITOR:
Am I the only person disturbed by the article in The Vindicator on the anniversary of 9/11: "Is America the Good Guy?" On a day when people were trying to heal our hearts and souls, fearful for our children's future we needed hope. Hope that the world is not an evil place. That we are not the bad guys. Shame on the person who ran that article on a day when we needed uplifting and hopeful messages.
PAT HAWKINS
Austintown