Police disrupt peace march

Oregon Live | November 07, 2005

I was absolutely appalled to witness the Portland police apparently attempting to provoke a riot in downtown Portland last Wednesday. "The world can't wait" was a gently boisterous but peaceful and legal sidewalk march, but the cops several times blocked crosswalks and refused to let people pass on a "walk" signal.

At one point they created pedestrian gridlock and blocked all four crosswalks for about 15 minutes, even though there was plenty of room if people had been allowed to proceed. They roughed up one person as we watched in horror.

The crowd was a model of restraint given the provocation. "This is what a police state looks like" became the chant of not just youthful activists but middle-aged church people. For shame!

MARVIN D. MOORE North Portland

Faith informs politics

You accurately reported recently that the first question asked at a recent Democratic gathering was: "How many of you are Christian?" But we then asked participants how many were Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, spiritual or none of the above ("Democrats cast for faithful to join their fold," Oct. 25). The questions were not a litmus test, but merely informative.

I strongly support the constitutional separation of church and state and the principle that religion must be freely exercised, neither advanced by the government nor inhibited. But our values shape the decisions elected officials make. For many Democrats and Republicans alike, these values are grounded in our faith.

Voters can evaluate our values on a range of issues: protecting human life and human rights; quality health care and schools; family-wage jobs; ethics; peace and justice; fiscal and environmental stewardship; and serving the least among us.

God is not a Republican -- or a Democrat. But people of faith can be either.

DAVE HUNT State representative

D-Gladstone

Police weren't much help

We agree with Ben Stakely (Letters, Oct. 29). We also live in Southeast Portland, in the Lents area behind Eastport Plaza. We love our neighborhood, but our house also was burglarized and ransacked in September. The police came out right away and made the report.

I am afraid that is where it ended. We later saw a juvenile riding our son's custom-made BMX bike. We did as the officer instructed and did not confront the juvenile. We followed him to an apartment complex, knocked on doors of neighbors and found out the boy's name.

This was six days after the burglary. We then called police and asked if an officer could come out to confront the juvenile and maybe get some of our property returned -- at least the bike. We were told that officers do not come out for this, and we would have to add to our report over the phone. We've still heard nothing from Portland police -- no followup, no investigation (to our knowledge). Nothing.

Property crime is out of control.

VIRGINIA JOY Southeast Portland

Celebration links death, life

The Day of the Dead is a very important Mexican celebration that has deep roots in Mexican indigenous cultures as well as the Hispanic and Christian traditions and cultures of Mexico. This day helps us remember our ancestors, take stock of our progress in life and reflect on our mortality.

Your three articles about this celebration (Nov. 2) are a fair and thorough portrayal of what this day means to Mexicans, especially those who live in the United States. Your articles help us reflect on the great sacrifices our forefathers made to bring us to this country, which has opened up great opportunities for so many.

Your reports also underscore the richness and variety of the Mexican culture. People of Mexican origin can retain their traditions and be integrated into the American way of life, which is enriched by this cultural diversity.

FERNANDO SANCHEZ UGARTE Mexican General Consul Southwest Portland

Cost figures cause confusion

Julie Tripp's analysis of the new Medicare Part D (Oct. 16) did a great job of warning seniors to take a good look at the new prescription drug plans that have popped up in the wake of the Medicare Modernization Act. The caution is warranted. For example, one bit of confusion was that Tripp listed premiums for Kaiser Permanente's Medicare Advantage individual plans (ranging from $76 to $215 for members with Medicare Parts A and B). Some seniors might have thought this was the cost for drug coverage itself. Those are the full premium costs for comprehensive health coverage, as well as Medicare prescription drug coverage.

In fact, most of our Medicare Advantage plans have a zero premium (no cost added) for prescription drugs. Another reason for seniors to be wary is that if Medicare participants already have health insurance with prescription drug coverage, they risk losing that existing health coverage if they sign up with a prescription drug plan.

Reading the fine print, asking detailed questions and getting complete answers is good advice for any senior thinking about making this important decision.

LAUREL WILLIAMS Manager, consumer sales Kaiser Permanente Northwest Northeast Portland

Justice should be impartial

A Supreme Court decision generated from either a conservative or liberal position is extremely disturbing and corrupts the rule of law. Any candidate worthy of that bench should be thoroughly offended by such expectations.

Last modified November 7, 2005