Letters to the editor: May 2

Government collection needed

The Tribune has a right to disagree with my position, as it did in a recent editorial regarding a new DNA database (Our View, Wednesday), but it is not fair to characterize my effort as “blithely” or lighthearted.

The new regulations and the bill that led to them are the product of years of review and consideration. Since the bill creating this database was first introduced in 2003, my staff and I spent hundreds of hours consulting with experts in the field, opponents of expanded sampling, and other government agencies to ensure, among other things, that the regulations do not violate anyone’s privacy or result in misuse of data. For example, Congress enacted a measure that I offered that would subject any lab employee who misuses a DNA sample to up to one year in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Not too long ago, Santana Aceves, also known as “The Chandler Rapist,” was arrested and linked to the brutal attacks of six girls, four of whom were raped, all between the ages of 12 to 15. Aceves is accused of targeting girls of single parents, attacking them at home in the morning after the parent had gone to work. Aceves was in the United States illegally and had been deported in 1999 and 2003. Had these new regulations been in place, his DNA would have been taken, the rapist might have been identified after the first attack, and the subsequent rapes probably would not have occurred.

I’m curious to see what the Tribune says about real-life crimes that could have been prevented had the very regulations it so blithely editorializes against been in place.

SEN. JON KYL R-ARIZONA, SHERIFF JOE ARPAIO

Provides equal treatment

I can personally attest to the fact that Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is not racially motivated in his enforcement of laws. I received a ticket in Guadalupe from his deputies and the Guadalupe judge showed no remorse in fining me and taking my money, and I am 100 percent American and white!

JEFF W. DURBIN

MESA

TEMPE COUNCIL ELECTION

Woods committed to city

Voters in Tempe have an opportunity to vote for Corey Woods, a young, bright incredible leader in our community. While Corey is relatively new to Tempe, he has become deeply embedded in our community. He has taken the time to learn about Tempe, to listen to a broad cross-section of residents and to serve this community he has grown to love and respect. I met Corey Woods during his first run at the council. I was impressed by his quick grasp of the issues, his magnetic personality and his ability to connect with individuals from all segments of our diverse city. I agreed to co-chair his 2008 campaign because I was impressed, not only with his personality, but the way that he so quickly became an important part of our great city.

Corey is articulate, able to work in a nonpartisan manner and able to gain consensus in a very respectful manner. He is committed to keeping Tempe a great place to live and to making it better by working for affordable housing for city employees and others, and continuing and increasing the city’s commitment to clean up our environment.

CECILIA D. ESQUER

TEMPE

CANYON LAKE

Take cruise, skip restaurant

I read the article April 18 about the Dolly Steamboat on Canyon Lake. My wife purchased a cruise for me as a surprise for my 69th birthday. We took the cruise on March 7, and both loved it. The check-in procedure was quick and easy and the scenery was breathtaking. The crew was fabulous. I can’t say enough good things about this experience. However, I must warn your readers about the Lakeside Restaurant & Cantina that is located right behind the pier where the Dolly is moored.

My wife and I spent over 30 minutes waiting to be seated at this establishment, and were completely ignored by all employees. An older woman, with her daughter, in line behind us was in obvious distress, and she too was completely ignored by the restaurant personnel. After close to 40 minutes of waiting, with absolutely no recognition, we left. Our day at the lake was ruined by our experience at the restaurant.

LOU SHAIN

CASA GRANDE

FREE TRADE

Importing dysfunction

The Tribune says, “Dems drop ball on trade” (Our View, April 15).

Since I am not a “one issue” voter, the recent, strong work of the Democratic Party to fight the president’s free-trade agreements will not entice me to vote for a Democrat. President Bush has not seen a free-trade agreement that he hasn’t loved. The sad truth is that free trade is a program that, more than anything else, exports jobs and imports unemployment. Our free-trade treaties and commitments reward foreign regimes with one-sided contracts and grant huge loans the U.S. taxpayer will have to repay. Can we expect a free-trade agreement with Colombia to be a boon to U.S. business?

These agreements fund corruption and subsidize competition with U.S. business without regard for U.S. law. With friends like this, who needs enemies? By sad experience we have learned and relearned (and relearned) that true friends can’t be bought

CARY PALMER

MESA

Don’t subsidize with tax dollars

We all know polygamy is against the law. However, if a man can stand more than one wife, more power to him. My problem with this situation, and it is a problem requiring this wisdom of Solomon to devise a solution, is that my tax dollars are subsidizing this lifestyle in Colorado City. Our welfare system is such that we are paying for his illegitimate children.

Now, these children didn’t ask to be born and we can’t let them starve. So the state issues them a support check. But, by the same token, these men should by some means be prevented in fathering children that they can not properly support. Again I say, our taxes should not support this illegal activity.

EARL FLECK

MESA