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Editor, The North Country Gazette:
Governor Pataki seems to be making extraordinary efforts to make New York state a safer place for women and children. This in concert with increased pressure from a handful of people in the media to protect some of our most vulnerable from some of those most addicted to preying on them.
It is disturbing that more people in media will not expose the struggle between those who would confine these predators/addicts indefinitely in psychiatric institutions, and those who oppose them.
Sheldon Silver has obstructed the legislation now labeled "Connie's Law" for years, secure in the knowledge he need not explain his actions or worry about media exposure of his actions to most of his constituents or the public at large. If Assembly Speaker Silver has a superior solution to dealing with these predators, most people would expect him to share it/show it off. If he does not, are we not owed an explanation for his obstructionism? Are his intentions noble, or corrupted by moneyed special interest constituents he is embarrassed to be identified with? Remember Supreme court justice Ruth Bader-Ginsberg has advocated legalizing prostitution and polygamy, and lowering the age of consent to age 12 while a senior officer in the ACLU. She has come far with the help of influential supporters who may not only accept her advocacy for these constituencies, but may support her because of her advocacy.
Simply put, being soft on predators could be rewarded by some constituents, and as well protected from exposure to the rest of one's constituents by a sympathetic media. Thus allowing years of obstructionism, as opposed to the worst predators of the last few years eligible for indefinite confinement.
Tom Chandler
Guilderland N.Y.
11-16-05
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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