Public thoughts

Crime and No Punishment? Anne Marie Schubert, current Sacramento County District Attorney, formerly a Republican who’s running as an Independent for state Attorney General, is my kind of woman, and definitely my kind of “The People’s Attorney General.”

Schubert says, “Did you know in California, felony domestic violence, drugging and raping an unconscious person, human trafficking of a child, and assault with a deadly weapon are not classified as ‘violent” crimes.’ That means, if a perpetrator commits any of these crimes, they are eligible for early release from prison sentences because they are considered ‘non-violent’ under California law and may serve as little as 1/3 of their sentence! As a career prosecutor, I’ve watched the state Attorney General’s office become politicized by partisans who are more interested in protecting criminals than the millions of women who have been victimized by them. Ballots will start hitting mail boxes in a matter of days. I am the only candidate who, as a career prosecutor, has the credentials, political independence, and support necessary to defeat the partisan and politicized incumbent.”

Schubert launched her candidacy as a rebuke of what she continuously referred to the “chaotic” and “reckless” actions and policies of California politicians.

“Countless victims across this state are being abandoned by the very people we have entrusted to support them and protect them,” Schubert said.

She’s got that right.

Reader’s thoughts in Supreme Court abortion draft decision

Last week’s column on the Supreme Court possibly prepared to strike down Roe v. Wade, generated lots of comments and emails. Here’s a few of them:

“With six Catholics sitting on the Supreme Court, why is it a surprise the court is overturning Roe vs. Wade?” —George Dorner

“You’d think they’d know how to separate Church from State.” — Kirk Vodopals

“The issue of abortion is similar to the issue of black slavery. It involves a wide range of nuances that define rights vs. lives. While I doubt the country will go to war over abortion, this conflict is harder to resolve than slavery, and is one we will be living with. Christianity played a big role in the abolitionist movement and also to defend slavery. While there are churches that oppose abortion, there are also churches that are silent on the subject. We don’t have to worry about abortion debate versions of the Missouri Compromise, or The Fugitive Slave Act. But violence is expected from both side, as we saw in the slavery debate.” — George Hollister

“Jim Shields wrote, ‘Roe v. Wade guarantees abortion rights throughout the U.S. until the fetus is viable, typically between 22 and 24 weeks.’ Complete misstatement of facts. States that allow for late-term abortions with no state-imposed thresholds are Alaska, Colorado, District of Columbia, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont. (World Population Review) Fifteen others states allow it if it ‘threatens a mother’s life,’ which in some circumstances is broadly interpreted to mean a mother’s psychological life. Then there was the case of the Chicago physician killing term babies after they were born. Mostly the children of Black women. Thankfully, he went to jail.” —Michael Koeph

More comments from readers

Recent columns and my reports on my weekly radio program on KPFN 105.1 FM triggered a couple of thoughtful notes that I’ll share with you.

“An oncologist I knew quickly corrected me when I once referred to “the Ukraine;” she told me it’s preferable to natives of the country to say “Ukraine.” I believe “the Ukraine” is a way for Russia to identify it more as part of its territory. I hadn’t heard about “Pooty-Poot.” Thanks for that.” —“J”

That’s interesting what your oncologist said to you because she’s absolutely correct. I have degrees in Political Science and History, and combined the two disciplines for a core study in Russian History and Soviet Political Thought. Although I am not an expert in either field, I can tell you that the name “The Ukraine” was coined in the 20th Century when Russia was under Stalinist Soviet rule. The constitution of Ukraine repeatedly refers to the country as “Ukraine.” The people consider “Ukraine” synonomous of its independence from both Russian and Soviet rule.

I have to tell you my wife got a kick out of hearing that Bush II nicknamed Vladdy “PootyPoot.” She referred to the thenPresident as “Bushy Pants.”

Thanks for contacting me, I truly enjoy hearing from people who are current on our everchange events.

“Thank you so much for your articles in the AVA. Have you ever thought of running for Supervisor? You have great ideas and real world solutions that are so disparately needed here in the County. Especially when it comes to water and water issues. I think you are doing a great job for Laytonville. — “S”

Thank you for all the kind words and support for what I do; it’s truly appreciated.

For many years, folks have urged me to run for Supervisor or state office or Congress.

But I’ve told everybody the same thing: I was in the Labor Movement and our union represented airline employees. At a very young age, in my late 20s, I was fortunate enough to be elected International president of our union, and also be reelected to several more 4-year terms. My campaigns were nation-wide and also in Canada, since we were an international union. While I loved representing working people, after 16 years as International President, plus four years as a junior officer, I decided that I’d had my fill of all the travel, campaigning, and holding office. To make a long story short, that’s how I ended up here in Mendocino County. It was simply time for a change and to transition into something a little different. I have to admit I never, ever thought I’d end up publishing a newspaper (that my wife and I founded) or managing a rural water district.

I enjoy writing about politics and serving my community in different ways, including working for the Laytonville Water District, serving as chairman of our town council, and being active in county politics.

Thank you so much for contacting me, perhaps we’ll get an opportunity sometime to meet one another.

Jim Shields is the Mendocino County Observer’s editor and publisher, observer@pacific.net, the long-time district manager of the Laytonville County Water District, and is also chairman of the Laytonville Area Municipal Advisory Council. Listen to his radio program “This and That” every Saturday at noon on KPFN 105.1 FM, also streamed live: http://www.kpfn.org