INCARCERATION IS NOT THE ANSWER

Thank you, Willamette Week and James Pitkin, for exploring the criminal justice contradictions in last week’s “Jailhouse Paradox” [April 16, 2008].

The article touches on the resulting fiscal nightmare should the Mannix Mandatory Minimum ballot measures pass, and in addition, I want to make sure people know that in Oregon we already spend just under half our state general fund on Corrections. The Department of Corrections is staffed by a lot of great people, but We, The People, are not watching closely enough. Folks, the data is in: Locking people up is the most expensive way to deal with criminal behavior and it does not address most of the problems that actually result from crimes. I personally do a lot of work on behalf of victims and am attuned to what types of accountability and reparations actually help—more Mannix Messes ain’t it.

Melissa Egan
Northwest Flanders Street

BUT CRONKITE KEPT PIE OFF HIS FACE

Dear Mr. Smith, Thank you for mentioning “On the Go With Joe” in your fine publication’s recent “Kvetch Fest” [April 9, 2008]. I haven’t actually read the article (April is the busy season for pie-eating contests), but I can only assume that it praises my journalistic integrity and Cronkite-like gravitas. My colleagues in the mainstream media may decry my tactics, but I take great pride in covering the stories that they are afraid to touch. Rest assured, when Portland faces its next Pirate festival or free smoothie giveaway, I will be there to ask the tough questions. Thank you for making Good Day Oregon Portland’s number one source for news, weather, traffic and canine fashion shows.

Joe Vithayathil
Feature Reporter/Senior Boat Show Correspondent
Good Day Oregon

BLAZERS GO .500! (P.S. THERE’S WORLD PEACE)

I’m one of those dreaded newbies to this amazing city: I’ll celebrate two years in PDX this August. Not long enough to call myself a “true Portlander,” of course, but I’ve logged enough miles walking in the amazing rain (sans umbrella, of course) to wash the “Tourist” tag off my back. But, P-towners, you need to grow out of your near pathological jealousy towards us L.A. Laker fans. At least expand your mindset enough to embrace our common Pacific Coast connection and help us take down the dreaded Celtics (Now THERE’S a team to hate on, folks!).

And, before you start foaming at the mouth (or is that just beer?), I have family connections in Oregon that date to the turn of the century. The 20th century, that is, so cut me some slack. Your team is making great strides, and I can’t wait to see next year’s Blazers, too. Next year will be all about Roy, Aldridge and Oden going up against Kobe, Gasol and Bynum. Rip City, indeed. So show me a little love, and I’ll promise to stop whispering “2000 Western Conference Finals, game 7, fourth quarter” in your pierced and distended earlobes. But it is kinda cute when your daily newspaper uses a type size normally reserved for the end of world wars to exalt a .500 season. Keep up the good work.

Michael Whipple
Northwest Lovejoy Street