Public Reaction to Violence

In reading Pillsbury’s perspective on crime, the following from Alexander Pope’s “An Essay on Man” instantly came to mind:

Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,

As to be hated needs but to be seen.

Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face

We first endure, then pity, then embrace.

Silence is no longer golden. It’s criminal for people of virtue and honor to sit on our seats of apathy and let it happen. We must create a massive outpouring of righteous indignation--one that will capture the undivided attention of our legislators and officials who are charged with assuring that our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is not usurped by the criminal element in our society.

I pray we will find a savior who will show us the way to make it through the ‘90s.

JEAN E. FORTH

Los Angeles