Father Boyle on Gangs

Re “Victimizers Call Us to Compassion, Too,” Commentary, Sept. 29:

The Rev. Gregory Boyle is eager to demonstrate his liberal credentials and moral superiority by showing that he is impartial in his “compassion” for murderers and victims alike. It is precisely this inability to tell right from wrong, or good from evil, that characterizes modern “liberalism”-- with its emphasis on “situational ethics” and conditional morality. To Boyle, as to other liberals, there is literally no difference between an innocent 3-year-old girl and the gangbanger who put a bullet into her body.

He speaks of the “root causes” of violence, referring to the tired--and long-ago disproved--liberal contention that violence is society’s fault and is caused by poverty and racism. He surely knows that violence is caused by the erosion of society’s norms promoted by liberals like himself; knows and understands that crime is caused by the permanent underclass created by the welfare state and by misplaced liberal “compassion.”

JAMES F. GLASS

Chatsworth

*

* Referring to gangs, Boyle notes “the perpetrators of violence and senseless deaths are still human beings.” He implores our compassion. Maybe the padre is onto something. So I sat at my desk with pen and tablet and began to compile a list under the heading “Good Things to Say About Gangbangers.” Two hours and three cups of coffee later I was done. It turned out to be a very short list. I found only one noble attribute--but it is one we all can emulate.

To those stuck on their own list, I offer mine: “Gangbangers are very good about ride-sharing.”

KEVIN GILLOGLY

Van Nuys

*

* Boyle’s commentary is sure to draw a lot of outrage from people who love to hate, which unfortunately includes all of us. We Americans treasure our “monsters,” from Charles Manson and Susan Smith to anybody who looks like he’s in a gang or doesn’t speak English. Our politicians play to our fears and ignorance, touting their “get tough on crime” lunacy, which just makes matters worse. More police and more prisons won’t address any real problems, and certainly won’t make us any safer.

If we tried to fathom just what would compel someone to shoot into a carload of children or drive two children into a lake, we would have to admit that such perpetrators are human just like us. We don’t want to do that; it seems less painful to hate them. Sort of like people in gangs do. Until we shuck the “I’m good, they’re bad” self-righteous delusion, wake up and realize that we are all human, the “monster” population will continue to grow and there won’t be enough “good” people left to keep the criminal revenge system going. It has to stop somewhere, and I applaud Father Boyle for having the courage to say it.

BONNIE ROSE

Hawthorne

*

* I read with interest Frank del Olmo’s Sept. 26 commentary about gangs, “End the Reign of the King Rats.” Del Olmo says that several groups such as Community Youth Gang Services or Father Boyle in East L.A. could carry out a strategy against gangs. In addition, the columnist suggests that local business and government should focus on alternatives to gangs. The writer forgot the main providers of alternatives for their children. The parents of each individual kid should take responsibility for their youngster.

Local parks offer many different activities for kids. For example, most recreation centers offer basketball, football or swimming for about $20 a season. Also, the yellow pages show many organizations that provide services.

We can blame the media, the politicians, poverty or anything. The truth is parents should take responsibility for their kids.

HECTOR E. MORALES

Los Angeles