over The EDGE page 7 Wednesday, Nov 8, 1995 EDITOR Youth Violence Speaks Again! To the Editor, Since this is my second letter to the editor on the same sub- ject, Youth Violence, I will keep this one short and to the point. It has come to my attention that originally my thesis was not . clear, therefore I am forced to repeat it: Youth Violence is clearly a problem for many British Columbian cities and towns, not Prince Rupert alone. You cannot visit Kelowna, Nanaimo, Prince George or any other place in BC without see- ing what you would in Prince Rupert. Contrary to popular belief, at my tender age, I do know and understand that Prince Rupert’s problem has escalated and des- perately needs to be dealt with. Therefore, instead of tediously spending my time slander oth- ers, I am concentrating on the actual root of the problem: what is it that is causing these young offenders to act this way. An issue I might add that many “grown ups’ are looking at also. How can we solve this problem without even understanding where it starts? Once again, on behalf of the Prince Rupert police Depart- ment, there just are not enough to go around for the time. We must consider that during Prince Rupert’s busy fishing months, the population in- creases by thousands for a short period of time. The Prince Rupert police force simply can- not hire workers for summer months alone. This is why it may not seem like they are not doing their job when actually LETTERS TO THE they are being worked to the one. - Instead of going back and forth expressing our opposing views, I think it would be more ben- eficial of our time to work with the comunities in solving this deadly problem. Georgina Nelson The Decay of the New Democratic Party: More than just a Politi- cal issue?! Editor; It is with much sadness that I have watched the moral collapse of B.C.’s New Democratic Party. Although I have not been a New Democrat for eight years, it has saddened by deeply as, year by year, the former con- science of our legislatures and parliament has trans- formed into another corrupt, poor-bashing political ma- chine, more interested in currying favor with bond rat- ing agencies than being ad- vocates for the poor, the sick and the troubled. I am saddened not only for the thousands who will have their welfare hardship benefits cut off the October 30th, as the Harcourt govern- ment “streamlines” our so- cial; welfare system or those in an ever-lengthening Queue for heart surgery or ‘cancer treatment. I an also worried and saddened for the hundreds if thousands who will suffer under the made- in-B.C. Ralph Klein or Mike Harris style government, which us almost certain to be elected, now that the N.D.P. has lost the moral authority to govern. In the wale of the Nanaimo Commonwealth Holding Society, and the de- feat of Svend Robinson’s leadership campaign, we see not only that the N.D.P. has lost its moral compass but that it has come for progres- sive people once again to build an accountable, elect- able vehicle that is truly their own. There is an alternative. the Green Party. Yours truly, Stuart Parker, B.C. Green Party Leader. Over the Edge Contributor gets ANGRY! Dear Editor I am absolutely sick and fucking tired of people telling me the Over the Edge sucks. Maybe these people don’t re- alize that I like many other that work on the paper put alot of time and effort so that others may enjoy the paper. Nobody pays me, I don’t get University credit, and it would at times seem no appresiation. What really got me angry was hearing someone say how shitty the paper was. So I asked them what article or articles ‘they thought were shitty. The person said they didn’t really know; that they had never both- ered to read it. If anyone wants to trash my articles or someone elses I would really urge them to write a letter to the editor. But at least read the paper be- fore you dis something that people work very hard to pro- duce. And I would suggest that if you want to trash the paper, don’t do it around me because my forgiving mood is wearing thin. For those of you that have told me that you enjoy my ar- ticle and those of you who tell me my article is well written but that I am crazy, I thank you. It is the fact that I can actually have someone else read my thoughts and think about them that make this worth while. Ian Lorenz In Defence of the "Cash Cow": Dear Editor All right, the government is oppressing us and dumping laws and their enforcement on us in good measure and I well know that we get all of the jus- tice that we can afford. How- ever, let’s not confuse victim- less “crimes” like dope smok- ing with those that have very real victims. You have attacked photo-radar as a cash cow and an assault on your freedom. Do you have freedom to drive like a maniac and threaten my safety? I hope that you cannot answer in the affirmative to that one. And about the cash cow idea: Why not have those who . break the laws pay our way? We won’t make the rich pay in our new globalised economy where our “leaders” have given this power away. I live up the Hart Highway and I take my life in my hands every time I venture into town on this road. It is characterised by libertarian drivers and no cops so I am surprised that most drivers bother to stay to the right: it must be due solely to their political convictions. I would welcome photo radar, more cops or whatever it takes to make Prince George drivers conform to some rules of the road. I don’t want to end a trip on the highway with an intro- duction to the ambulance ser- vice. Sincerely yours, _ James Loughery Letters Policy: Over the Edge has an open letter policy and will under- take to print every letter received from the Uni- versity and local com- munity. Letters must be typewritten, and should include your name, stu- dent number and phone number (for verification purposes only). Letters should be no more the 200 to 400 words. Edi- tors reserve the right to edit ruthlessly for length and libelous content. Only one submission per person per issue. Letters will not be edited for spelling or grammar. AWARENESS WEEK PREMBER 19-25 1995