Apr 22, 2008

Letters

Greg Munks

Dear Editor: Bravo to U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier for calling for an investigation into the activity of [San Mateo County Sheriff Greg Munks] and his sidekick [Undersheriff Carlos Bolanos]. Bravo. And shame on Board of Supervisors President Adrienne Tissier and the band of clowns who condoned the sheriff's behavior. Thank you for covering this story.

Imagine the implications to a prostitute to have a sheriff, someone who should be providing refuge from her exploitation, as a client. Overwhelmingly, prostitutes, most of whom were exploited as children, want out; intimidation keeps them in the system. Where do the women turn for help when the Johns are the police?

We had to pass "mandatory reporting" laws for domestic violence because male officers were complicit in the violence against women; often they sided with the abuser. It is pathetic that the board of supervisors and district attorney do not comprehend the grave implications of the sheriff's activities. And it is an outrage that they would lend their support to sexual exploitation when sex trafficking is the major issue for women around the world.

It's good to see that Speier and Rep. Anna Eshoo at least are earning their salaries. The fact that some readers "don't get it" is irrelevant; some people never understand exploitation. It has always taken women in leadership to bring an end to exploitation by men. Adrienne Tissier, educate yourself.

Theresa Vander Horn,

Foster City


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Dear Editor: The Las Vegas trip is old news. Why don't Jackie Speier and Anna Eshoo use their skill sets - and my taxpayer dollars - on something more worthwhile such as affordable housing, food and medical care for the needy, gang warfare, education for our children, lowering gas prices and such? Their proposed "investigation" into the referenced trip, taken on personal time, makes Speier and Eshoo look ridiculous; they lose credibility with the community when they engage in this kind of behavior. Don't buy into the rancor of disgruntled individuals who have nothing better to do with their time than to try to ruin the lives and careers of others who've devoted their entire lifetimes to serving the people of our community.

Laurel Tremaine,

Belmont





Earth Day's origins

Dear Editor: I remember clearly the first impact after the formation of Earth Day. Democratic Sen. Gaylord Nelson's acquired love of Northern California recognized its unique but fragile attractions, and he recruited Rep. Pete McCloskey to pull together the nation's youth and tremendous energies into the formation of the first Earth Day in 1969.

Dennis Hayes, a student body president at Stanford then studying at Harvard, was persuaded to take on the organization of this enormous project.

President Nixon, fearful of the protests growing over the war in Vietnam was scared of this student environmental revolt and had the FBI monitor the first Earth Day. The first Earth Day on Sunday, April 22, 1970, became a nationwide student uprising committed to caring for our lands, beasts, birds, forests and water.

Between l971 and l974, the environmental enthusiasm produced a range of protections including McCloskey's "Endangered Species Act," which is being gutted today by the Bush administration.

In these endless months of the presidential campaign, it's good to remember these words by Polly Young-Eisendrath:

"At the very essence of what it means to be human, then, is the freedom to change. ... This can be realized only when we know our own intentions."

We want to find it possible to hope again. I have found the one candidate who has given me that courage. It's Earth Day today. McCloskey is out on his tractor on his organic farm today. His wife is bagging the last of their orange crop.

This is hope, working the land with care. Obama represents hope in politics. Good combination.

Trish Hooper,

Portola Valley



Unequal pay

Dear Editor: Working women in San Mateo County - and throughout the country - have something important in common today. It's the day we "catch up" with our male counterparts on the paycheck track. In other words, it takes about 14 months for women to earn what men earn in 12 months.

Generally, women are paid 77 cents for every dollar a man is paid, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The goal of National Equal Pay Day is to call attention to this disturbing fact.

Economist Evelyn Murphy, president and founder of The WAGE Project, estimates that the wage gap costs the average American full-time woman worker between $700,000 and $2 million over the course of her lifetime.

There were 70.2 million women aged 16 and over in the work force in 2007, a significant increase from 18.4 million in 1950. In 2007, women comprised 46 percent of the labor force. With more women in the work force, and more families reliant on women's paychecks, the U.S. must address the wage gap for the sake of American families and their financial stability.

Whether you are an employer, legislator, or an individual working woman, you can help close the wage gap:

Employers: Complete the self-audit available through the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau at: http://www.pay-equity.org/ cando-audit.html. This 10-step guide helps you analyze your company's practices.

Individuals: Let your congresswoman and senator know how important fair pay is to you. Ask them to co-sponsor current legislation that would help achieve fair pay. For example, Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Atherton, is co-sponsor of H.R. 1388, the Paycheck Fairness Act.

For more information, visit http://www.pay-equity.org/.

Margie O'Clair, commissioner,

commission on the Status of Women of San Mateo County