BLAME THE CRIMINAL

The letter by Jeff Vessels, executive director of the ACLU in Kentucky, is
typical of the "blame someone else for my problems" society. Vessels'
attempt to use national averages against local averages is absurd. If you
are going to use statistics, use statistics in cities comparable to
Lexington or Louisville to make a point.

Vessels would have us believe that the justice system is at fault and not
the perpetrator. Vessels would have us believe that if a crime is
committed, color should be a factor in determining guilt or innocence.

He would have us believe that the police department is only interested in
stopping law-abiding citizens, not perpetrators of crimes. Vessels would
have us believe that if a person is black, he or she is a criminal by
birthright destined for prison.

Vessels would have us believe that "non-violent" drug possession should not
have prison implications, no matter how deadly the drug is or how many
times the person has been arrested. He would have you believe that it is
all racial.

Now, let's take the same statistics that Vessels quoted and ask: Were these
crimes actually committed? I am confident that court records will show that
they were.

I was taught to be responsible and accept the consequences of my actions. I
was not raised to blame my surroundings, background or someone else for my
problems or misdeeds.

Glenn Mabley

Lexington