Crimes by the Mentally iIl

In light of the continued debate on firearms and the mentally ill,  The Arizona Republic published article on "Rule 11." Rule 11 (the law that allows mental ill charged with a crime to be referred to the civil mental health system) is a travesty of justice.  The mentally ill are not exempt from the consequences of their criminal behavior as is any other citizen.   Fifteen years as a licensed clinician in Arizona working with the mental ill, I have seen many mentally ill defendants who have committing heinous violent crimes, go unpunished under Rule 11.  The civil mental health system have no authority over those who commit a crime and have been referred to their system under Rule 11, nor should they.

The solution already is at hand.  Using the Republics case,  hitting a child in the face with a stone is felony assault.  This defendant is found unable to understand the court proceeding  or assist in his own defense.  He is also unable to understand he is to appear in court and then is subject to pre-trial detention.  Instead of jail he is sent the State Mental Hospital not to exceed 90 days without a court hearing.  He is still charged with a felony and will receive credit for time served. He is to be stabilized on medication and supported until he understands his defense and court proceedings. Once this is accomplished he is returned to the court system for adjudication of his crime, with the assistance of a case manger to monitor his mental health.  Should the defendant be found guilty of the crime his mental illness should be considered in his sentencing.

Rule 11, forces the civil mental health system to intervene with a mental ill defendant with no authority.  The rule allows violent criminals back on the street, with inadequate supervision. It creates a danger to others from those who act out violently while suffering a psychotic episode. Rule 11 may be fine in theory but does not work in the real world and should be eliminated. This one way to assure that the criminally mental ill cannot purchase a fire arm

Police Violence

I wish to comment on your editorial dated Wednesday ,Sept 16,  titled "Police are under attack and we're all less safe."  Violent crime in Phoenix is pretty much the same fluctuating from year  to year by a small amount slightly up so far this year.  Police statistics indicate that most violent crime is committed in low income neighborhoods, which is no surprise.  The attempt to create a  state of fear by this editorial it is not there. The problem is the "Blue Wall" that wall that protects "bad" police officers. Thousand of police officers in this country go about their business never pulling their fire arm,  choking or  slamming someone  to the ground in an arrest or causing  any harm to the citizens they serve and protect.  Incidents that have been referenced in the editorial and many others most to the officers had a history of violence or psychological issues , but still remained on the police force. They are  protected by the "Blue Wall. " Other police officers who will not report bad violent cops. The unions that protect them.  The administration that do not want to admit liability. The citizen review boards that over turn firings. The juries that will not convict them.  The Districts Attorneys and Judges that ignore the violence perpetrated in an arrest.  Here-to-fore of little concern to the press.  Citizens need to remember in our criminal justice system only the police are judge, jury and executioner.  Wielding this  immense power  these police office need to be of the highest integrity.

In support the Nuclear Treaty with Iran.  I know it was said that all republicans in congress are to not pass anything that the Presidents supports, but on occasion they do.  Yes this treaty is flawed. Yes Iran cannot be trusted. With all the rhetoric, when was the last time any Middle East government mounted serious arracks on Israel.  (Israel is to powerful and the cost is too high.)  Iran will build a nuclear weapon, if we can delay it so much the better.  We also need a balance power in the Middle East.  The U.S. is looking at Sunni-Shiite civil war backed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar billionaires and other rich Sunnis and revenues. Iran offers that balance of power.  

This treaty should not be defeated because of petty politics. This would be a spit in the face of the international community who support this treaty.   These nations will confirm the treaty and trade with Iran  just as China and Russia do now.

White House F--K UP

The delay of implementing AHCA for business is a gross lack of leadership. Business is bluffing and the White House blinked. Business implements healthcare plans all of the time they tend to change them every few years.  Anything that needed modification should have been done long ago. They can implement this plan they just don't want to and you all back down. This is a cowardly act on your part.  Finally we are going to have universal healthcare; but the White House is going screw it up to the point the Republicans can sell it to the people that it is such disaster, it needs to be dismantled.

  Ted Kennedy is rolling over in his grave.

Richard Ward PhD

 

Arm the Syrians rebels?

 

Yes!

If Assad wins this civil war Syria will become a failed state and l will suffer continued guerrilla action for years to come, keeping it a weak and unstable government.  Syria will be so crippled it will longer be an ally of Iran but an Iranian puppet state, dangerous to the region.  This Fact has become very clear to countries like Libya, Jordan and the Saudis, etc.

As reported by Reuters News: “… the rebel Free Syrian Army warned that it might target Hezbollah on its home turf.”  The Opportunity has presented itself to severely cripple Hezbollah, which can bring increased stability and boarder security to Israel. Over the long run, with Hezbollah no longer a force in Lebanon, it will be freed from Syrian and Iranian pressure hopefully increasing greater stability. And as aside, the 1982 attack by Hezbollah on a US Marine Barracks in Beirut killing 241 men needs to avenged

It is doubtful that there will a political solution to this civil war and in this case it is better be back the possible (not confirmed) devil we do not know vs the one we do.

The Republic gets it right

Bravo to you Laurie Roberts for focusing articles on the duplicity and lack of integrity in the Mayor’s office.  Pointing out that the city administrator is protecting his $43,000 + raise by playing Chicken Little “the police and fireman are going away.”  Point out the unwillingness and lack of intestinal fortitude of the Mayor to keep his campaign promises and make hard choices to streamline city government.  Pointing out that The Mayor and those on the City Council would rather do business as usual than eliminate the burden of the “Food Tax” at the financial expenses to those who have lost their jobs in this continuing recession.  Again Bravo to you Laurie Roberts

Phoenix City Food Let the Poor Eat Cake a solution

I have made it known to your office that I oppose the food tax and I have listened to your sound argument that it will expire by next budget cycle, which is too long, in my opinion.  There is compromise, a win, win situation which is not always the case for compromise.  Since it is coming back before the council, consider this, join the 1^st Ladies’ war on obesity:

1.      Eliminate tax on all food basics, i.e. milk, meat, bread etc.

2.      Tax all non-food essentials, chips, soda, candy etc.

3.      Tax fast food, Big Mac, Taco Bell etc.

4.      Adjust tax amount for items in #2 & #3 to make up and even exceed the loss of revenue from #1

If those of limited income do to loss of jobs or the working poor choose to use their limited funds on junk food so be it, the do not have my support. They do have my support that they should not be forced be taxed for the necessities of life.  Rebrand it as a Fat tax and become forward thinking health conscious public servants.