Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

To the Editor:

Assuming we have all the facts, and that is an assumption, it appears Senator Louise Lucas of Portsmouth tried to exert the power of her office in a situation where she had none. By injecting herself into this racial turmoil, and attempting to direct, control and sway outcomes, she forgot one very important thing: she represents ALL the people of her district, not just a select unhappy few.

Her attempt, on tape, to give vandals and rioters a green light without condemnation, at the very least warrants a senate ethics investigation and probable censure.

I can’t speak with any authority to the recall efforts. The fact that she is black and may have a personal kinship with some of the issues is irrelevant. This became secondary when she was sworn into office. For her to now say she was just an innocent bystander in all of this and following the direction of the City Manager is very troubling.

A very important question also is why has this been so quiet in the mass media? On the surface at least, it fuels the perception of a double standard run amok in this country. This has to stop and stop now.

Unchecked it is heading into dangerous territory to say the least.

Butch Shields

Franklin