Letters
2
WEÓNEsdAy,
J anuary
Opinion
JO, 2002
All signed letters to the editor should be 500 words or less and will
considered for publication if submitted by 1 pm the Friday prior
publication. Letters to the Editor are subject to editing. We reserve i
right to not publish any letter.
Racing revs hearts, loses lives
ported in Vancouver, Wash., just
a few weeks ago, also from street
racing.
Portland Police
Chief Mark
Kroeker held
a news con
ference on
Tuesday and
stated that
Salena De La Cruz street racers
will
be
Opinion Editor
charged to the
full extent of
deep-seated desires to put the the law. He added that at the
pedal to the metal. It seems like very least reckless driving, a
a scene from a movie, such as Class A misdemeanor, would al
“The Fast and the Furious,” but low them to tow vehicles and ar
it’s not. It’s real life and people rest offenders.
are dying because challenges are
The most recent deaths were
being made in a dangerous game from spur-of the-moment en
of street racing.
counters rather than the orga
In the past six weeks Portland nized events the police are used
has seen six people die as a re to. Last summer hundreds of
sult of street racing. In the most people congregated on Friday
recent, Trisha Thornton was in a and Saturday nights to race, ille
car with her boyfriend Adam gally. However, due to winter
Ames when another driver came rains they have since closed
alongside them and the race be down. Most are reported as say
gan on Northeast Glisan and ing they are drawn to the scene
139th in Gresham. It came to a for the adrenaline rush, the thrill
screeching halt when Ames lost of being chased by cops and
control and hit a pole, killing his party atmosphere. I say, you
girlfriend. Two deaths were re- want a rush, go bungee-jumping.
The smell of gasoline and the
revving of engines, mixed with
the pulsing of heartbeats and an
adrenaline rush, compiled with
Say It Loud
&
Proud!
Luke Mahan
Staff:
- Jesse Gurzynski
Erinn Lerten
Elisabeth Meyer
Bryan Davidson
Jeff Heilman
You want to party, put your keys
away. If you want to be chased
by cops, you’re sick if you want
to end up in jail and meet Bubba.
Currently, Gresham has a law that
is to deter spectators as well. In
the spring Portland hopes to put
that same plan into effect. It is
to go after the spectators. They
hope to cite everyone who is in
volved in street racing, such as
timers, flaggers, drivers and spec
tators.
I’m all for the no guts no glory
theory, but time for a reality
check, people. This isn’t the
movies. The six dead people are
not going to get up and du
themselves off at the end of tl
reel. They have left this wor
and there are people that wi
miss them. Many people’s liv<
have been forever changed bi
cause engines revved and gasi
line fumes clogged in the air. Ne
time you’re at a stop light an
someone next to you revs the
engine and gives you that loc
that he is ready to take on tt
world, smile, wave and shal
your head no. The adrenalii
rush is may seem worth it, b
it's short-lived, and the loss <
lives lasts forever.
Mollie Frey
Art Department secretary
"No... There is a time and place
for everything and streets aren't
for racing."
Major: Undecided
"In designated areas, yes."
Secretary:
◄
JoAnne Gale
Adviser:
Patty Mamula
(x2310)
Goals:
The Clackamas Print aims to re
port the news in an honest, unbi
ased, professional manner. The
opinions
expressed
in
Paul Kester
Eryn Henry
Major: Psychology
Major: Corrections
"I do it, but only when it's safe.
When both people are
agreeable."
"I don't think it should be done
on any busy streets at all. Ihav
a friend that broke his arm
because of that"
The
Clackamas Print do not necessar
ily reflect those of the student
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faculty, or The Clackamas Print
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The
Clackamas Print.
The Clackamas Print is a weekly
Kenniston Vogel
Stephanie Neuhauser
Major : Criminal Justice
Major: Criminal Justice
"On public streets, no. There
are plenty of designated areas."
"No, it's not right for people to
street race. People can
die...People that street race
should be put in jaiL"
publication and is distributed ev-
ery Wednesday except during Fi
nals Week. The Clackamas Print
Copyright 2001.
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Photos and quotes compiled by
Salena De La Cruz and Maggie
Jirasek