Crimes in US Under Rated, Over Exaggerated in Italy

It is remarkable how myopic and blinded the US is to it's Gang Violence problem, and absolutely paranoid (assisted by Bush that preaches "fear") about so called domestic terrorism,BUT is so critical about crime in other countries, especially Italy.

For instance, The Federal Bureau of Investigations reported that in 2006 there are almost 30,000 gangs, 800,000 members in the USA,, and over 2,500 areas of the USA are affected, and there were 670,000 Firearm Assaults in the US between 2001-2005. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/154465/gang_violence_in_america.html

There are 15,000 Gang related deaths each year in the USA. That is 5 World Trade Centers each year, year after year.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_gang_related_deaths_occur_within_the_US_each_year

We have a HUGE "Security Force" looking for Muslim Terrorists, are finding NONE, and NoOne seems Concerned about the

REAL GANG (Terrorist) THREAT !!!

Our comparable View of ourselves and the world is DISTORTED, and our Understanding of what the REAL THREAT to us is CONTORTED.

Christine, as a mere reporter I don't expect you to know much, or rise above stereotypes, BUT , I suggest you get your facts straight, and get your own house in order, before you pass judgement on others.

Incidentally, Violent crime is up nearly 6 percent in Chicago compared with last year, based on data from January through March.

The biggest rise has been in robberies up 16.3 percent There were 87 killings through the first three months, down from 88 this time last year. http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/04/29/chicago.violence/

Thanks to Rosario A. Iaconis ofThe Italic Institute of America for responding to this Chicago Tribune article !

Italy Fights Crime

Chicago Tribune

July 13, 2008

Letters to The Editor:

This is in response to "Winners at Cannes are hits in Italy too" (News, July 7).

Despite Tribune reporter Christine Spolar's assertions regarding "the relentless criminality of Italian society," citizens up and down the Magic Boot stand shoulder to shoulder in support of Rome's sinewy anti-Mafia efforts.

Unlike other nations that simply talk about declaring war on crime and terrorism, Italy has long been in the forefront of the struggle to root out evildoers, big and small.

Having weathered the depredations of the Red Brigades in the late 1970s and the Mafia in the early 1990s, the Italians coupled a superior intelligence network with muscular commando units to capture the likes of Patrizio Peci, a key member of the Red Brigades, and Toto Riina, the Mafia's "boss of all bosses."

They also rescued American Brig. Gen. James Dozier in the 1980s, decimating the Red Brigades.

With the capture of Salvatore Lo Piccolo in Sicily not long ago, Italy continues its highly successful campaign to crush the Mafia.

And the Italians' show of unity in bolstering the "pentiti" informer system demonstrates how a democracy can adopt draconian measures yet still uphold the rule of law.

Rosario A. Iaconis
Vice chairman
The Italic Institute of America
Mineola, NY.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/print/chi-0713vplettersbriefs5jul13,0,2599924.story