Injustice prevents many from being, feeling free

I recently talked to a friend who is a Vietnam vet. I asked him what he thought we gained by fighting there. At first, he said the war kept China from taking over the country. I reminded him that 80 percent of what is sold in Wal-Mart comes from China. Later in the conversation he talked about freedom. He asked if I felt free. Actually, I don't.

I am not in jail but I feel that has more to do with luck than with freedom.

I don't feel free in a country that has 5 percent of the world's population and 25 percent of the world's prisoners. I don't feel free when there are more black young people in jail than college. I don't feel free in a country where I can be pulled over and fined for breaking a new law of which I have never heard.

I don't feel free when the police can hold a gun to my daughter's head and there is no recourse. I don't feel free when she is arrested, isn't allowed to make a phone call, and is locked up for four months without a lawyer.

I felt a little free when the case was dropped after a year but I don't feel free when I tell a lawmaker what happened and I am not believed. I don't feel free when a lawyer can charge $10,000 and then drop out before the case is over, due to conflict of interest.

I don't feel free when a friend can be stopped, be locked up four months, and given drugs against her will for "seeming unstable." I don't feel free when a racist can break into a Jewish friend's apartment and  police won't do anything other than tell the man to go to bed.

I feel lucky. (I only got a fine) but I certainly do not feel free.

ELAINE TORMEY

Sandpoint