Proud of city for standing up for what is right

Regarding the story in the Sept. 21 edition of the Simi Valley Acorn, here's a question to ponder: "What if my friend broke the law, and I then allowed him to seek refuge in my house or business, and on top of that, I publicly announced I was doing it and, with absolute arrogance, thumbed my nose at all those paid to enforce the law?"

You know as well as I that there would be police officers at my door with a warrant for both our arrests. Why then is this woman, and for that matter, Pastor Goudey, still here? She's breaking the law as well.

Your editorial in the same issue made mention of the fact that Simi Valley has had to fight off the socalled "reputation of intolerance" or "unfriendliness" created by the Rodney King trial years ago.

If that's what it takes to regularly rank as one of the safest cities in America year after year, then call me intolerant. There, I said it: "I am intolerant of those who knowingly break the law."

I promise I am in the majority when I say that, as I would be in any town, anywhere. The church deserves to be treated like any other house or business in America. It shouldn't matter whether it's a house of God or a house of pancakes. You harbor a law breaker, you are a law breaker.

As a result of Pastor Goudey's decision to harbor a criminal, the SVPD had to respond in a manner that would best protect and serve the citizens of Simi Valley- a response which nevertheless took them away from regular duties and that may have even hindered their ability to respond to a violent crime against you and yours.

The UCC should pay for that. I commend the city and its law enforcement for having the courage to stand up for the taxpayers by demanding UCC pay for all costs associated with Sunday's protest.

The protest took place because a law was broken and the law breaker was still on the premises. Pastor Goudey is directly responsible for the events that took place that day, and it's about time an American city had the fortitude to take this kind of action. I am proud to see my city stand up for what's right.

If more cities in this country were just as unfriendly toward or intolerant of illegal criminals, our nation's prison population would be reduced by 30 percent. Now of course Liliana doesn't deserve to be in prison, but she doesn't deserve to be in this country either. Scott Keller Simi Valley