DOMESTIC ABUSE CHARGES
Olson should resign
Accused State Rep. Mark Olson, R-Big Lake, must resign immediately ("Legislator faces charges of domestic assault," Nov. 14). Anything less belies the gravity of domestic abuse, spousal assault and women's rights.
Just three days after his eighth successful election to the Minnesota House, Olson was arrested at his home after an argument with his wife, Heidi. Olson admitted grabbing her by the shoulders and "placing" her on the ground.
He entered no plea during his court appearance, and his trial is set for Dec. 12. He was released without bail on the condition that he stay away from his wife and five children. "I have failed and I want to be responsible for that," he said.
Most disgusting of all, he said: "I'm grateful for my wife's ability to speak up." It isn't easy to speak out against domestic violence in a culture where victims, predominantly women, are blamed and questioned when they do raise their voices. That's why one of every three women you know probably haven't told you that she's suffered some form of violence at the hands of a partner. Awful statistics like these will carry on if we don't treat domestic violence as the serious crime it is.
ERIN MATSON, MINNEAPOLIS
BOARD MEMBER,
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN
From the Saint Cloud Times:
Letter: Officials don't always practice what they preach
By Denny Smith St. Cloud
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich resigned under pressure after cheating on his second wife. This came after he divorced his first wife while she was in the hospital with cancer.
State Rep. Mark Olson was recently charged with assault after throwing his wife to the ground three times during a domestic dispute.
What do these two men have in common? They are both leaders in the Republican Party's crusade to "save marriage" by banning gay people the right to civil unions.
Kind of reminds me of a conversation overheard at a coffee shop. "My ex-wife's daughter from her second marriage is the mistress of a congressman who thinks that gay people are a threat to the institution of marriage."
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