Court Decision on Victims’ Suits

* Re “High Court Rejects U.S. Law Allowing Civil Suits in Rapes,” May 16: Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), quoting Alexander Hamilton, stated the Constitution reserves to the states the “ordinary administration of criminal and civil justice.”

Just where was the administration of justice for rape victim Christy Brzonkala? The school thought it was more important to have a football player than justice. The local prosecutors failed to contribute to justice. When a city fails to act, the state often steps in. What is the difference between that and the federal government stepping in when a state fails to act?

DALE PROCTOR

San Clemente

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If Americans need another reason to vote this fall, they have it now with the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision denying victims of rape, spousal abuse and other sexual violence the right to sue their attackers. In fact, many hate crime laws now appear unenforceable.

The same five justices voted in January to deny state employees the right to sue for age discrimination. The next president may get a chance to appoint--and the Senate to confirm--one justice who can swing the court majority the other way. Women, minorities and older Americans will never have a more important opportunity to influence the election of a president and senators.

FORREST G. WOOD

Bakersfield