Grieving families on all sides

In the rush of unspeakably deep emotion surrounding the loss of our two officers and the agony it causes to their families, colleagues and the community, I also think of the family of the other person who died. That family's grief must be no less profound, at not being able to influence his behavior, of the horror of being associated with such a tragedy, and the personal loss of one they must have cherished even as they might not have understood. Mental illness wreaks havoc on families, and they must be suffering, too.

Angie Christmann, Santa Cruz

Celibacy does not factor into abuse

I agree with March 10's editorial that the Catholic Church has some issues. When the abuse scandal broke a decade ago, they should have simply opened the books and laid everything on the table instead of letting old stories trickle out for years and years. However, the editorial appears to perpetuate a myth that abuse is more common with celibate priests. It's not. Insurance companies insure the Catholic Church against abuse cases at the same rate as other religions. They find it's just as likely for a married Christian minister or a Rabbi to abuse a child as a Catholic priest.

Andrew Thomas, Santa Cruz

Panetta cartoon unwarranted