Editorials
Monday, September 1, 1997PRINCESS Diana's death in a Paris auto crash gave a tragic ending to a life that captured the imagination and affection of people throughout the world. She was a woman of great beauty, charm and compassion. Now the world weeps for a gentle, noble princess who became an eloquent spokeswoman for such causes as the victims of AIDS and land mines. Diana is mourned
throughout the worldDiana married the heir to the British crown in a wedding out of a storybook, but Diana and Charles did not live happily ever after. The massively publicized reports of their marital difficulties and subsequent divorce embarrassed the royal family and clouded Charles' status as the future king. Diana's search for happiness with Dodi Fayed, an Egyptian playboy notorious for his womanizing, must have been humiliating for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. The fact that her quest ended in this dreadful manner must be particularly distressing for the queen because the failure of Diana's marriage set off the chain of events that ended with her death.
After her marriage, Diana quickly became the most popular member of the royal family. She won the sympathy of the British public as Charles' revived affair with an old flame became known.
It was reported that Charles married Diana solely to provide him with children and ensure the succession. His frequent absences lent credibility to reports that he soon lost interest in her.
Evidently out of loneliness and a feeling of abandonment, Diana had affairs of her own. The situation developed into a nightmare for the queen and Prince Philip, who struggled to maintain respect for the institution of the monarchy. Diana's death may produce more criticism of the royal family and further erode support for the monarchy. It is even possible that Charles will be passed over in the succession in favor of his son, William, as a result of this debacle.
Journalists winced when it became known that free-lance photographers called paparazzi were chasing Diana's car on motorcycles and may have contributed to her death. Reports suggest that the car was traveling far above the speed limit in an attempt to escape from the pursuing photographers when the driver, who had been drinking, lost control. The stalking and pursuing of celebrities has become a blight on journalism. Editors must set out clear guidelines for the operations of these celebrity photographers and refuse to publish pictures taken in violation of the guidelines. The public, for its part, must realize that its appetite for such products of voyeurism is the reason for their existence. There is scant regard for the effect of such intrusions on the subjects. Diana's death could strike a blow for the right of privacy -- even for celebrities.
UNDER Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, New York City has seen a dramatic decrease in crime. Between 1993 and 1996, murder dropped 49 percent and auto theft 47 percent. This year the numbers continue to decline. Police brutality
However, accompanying the praise for the New York Police Department's successes have come complaints of police brutality. Although there have been a number of other incidents, one recent case has ignited an explosion of protest.
Abner Loima, an immigrant from Haiti, was allegedly beaten and sodomized with a wooden stick by police officers at a stationhouse in Brooklyn after his arrest at a nightclub on disorderly conduct charges. Loima suffered a ruptured colon and bladder. He is suing the city for $55 million.
Such outrages are intolerable, but the Loima case is likely to have benefits because the uproar over it will force the department to institute closer checks on police behavior.
Police work is demanding and often dangerous, but abuses of police authority cannot be excused for that reason. Some misconduct -- but not all -- can be prevented by careful screening of applicants and training of police recruits. The firmest measures must be taken against the abusers who somehow slip through.
However, the backlash from the Loima case must not result in abandonment of aggressive police tactics. Some of the protesters want that, but certainly not the general public. The police should be aggressive but not brutal.
Rupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor
