Assault on the innocent

<p>In November, I attended a birthday party for Doris Bardon. It was an honor. There must have been over a hundred people there to express their admiration. Her charm, intelligence and knowledgeable efforts on behalf of Gainesville are legendary.<br/></p><p> Thank God, she is recovering from the assault she suffered recently. How ironic that she should be the target of a senseless act. Yet, it is not surprising. Our society is violent and assaults against vulnerable people are every day occurrences.<br/></p><p> This is the level of civility of our society. The older person and the child are brutalized and battered and there is a moral void that feeds on the helpless like vultures.<br/></p><p> The crack in the veneer of civilized social behavior widens daily. A call for more police protection may help on occasion, but the drive to destroy a human being won't respond to policing.<br/></p><p> We have a cancer feeding on the innocent in our society and it has to be addressed. Many times the pain and suffering to the victim and their families is irrevocable. The stolen purse is gone, but the injuries inflicted will last much longer. A "quick fix" for the mugger and a long convalescence for Doris.<br/></p><p> Whoever did this is still around. Such people have to be convinced to treat others as they would wish to be treated. Being pursued like a hunted animal is no life for anyone.<br/></p><p> <b>Estelle Aden</b>,</p><p> Gainesville</p>