Military training would solve teen problems
Staff writer Shelly Bradbury’s April 29 article, “How to Make a Marine,” was outstanding.
It would be well deserving if all high school (and perhaps college) teachers took a few days at Marine Recruit Depot at Parris Island, S.C. Better yet, all high school males, especially drop-outs, should be required to serve six months in a branch of our armed services or in some volunteer capacity. It would make our country a better and less violent place to live.
Sgt. F. McGee USMC
Lookout Mountain, Ga.
Donna Horn deserves school board re-election
Donna Horn has proudly served her constituents in District 7 as a Board of Education member. She has worked with parents, students, teachers and principals for the betterment of their respective schools. She has dedicated numerous hours of her time as a retired teacher to improve teaching and learning.
During the last four years, some decisions have been tough; you may not have agreed with all of them. However, a board member can only vote with the information given at the time. I truly believe Donna Horn has researched, questioned and carefully considered her decisions for the best of both teachers and students.
Re-elect Donna Horn this Aug. 4.
Sandy Hughes
Death penalty likely Supreme Court issue
Without question, the Constitution requires the president in office to nominate a replacement on the Supreme Court, and the Congress has the duty to review the candidate, and after due consideration to confirm or deny. This should be done.
What is expected of a Supreme Court justice? He should view the Constitution as a “living document,” taking into account “text, history, tradition, the purpose of the statute and the consequences,” the standards applied by Justice Stephen Breyer.
Values remain. Circumstances change.
While the court normally abides by the age-old requirement of Stare Decisis, that is, to let the court’s decision stand and not be reversed, this standard has not been upheld when the Supreme Court concludes that subsequent circumstances determine the previous decision is unconstitutional as in the case of Brown vs the Board of Education.
Without doubt the court will review the death penalty first approved by the Supreme Court in 1976 before DNA, which alone or with other evidence has freed over 150 death row inmates, many of them having lived in solitary confinement under inhumane conditions for decades. The Constitution prohibits “cruel and unusual punishment.” This will be the issue.
John Bratton
Sewanee, Tenn.