Be smart, play nice with police

I've been reading multiple stories police abuse. The abuse often begins in routine traffic stops which rapidly escalate into deadly encounters.

I was taught by my parents at a very young age to respect law enforcement. I learned at around 14 or 15 that being a smart mouth with a very large sergeant of the Columbus Police Department got me nowhere very quickly. He went upside my head with his flashlight and informed me, "Son you've been watching too much TV" after I told him he couldn't do something I didn't like.

Now that was around 1977, and obviously a lot has changed, My point is when an officer approaches a car. it's OK to ask why you were pulled over, but by law, citizens are required to obey simply requests. Citizens who do not do what they are told bring unnecessary grief upon themselves.

Citizens do have rights. If you do not want your car searched, simply answer no if you are asked. We have the right not to incriminate ourselves, to remain silent. In our world of litigation everyone is suing everyone. Police now wear cameras, which I'm a firm believer are needed.

Take the time to talk to your kids about respect towards everyone. Teach them to respect law enforcement and to close their mouths and open their ears while being addressed by an officer. Law enforcement are humans with one hell of a tough job; now days coming home safe each night to their families can be a difficult task. I really appreciate our local police department and the great job they do keeping our streets safe. I also respect them as I was taught as a child. It's really not that difficult, folks.

C.R. Kruger

Smiths

Bought and paid for

America is a rigged game. Millions of dollars are going into presidential campaigns by a small number of people. Us chickens can only hope that the donators have the same ideas as we do about politics, because our paltry little campaign contributions will be nothing by comparison.

I think we need to un-fraud our government. America needs to set up a fourth branch of government called the Elections Branch that will oversee elections and see to it that as many contenders and ideas as possible can be involved in the process and that no single entity or person can overwhelm the process, including foreign money.

As it stands right now I am pledging allegiance to a flag that is purchasable by the highest bidder, under The Sugar Daddy Devil.

Jack Tidwell

Columbus

Mandatory sentencing

I read the article "Mandatory Sentencing" (July 26). First some facts. There are over 2,200,000 persons in jail. Twenty-four percent are illegals not held for deportation at a cost of over $1.5 billion dollars a year.

States have minimum sentencing guidelines and the federal government has minimum guidelines which may be added to the state minimums. Mr. William Otis promotes its benefits and in a just and fair nation it would be fair to all. But there are too many variables that affect the sentencing.

Judges are supposed to sentence without bias; however, we have seen several judges impose sentences because of bias for or against the defendant or based on the type of crime committed. There are also some judges who have been swayed by the defendant's lawyer. Prosecutors will recommend sentences but these may reflect plea bargains in order to expedite a case or to obtain info on others involved. These bargains superseded the judge's decision.

Defense lawyers often seek plea bargains including the reduction of a charge to help their client who is paying good money to avoid jail time. All these factors disrupt the mandatory minimums prescribed by law.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kevin Ring suggests minimums do not work and cites Professor Levitt's writings as gospel on the failures. Repeatedly others have found flaws in those writings. Evidence suggests that approximately 76 percent of those released commit another crime.

We cannot continue housing criminals forever, and our methods so far have been very costly (on average about $40,000 per year per inmate plus medical expenses). We need to execute repeat murderers, rapists, pedophiles and drug dealers, not in 30 years but in three years. Drug and alcohol users should be required to take rehab plus random drug testing for up to a year rather than jail.

Buster McGregor

Phenix City

Thanks and wishes

To our wonderful newspaper which I read faithfully every morning. The subject I am writing about is the John B. Amos Cancer Center. They are the most wonderful people in the world.

Let me explain. I have Stage 4 cancer. Five weeks of radiation got rid of the cancer of my brain. Now I am going through chemotherapy for the rest of my body. It is pretty tough. But I am going to make it!

The staff on all three floors are wonderful and dedicated people. Always smiling and upbeat. While in there I asked to speak to some about "Make a Wish Foundation." I was told it was for children 18 years old or younger -- which is wonderful.

My wish is: I am 62 years old and I have four grown children. Under circumstances my children and I have not sat at the dinner table all together for about 30 years. My wish is to take just my children (no spouses or their children) and go to the beach somewhere to be together as a family should. That would bring all of us closer together and leave a legacy for my children the rest of their lives. Do you know a "Make a Wish" for adults?

Alice Bowling

Columbus

This story was originally published August 12, 2015 at 4:32 PM with the headline "Be smart, play nice with police ."