Timely tribute to Wickham
As a personal tribute to Neal Wickham, I wish to make a comment regarding the Ledger-Enquirer's front page article of May 20 announcing his death.
The article stated that Neal lived long enough to take a ride down the whitewater course not long after it opened. Let me explain.
Our Columbus whitewater course was dedicated on Memorial Day weekend, 2013. There was a memorable opening ceremony on Rock Island with the requisite speeches and acknowledgements. Shortly thereafter was the Inaugural Whitewater Run of the course. Neal Wickham was in the lead raft, front seat, of that inaugural 'GO' through the wave-shaper — the first official run!
I had the privilege of sitting next to Neal on that Inaugural Whitewater Run and can still hear his chuckles and laughter during the run. As the rapids increased, so did his exuberance and laughter. It was obvious that it was a great day in the life of this iconic gentleman.
Thank you, Neal, for your wisdom and vision. You will be missed.
Edward B. Kinner, Columbus
We’re not idiots
Writing in the June issue of The American Legion magazine, Senator David Perdue (R-GA) gives us combat veterans his reasons for refusing to consider President Obama's nomination for the U.S. Supreme Court. I can only conclude they think we are some kind of stupid.
Perdue makes this statement: "Nowhere does it (the Constitution) say that the Senate should hold hearings or votes on these nominees." Of course, the senator is correct. But how does he propose for the Senate to perform the "advice and consent" required by the Constitution without holding hearings?
Perdue also has this to say: "I believe we should allow the American people to have a voice in this process."
The American people have a voice, expressed in 2012 when they reelected President Obama. If a Democrat is elected in November, is Perdue going to say we must wait four more years until the next election so the American people will “have a voice"?
Carl L. Hess, Ozark, Ala.
Color lines
As a native of Columbus, where I graduated from Jordan high school in 1962, I left to join the service right after I graduated. I have now moved back to Columbus after being gone for 50 years. Columbus has changed a lot over the years, but one thing has not: segregation!
I just noticed the photos of the graduation of Northside and Kendrick. Totally black in the case of Kendrick, and only token blacks at Northside. How did this happen? Opening the schools in north Columbus has almost ruined Jordan. They have no chance to have a balanced socioeconomic class body. Who's responsible for this?
Larry Fountain, Columbus
Bravo
On Saturday evening, May 21, my wife and I went to see "The Mystery of Irma Vep," a comedic production of the Columbus Repertory Theater. While I am certainly no theater critic, the play was excellent! The set was believable, the music appropriate, and the lighting professional.
Indeed, two actors performed seven roles — all rendered with skill, enthusiasm and intelligence. This three-act parody exuded energy, wit, and youthfulness. The only challenging aspect of the evening was the dearth of downtown parking … and that is good.
Kudos to these kids and to Larry Dooley, managing director and chairman of the Department of Theater, CSU.
Tommy Lawhorne, Columbus
Moral choice
In 2011, German scientists found a connection between violent behavior and deficiency of a gene that codes for the enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). This enzyme breaks down potent neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. If left unchecked, these chemicals can build up in brain cells and cause a loss of impulse control and an increase in violence and rage.
In 2015, Finn scientists studied the genetic makeup of 900 prison inmates, both violent and nonviolent. They found that violent offenders have a deficiency of a gene that codes for the enzyme monoamine oxidase-A (MAOA). This enzyme, like COMT, breaks down dopamine and serotonin.
The Finn scientists said the two mutated genes are rather common in the general population, but the vast majority of people don’t commit violent crimes. Similarly, some people without the gene variants commit violent crimes.
These studies shed light on the nature-versus-nurture debate. While genes influence behavior, they do not determine it. In fact, environmental factors remain the strongest predictors of behavior.
We are all products of genetics and the environment, but this does not rob us of free will or understanding right and wrong.
Salman Elawad, Phenix City
This story was originally published May 23, 2016 at 2:18 PM with the headline "Timely tribute to Wickham."