Posted by C.C. on December 18, 202003 at 11:03:17:
In Reply to: Re: Words of Wisdom?? posted by Love on December 18, 202003 at 10:24:46:
: : : : : : Just read the letter to the editor written by Dr. James Greenbaum expressing his opinion about "the statue" incident. His words reflect his character: gentle, reasonable, and wise. I'll bet he has seen enough heartache in his years of practice to put this incident into the perspective that he has. Wise men are hard to find but he is a gem. He is a voice of reason in the midst of chaos. I'd vote for him as Mayor or school board director in a minute. You go, Doc!
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: : : : : The only problem I have is that Dr. Greenbaum mentions that he is writing this letter, because he has known some of the the young adults for quite awhile. Would Dr. Greenbaum have written the same type of letter for some young adults he did not know? Would any doctor have written any letter for any of the kids, if they were not carrying community name recognition?
: : : : : Also, Dr. Greenbaum cites that John B. Ford would not act vindictive in this situation. That is a huge leap to make that assumption. From the things that I have read, Mr. Ford could sometimes be catankerous depending on an issue, so I think this unfair.
: : : : : Basically, let's call it for what it is, but let's not cloud the true picture here by making unknown assumptions by trying to sway public opinion.
: : : : : I still hold the opinion that something in the median, no felonies but stiff punsishment would satisfy most people, but a slap on the wrist, because we do not think John B. Ford would vindictive is really pushing it.
: : : : from Hope: I agree with you that something in the median is where it needs to be. I doubt that anyone believes the act deserves a mere slap on the wrist but I also think most of us think a conviction of felony would be an even greater crime than the one committed. I only felt that Dr. Greenbaum's words were a good balance for the initial inflammatory comments made by the mayor, which also had the power to sway public opinion. As far as Dr. Greenbaum writing the letter because he stated he has known these young adults and their families, I think the point needs to be made that these young men and woman are not your "usual suspects". They are essentially good people who did a bad thing. To me, this separates them from the people who consistently do bad things. I had never heard this before but if it is true what YOU say, that John B. Ford could sometimes be cantankerous, then thank God enough people excused this "bad thing" about him and remembered all the good he did for the community...in fact they overlooked it enough to erect a statue in his honor. Let's get him back where he belongs, execute a FAIR punishment for 8 young adults, and let them get on with their lives.
: : : So what you are saying is that if some young people that are in trouble all the time did this they would deserve a felony but since these are "good" kids (and for the record some have been in trouble and have had it swept under the rug already), they should be given a lesser penalty.You must be a Rush Limbaugh lover.So we are telling them go ahead and get in trouble , your importance in the community will get you off. I don't know that they need a felony charge but it is your attitude that stinks. So basically our legal system says that money and power can buy your way out. The two people that were accused of setting up a meth lab in the paper yesterday- what if they were the son's of a lawyer and doctor- would they receive a lesser charge in Armstrong County? I am sure they would.I am not picking on these kids but on the system, why should income , power, family ties, affect the law? But it does, all to often.
: : To Love-How can you compare setting up a meth lab to vandalising a statute in a city park? You need to get a grip.
: I am not comparing them JJ, I just stated the obvious, money, power, connections- they will get you off whatever the crime. Just because they were supposedly good kids that strayed this one time, everyone should excuse them and say we are sorry little darlings that we ruined your day, we won't punish you because you are more important than the average John Doe. Justice is not equal for all.Let's give them all a $100 gift certificate from the Armstrong County taxpayers for a job well done.
A crime is a crime... No matter who it is. I have seen too many times letting people get off because it's there first offense. Who's to say this wasn't there first time of doing something they should have not, but just got caught this time. Name, money... It should have nothing to do with what will come there way...Let's hope anyway..