Voice of the people

Punishment is inhumane

I am a bit of a procrastinator, but you did ask for responses to the recent column “Punishment too harsh for Facebook behind bars.”

I haven’t seen much in the paper since the letter writer said she thought 10 years in solitary confinement was OK for certain postings.

Ten years in solitary confinement is a crime against humanity bordering on terrorism. It is certainly torture, regardless of the reasons. Even a threatening posting on Facebook doesn’t deserve this kind of punishment.

This should not be an issue. Prisoners should not have access to Facebook. If they didn’t have Facebook, it would solve a lot of problems.

If Homeland Security can prevent contraband from entering an airplane by searching, etc., surely the prison system can do the same.

I hope the prison system will reassess its position on this matter.

Leaders should know culture

Andrew Dys strikes again. It never ceases to amaze me that the ones who cry prejudice the loudest are often the very ones who judge others with the same negative stereotypical slant.

A case in point was Dys’ article, “Winthrop: Southern culture required.” His diatribe was dripping with divisive sarcasm. He was insulting and dismissive of our community and our “Southern ways.”

Dys seems to think it unreasonable for Winthrop’s future president to have a knowledge of the culture surrounding the school. Who am I to say, but it seems to be a valid prerequisite to me.

I should think that people skills would come in handy for any position, especially one of leadership. Maybe it’s just me but I can see how a rude, demanding person might have a hard time fitting in anywhere, not just in the South.

Take heart, though, Mr. Dys. I think I have a bit of good news for you.

I have heard through an excellent source that there is an opening for unhappy transplants at the North Pole Press. I suggest you get a GPS, though, for I have a feeling that, bless your heart, you could not make it home without a map.

Consider the context

It really gets my attention when I hear a Democrat ask the question, what would Jesus do? They usually ask the question in the context of caring for the poor.

I wonder if they ask that same question when it comes to the issue of abortion.

This story was originally published March 11, 2015 at 1:01 PM with the headline "Voice of the people."