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State will continue to grant mercy where it is appropriate

Re: A place for mercy, editorial, May 22.

Your editorial painted a simplified picture of a complicated clemency process. Clemency comes in various forms. Restoration of civil rights and alien status, full pardons and commutation of sentences are all forms of clemency. Of these, commutation of sentence is the most extraordinary, for it is an act that can literally reduce a lawfully imposed sentence, upon an extraordinary showing of merit, arising postconviction. It is not a form of clemency often justified.

Clemency is not designed to undermine a lawfully imposed sentence. You have asked me and the Executive Clemency Board to reduce a particular sentence because, in your view, it is "shockingly long."

The beauty of our justice system is the three branches of government are protected to ensure no one branch can usurp the power of another. It would be inappropriate for the clemency board to substitute its opinion of an appropriate sentence, for that of the trial judge, who received evidence of guilt and mitigation firsthand, and imposed a lawful sentence. This is especially true when an application ignores an applicant's poor behavior postconviction.

In the thousands of cases in which the board has granted clemency during my time as governor, compassion has been shown to those who have been deserving of it. In these cases, convicted persons have taken extraordinary actions, postsentencing, to right their wrongs. Their stories are inspirational, and recognize the resiliency of the human spirit and its ability to change.

I will continue to urge fellow members on the board to be sensitive to the efforts of convicted persons seeking clemency, and grant mercy where appropriate.

Gov. Jeb Bush, Tallahassee

A terrible misuse of the justice system

Re: A place for mercy, editorial, May 22, and related letters, May 26.

As a chaplain in a jail, I quickly learned that many of the young men in trouble came from wretched homes and were unable to tolerate the structured schools or society because they were seriously mentally ill.

The penitentiary long ago ceased being a place of penance, and rehabilitation became a thing of the past as tough drug laws filled the prisons to overflowing and then were often managed by the lowest private bidder. Unfortunately, in some sort of perverted punishment intended to "break his spirit," Adam Bollenback was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a typical petty teenage crime, stealing a six-pack of beer.

Now he may be in the worst possible environment to heal, to mature and to develop his budding judgment. This is a terrible, heartless and senseless misuse of our justice system.

Judge Ric Howard should heed the words of the prophet Micah: "He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

The Rev. Robert L. Johnson, Pinellas Park

The fellowship of veterans

In response to a statement by Janet Clark, Pinellas School Board member, regarding VFW Posts and schools sharing property, I would like to remind her that members of the VFW, American Legion and DAV do not go to their posts primarily to drink alcohol. They go to enjoy the fellowship of other veterans, both men and women, and share the experiences and the friendships of their comrades. They fought for the freedom of Janet Clark so that she may freely make such inane comments.

My goodness, we're not talking about sharing buildings with our children. It's just a parking lot.

Richard White, New Port Richey

Don't demean nonparents

Re: The baby shortage, May 24.

This paper has had a couple articles recently about people choosing not to have children as generations in the past have. I commend every parent out there who devotes him/herself to their children.

But it was Robert Samuelson's comments that inflame those of us who are not choosing motherhood. "By not having children, people are voting against the future." Do our careers, then, count for nothing? I teach 150 children each school year and am extremely fond of kids. My closest friend works for their welfare in the Department of Children and Families. Another dear friend chose not to have children because she wants to break the cycle of emotional abuse that scarred her childhood. How is this "against the future"?

He continues: "It is easy to imagine the sacrifices and disappointments of raising children. It is hard ... to imagine the intense joys and selfish pleasures." What is meant here? That nonparents are being selfish, or that it's hard to imagine the selfish pleasures of childbearing? Either way, it is bothersome.

If he means the former, how is devoting yourself to your career and friends and family selfish? If he meant the latter, we all know some parents who bore children for very selfish and foolish reasons.

Those of us without children are no less beloved than moms and dads. Don't demean us for planning our lives the way we have.

Sarah Lehrmann, Clearwater

A fear to bring children into the world

Re: The baby shortage, May 24.

Bob Dylan's 65th birthday was on May 24, so I submit a reason for the low European -- and perhaps Japanese - birthrates that Robert Samuelson discussed in this column.

About the masters of war, Dylan sang, "You've thrown the worst fear / That can ever be hurled / Fear to bring children / Into the world / For threatening my baby / Unborn and unnamed / You ain't worth the blood / That runs in your veins."

For centuries Europe lived under the masters of war. Perhaps Europe's worn out. America supposedly revolted against the ways of Old Europe. For my four kids, I hope we haven't ceded our Republic to our own masters of war.

J. Lee Campbell, Riverview

The father is not to blame

Re: Nature vs. Nurture, May 22.

To suggest that the behavior of a person who cares for animals could lead to child neglect is just absurd! On the contrary, most children who are raised to be good to animals grow up to be good to people. It's been well documented that many serial killers were animal abusers when they were children.

Jim Jablon's adult son made his own decision and his father's activities should not be a reflection of that choice anymore than another parent's career would. Jim is probably home more than most working parents! We should praise Jim for his work, not chastise him.

Linda Benlien, Spring Hill

Don't feed wild animals

My dad taught me from an early age, "Son, never feed wild animals. It only turns them into beggars and then they get killed." How wise my father was.

Feeding wild animals from alligators to bears is out of control in Florida. More people will be killed and injured because they don't know other people are feeding the animals. The animals start thinking all people are a food source - or just plain food.

When you feed any wild animal you create a "nuisance animal" that will have its normal life span cut on average by 50 percent. This is because it will constantly interact with humans and will be killed either on purpose or by accident!

If you ever get the overwhelming urge to feed something wild, please feed the homeless instead. They sure need and appreciate it a whole lot more.

Russ Rector, Fort Lauderdale

[Last modified May 29, 2006, 05:36:20]