Likely delay in trial raises a constitutional concern
I am writing in reference to your July 6 story, “Murder suspects in holding pattern”:
I do not wish to make any comments about their possible guilt or innocence of this crime.
Your story says that their trials are at least two years away. I did do some reading about the Sixth Amendment tonight, and there is a lot of ambiguity about it. I just question whether “two years” meets the requirements of a “speedy trial.”
I know and admit that our justice system is overwhemed and underfunded. I just do not want to see those that are truly guilty get off because they did not have a “speedy trial.”
Perhaps the status of our justice system might make a major story.
ó Bill McCranie
Salisbury
Troops really take the heat
It’s hot, hot, hot.
That’s what I hear all day from customers at Wal-Mart. Yes, it’s hot. But every time someone says it’s hot, I think of our troops in Iraq, where it’s 120 degrees, and they are in full battle gear. Most people here really don’t know what hot is.
During the Korean War, I did my part for Uncle Sam. In North Africa, it got to 130-135 degrees. We lived in tents without air-conditioning or even a fan. In the mid-1960s, I spent one tour in Vietnam, which was also hot in more ways than one. But I still think of our troops in Iraq every time I hear the word hot.
ó James Ferguson
Woodleaf
Take inspiration from flag
Before the fireworks in Faith Friday night, the firefighters raised the most beautiful American flag between two firetrucks. But as the smoke from the fireworks obscured it, I realized that every American, native-born or immigrant, takes that flag and America for granted every day.
We see that flag everywhere, and it reminds us that we can choose our leaders, express our opinions openly, go where we want, dress as we choose and worship our way.
Our lives aren’t shattered by suicide bombers, nor are our houses and businesses destroyed by bombings, and we’re not dodging sniper fire.
That flag, that beautiful, wonderful flag, stands for freedom, but freedom isn’t free. It’s hard-fought and hard-won. It’s hard to convince other countries and peoples of this fact when they’ve been fighting each other every day for years (even centuries) to possess a country. Our servicemen and -women ó who weren’t drafted, by the way, and are where they are because they chose a branch of service ó are doing what they can to prevent terror from leaving those countries and bleeding into ours.We need to stand behind our servicemen and -women, with understanding, encouragement and prayers if we want “Old Glory” to continue to fly over this country we call home.
Faith, the fireworks were beautiful and heartwarming. It was a wonderful display, and I hope every one appreciated it.
ó Christine A. Granniss
Cleveland