NEWS

August 5, 2008
Cease judging others and help abolish mandatory minimum sentencing

I was online reading a Letter to the Editor that an inmate, Mike Marit, wrote about some horrible comments that Dan Holman of Keokuk wrote: “Solution is simple - hang ‘em.”

That is the most deplorable statement I have heard, but in today's society I hear more ignorant comments like it being made. I think what people seem to forget is that we have all made mistakes in our lives - some worse than others - but we are all human. The men housed at the John Bennett Center are people who are paying for the mistakes they have made. I personally have spent some time with these great gentleman. Many of them are good people no matter what they have done and they are making amends for a past I believe they all wish they could change. I have not met one who did not face serious regret and true remorse for their actions.

When I hear comments like what Holman wrote it makes my blood boil with anger. These men are humans no matter what they did and do not deserve death or to be put down by a society that has no right to be judging anyone.

These men worked hard to protect a town that treats them with contempt because of where they are and their past indiscretions. As a Fort Madisonian I am thankful to all you men of John Bennett. I am honored in knowing you and fortunate to have spent time with some of you visiting when I come to see my brother-in-law. To those of you who shun these people I say back off and remember these gentlemen for the blessings they are. Without their work how would we have done as well as we did? I think instead of subjecting these men to more ridicule you should watch your own back because the guiltiest person is the one who can judge another while not seeing their own faults.

I have been to that prison and have seen the punishment that they are given ... they are treated with little to no rights and in some cases it borders on extreme. Do not punish them any more than what they have already been subjected to. Give them their humanity.

In closing, judge none, harm none and remember peace is in he that promotes love and friendship, not hatred. I also urge you to ask the governor who I have written to a couple of times (with no response) and Congress to drop the mandatory minimum sentencing. It will take care of the overpopulation problem.

Matthew J. Tippey

Fort Madison

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