OPINION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2008/News-Leader VIEWPOINT/DIANA MARTINES/FERNAN Guide our ( I feel the need to respond to a Viewpoint by Don Jones that you published last week ("It's time to deal with crime, gangs," Feb. 6). Everyone should have an opinion and should be able to voice their opinion. However just because he decides to exercise his right to freedom of speech does not mean you have to print such a negative arti- cle generalizing our youth. To respond to a few of his "proposals": "Much of the violent crime we are experiencing around the area is undoubtedly gang-based and much of it is drug based." Where does this information come from? Did you read a crime statistic for the Nassau County or Duval County area that I have not seen? Or because you "feel" this way you are now able to state this in such a statistically confident matter. "1. Future criminals need to be identified as early as possible. The schools and public need to participate in this." Have you been to a public school lately? Do you have children in public schools? The teachers are working with large classrooms and they are under- paid. If you think this is a solution you should do IDINA BEACH children to positive something about it. Create an organization that will vised to schoolrooms in full high-d provide feedback and assistance in our classrooms, the kids don't miss anything the cc And if little Tommy throws a tantrum and school children should also be giv thrqws an eraser hitting the teacher or another stu- when they turn 10." dent in the head should we lock him up because I would not dare subject a 10-ye Tommy is going to be an abuser? else to an autopsy. I could not phys We don't allow our national or local police to seeing someone cut open, organs 1 complete "racial profiling" and for good reason. and the smells associated with the Why should we allow for "future criminal profiling" Have you seen one? Can you stom; in our school systems. power to if you can but traumatizin Points 3 through 5 appear to all focus on the teenager with something so gruesi death penalty. I am sure your medieval thought more adverse mental repercussion process of death to them all would have worked in feel it might deter in the future. the Middle Ages but in our society today we have a We come to the next group of "; little thing called due process and allow for lengthy gang and obvious youth drug crim prison stays to hopefully rehabilitate someone On this point, I have to say that instead of penalizing immediately and taking anoth- ly disagree but I would have to ask er human's life without any chance of rehabilitation, this fairly? How do you separate th People can change if given the right tools and that have tried to work with their kids, is why we have a penal system. any obvious signs of issues or did "All school children upon reaching the age of 10 provided the counseling, provided should be required to witness the autopsy of a per- to help their child and the child sti son killed by gunfire. It should be up close and per- get in legal trouble? How do you de sonal and unforgettable. Autopsies might be tele- parents? HOW TO WRITE US The News-Leader welcomes your letters. But we do have guidelines that we ask our readers to follow: Maximum length is 500 words. Letters must include writer's name (printed and signature), address and telephone number for verification. Writers are nor- mally limited to one letter in a 30-day period. No political endorsements or poems will be published. Letters should be typed or printed. Not all letters are published. E-mail let- ters to: mparnell@fbnews leader.com or send letters to: Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 766, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035 or visit us online at www.fbnewsleader.com. behaviors definition color so ironer does. All en a tour of a jail ar-old or anyone sically stomach ying on the table autopsy room. ach it? More g a child or ome could have is than what you answers" for our es: The parents. I don't necessari- : How do you do e parents who who did not see see the signs and all the avenues 11 continues to eal with those "9. Teachers should be given the duty ot enforc- ing not only school rules but the criminal codes of the state. School systems and teachers should be made utterly immune to lawsuits when they step in to get miscreants under control. Perhaps some teachers should be deputized and given police pow- ers, especially in the most violent schools." This again goes back to the overcrowding of schools and classrooms. I have also witnessed first hand teachers not wanting to assist with anything in the classroom or the development of our chil- dren. Why should I allow someone who does not care about my child, discipline my child? And how do you know they won't abuse the ability and physi- cally hurt the children or can handle that type of authority. "10. The issuance of drivers' licenses should be contingent upon receiving a high school diploma. No diploma, no license should be the rule." I completely agree with this statement. I do not think that any child should have the privilege if they choose to not complete school. It is.funny to me; I hear so many people stepping up and speaking up about the "woes" of our disre- spectful children and the lawmakers and politicians should do something to fix our problems. The law- makers and politicians didn't make these problems, we did. Our own accountability, our decisions to let our children watch what they want to on TV, play whatever game they want to on their video games, our decisions to stop having family dinners and family time, our decisions to not make our children play outside and our decisions to want to give them everything we never had, but at what cost. Mr. Jones, if you want something done, quit pro- posing and start imposing. On your friends, family and local governments to fund after-school pro- grams. Be a mentor (although with your tough guy. comment at the very end of your "opinion" I am not sure you should be the mentor for any young mind), get involved in our community. Do some- thing, just quit bitching about it in local newspapers and "proposing" ridiculous solutions to situations you don't like. . Instead of.writing a column like you did, I decid- ed to do something about it. I have decided to return to college and get a degree that allows me to help counsel our children, be there to listen and guide to positive behaviors. Guide with positive behaviors and'teach children the things my parents taught me: Love, respect, be kind and nothing is ever free. Baptist Nassau: Birthplace of stars on OBTV Hig-f i ,h ~ m-ii-i, nu r 1a 710 LLNr arnd ,jI Inr-,.-hc~pjkoep Iiian i ,uid I-'bff'S SL t,ir. OBTV is a netw high-tech tool atir Bpriit NaSaSii, that keeps expectant morns and babies safer during labor and, dclivcry. Ultr'sound units can transmit baby's bcartbcats and mom's contractions instantly to dJ ldtur and ntursLc at coniputers at the bediJe, in the nurising station, doctor's itlice or ,nywihere in lerween,. COMMUNITY THANKS Bell ringers Amelia Island Plantation Shops. Thanks to the locations and the The Salvation Army Hope many willing volunteer bell ringers, House would like to express its we have raised over $30,000 to appreciation to the following stores help those in need in Nassau for their participation in the County. Christmas Red Kettle Bell Ringer Lynn Peterson program: Wal-Mart, Super Wal- Salvation Army Hope Mart, K-Mart, Fernandina Beach House Manager Winn-Dixie, Harris Teeter and Fernandina Beach JA THANK YOU I AP NASSAU COUNTY for your ;support .of all family owned and operated businesses. After 29 years, you have made us a local landmark. Check out our newly renovated interior: Nightly Specials Fresh Local Shrimp Full Bar Open 7 days 5pm ? Closed Super Bowl Historic Downtown 31 N. 2nd Street 904. 261.4749 BrngThs ouonInA nd eca v Ou intr mkd ihAp.irFE Wit Th Puchse f ine If something unexpected ocu.,ir-, an alarm sounds, allowing a quick response by the clinical care team. Doctors can view the data, immediately and change their orders if necessary to assure a safe delivery. With our state-of-the-art equipi nItMn, excellent staff and the strength of the Baptist Health system RBptip t Nasu.,iI i one of the safest, n'-t tcchioltogicilly advanced community hospitals in Florida. To learn more, call 904.202.CARE or visit e-baptisthealth.com/nassau. r.i i ., -a u. i i s r-~i,~a brand neW adrid ,j c~n help F. deta isvisii IBAPTIST 9 Medical Center Nassau Depend On Us For Life. ROAD CLOSURE 8th Street north of Centre will be closed 6pm 6am February 19, 20, 21 and 25 for sewer main rehabilitation work. Use North 14th Street as Detour. Truck traffic use Sadler Rd. to North 14th Street. Thank your for your cooperation. City of Fernandina Beach Utilities Dept. ... ....... .. . r