Letters: Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission fails to grasp concept of innocent until proven guilty


I`m perplexed. American jurisprudence and the Constitution of the United States are clear that we all are entitled to a presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Sadly, the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission doesn't seem to grasp this simple and straightforward concept, having issued a statement saying (Attorney General Curtis) Hill “committed criminal acts, each of which reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in violation of Rule 8.4(b) of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law." In fact, no, he's never been charged with or convicted of any wrongdoing.

Per WISH TV.com: “There was an investigation undertaken by the General Assembly, another by the inspector general and, finally, one by the special prosecutor. And after having reviewed all the information, all three reached the same conclusion: no further action was warranted.” But even after all that, Indiana`s governor was on the news yet again, still complaining that it's his opinion that Hill is guilty and ought to resign.

We all clearly made a mistake electing Holcomb into the governor's mansion, but he`s shown by his poor judgment and his obvious lack of understanding of U.S. and Indiana law that he`s unfit to be re-elected. It's both inappropriate and unacceptable for a governor to even hint that American Jurisprudence ought to be overlooked based on an opinion.

Gregory Russell

Arming teachers is not the right way to keep our children safe

I grew up in rural Michigan where everyone knew your name. But in 1993, my chemistry teacher brought his gun to school after hours, shot and killed the superintendent, and wounded two others. Sadly, I’m not alone in knowing the heartbreak following a school shooting.

We can all agree that we want to keep our kids safe at school. But one thing is certain — arming teachers is the wrong way to do that.

Teachers already handle so much in their classrooms. Asking them to become the defenders of our schools is too much. Arming teachers increases the risk of shootings. Safely storing a gun in a classroom with curious children or emotionally turbulent teens would challenge any of us.

Child access is not the only risk. The risk of unintentional or intentional shootings increases when civilians are allowed to carry guns in schools. Additionally, armed teachers would not be in uniform, making it unclear who the “good guy with a gun” is in an active shooter situation.

Law enforcement personnel who carry guns on a daily basis receive hundreds of hours of initial and ongoing training. This is not practical for school teachers.

Please join me in opposing HB 1253 (handgun training for teachers). Tell our lawmakers there are other ways to keep our children safe that don’t encourage arming teachers.

Susan Siena

I applaud kids for speaking out on climate; who cares if they skipped school?

Why did nearly every single news piece I saw about the student climate protests emphasize "skipping school"?  Young people are regularly criticized for spending too much time on their devices, being apathetic and uninterested in current events, and having no sense of civic responsibility or engagement. As a mom and former teacher, I always emphasized the importance of good attendance,  but these kids have every right to be seriously concerned about climate change and the general degradation of our environment.

I applaud them for organizing and for speaking out. If doing so on a school day draws more attention to their message, so be it.  One day of school will be completely insignificant if the continued inaction of adults makes this planet less and less habitable.

Cindy McDaniel

Kids should pick up trash rather than just protest climate change

So students across Indiana skipped school on Friday to protest climate change. If these students are so concerned about the environment, why didn't any of these overprivileged tree huggers get off their butts and pick up some of the trash that has accumulated along the major roads in Indiana during the winter? It is easy to stand up at a microphone and complain. Taking action is much harder but in the end will make much more of a significant impact.

Annie Darragh

Please, Indianapolis 500, quit your littering with the balloons

To the organizers of the Indianapolis 500, please stop releasing balloons. It is littering, and it kills wildlife.

I am always amazed that reasonable adults do not understand that what goes up will come down.

It will. It might not come down in your backyard, but it will come down in someone's.

Please stop.

Jim Sweeney

Sen. Young's leadership on Yemen conflict is commendable

I am writing to express appreciation for Indiana Senator Todd Young, who has become an effective and forthright leader in the Senate, for his continued efforts to ease the suffering of the people of Yemen caught in the middle of a civil war and for his vote to end the United States’ role in the years-long conflict.

Support of Saudi Arabia’s meddling there has caused untold suffering and death among civilians. Ceasing the hostilities in Yemen would be a first step toward ending the world’s largest humanitarian crisis – which is entirely human-made. Right now, 2 million children younger than age 5 are at risk of death from malnutrition, and 24 million people need urgent humanitarian aid.

As a person of faith and a member of Bread for the World, I applaud Senator Young’s leadership, I applaud Congress for voting to end U.S. participation in the conflict, and I call on the administration to insist that all parties stop the fighting, pursue a lasting peace agreement, and allow aid workers to reach those in need.

The Rev. Dr. Richard L. Hamm

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Indiana lawmakers need to prove they value teachers by increasing pay

Excuses, excuses

Even though over the past two decades according to the IDOE, when adjusted for inflation, teachers have experienced a 16 percent pay cut and many state representatives say they want to increase teacher pay significantly, they give excuses as to why that can't happen.

It was Republicans who pushed through the 1 percent property tax cap, thereby cutting local government budgets drastically. Instead of sending enough tax dollars to the local communities as promised, they wring their hands and tell teachers they have to wait. Teachers have been waiting. For over 20 years!

State legislators are taking care of teachers like they’re taking care of our roads. It’s time to take action. People who agree should tell their state representatives Indiana teachers are important and it’s time to prove it by offering them decent pay.

Barry A. Pratt
New Castle

We must pass a hate crime law that names protected groups

Indiana needs to pass hate crime legislation that specifically names protected groups. Opponents argue that Indiana does not need a hate crime bill because there are already federal laws that prohibit hate crimes. This is true, however federal law enforcement rarely intervenes on state level hate crimes unless they attract national news or are horrific enough that federal intervention is necessary. Yes, crimes that would be classified as hate crimes are already illegal, however adding harsher sentences would support marginalized individuals and send a message to the community that crimes motivated by bias are not tolerated and will be met with more severe consequences.

Recent political rhetoric has condoned the stereotyping of individuals who are “other,” basically individuals who are not cisgender, heterosexual, able bodied, white men. Communities cannot allow marginalized groups to be targeted and must stand up for their protection. Ideally we are all protected equally under the law, but in practice that is not true. It is unfair to expect women, people of color, or members of the LGBTQ community to not fear for their safety in a society that in constantly trying to oppress them. In a historically conservative state, Indiana needs legislation that explicitly protects individuals of marginalized groups.

Teagan Wilson

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Indianapolis' pothole problem is not Indiana's pothole problem

People in Indianapolis complain often about potholes. Some point the finger at the state for not providing enough road funding. Here in Johnson County, where I live, we see very few potholes.

If potholes were a statewide problem, all counties would be affected by a lack of funding. Why is it that only one county out of 92 seems to have an issue with potholes?

Personally, I have grown weary of people in Indianapolis who conflate the finances of state government with the finances of the city of Indianapolis.

Indianapolis is the economic engine of the state, but it isn't the only city in the state.

Kevin Gries