TOUGH - BUT SMART?

Texas legislators have been on a moral binge. A vocal segment of the
public has seemed to demand it. As it's constantly drummed into
prisoners, soon Texans will learn the truth of the adage "you reap
what you sow."

Most prisoners will be released sooner or later. If a revolving door
is what's wanted, then society is doing all the right things. Take
tens of thousands of nonviolent first offenders such as drug law
offenders. Lock them up. Let them out, but don't let them live
anywhere. Deny any type of government housing or financial aid for
education. Deny good jobs. Give them a parole officer ready to lock
them up again for the slightest infraction of their parole conditions.

Texas society has proven itself able to be tough. Let's see if it can
prove itself to be intelligent.

Gregg Davis,

San Antonio