NO SYMPATHY FOR THOSE WHO BREAK THE LAW

To the Editor of The Eagle:

The letter in the June 12 Eagle "Bad law, irresponsibly used" attempts to
make the point that many have been pitching concerning District Attorney
David Capeless' actions in Great Barrington. The gist of these letters are
based on the notion that two years of tough love are too tough for someone
who breaks the law with this "minor" offense. One can't help but notice
that some of those who feel this way are those who have been caught. True,
no 17-year-old "has to be sentenced to a mandatory two years" -- if they
don't get involved with drugs that is; and I do agree that the difference of
six inches in one's location when breaking the law is absurd -- the
mandatory sentencing should apply to any location where the law is broken.
As with most letters of this kind, the author attempts to pass the buck on
his illegal activity and blames his 15-to-20-year sentence on the mandatory
two-year sentencing. The math just doesn't work; obviously he was caught in
the act of some serious breaking of the law.

I have no compassion for someone who would attempt to lead my, or
anyone else's, child down this dead-end road. I have no compassion for
someone who tries to undo the years of commitment and caring, that we
as parents do to warn our children about the dangers of drugs, in an
effort to support their own habits. I disagree with the author when he
claims the laws are not working as intended -- it is society that has
not provided the aerial support for the boots on the ground in this
war on drugs.

We bemoan our government for dodging responsibility and not having any
accountability, but become outraged when one of our own is forced to.
Keep fighting the good fight Mr. Capeless.

C.J. Vadnais

Stamford, Vt.