NEWS TALK FEEDBACK FROM PAGE A1 THURSDAY

SUMMARY: Should Gov. Jane Hull commute Scott Brannan's drug- trafficking
sentence and should he be allowed to finish medical school at UA?

Brannan should be sentenced to a lifetime of "serving people in need,"
perhaps in a correctional institution for those convicted of drug- related
offenses. He wasn't just a recreational user of marijuana.

Tom Matlock, M.D.

Wickenburg

I do not think Brannan should be able to continue in the same capacity. He
was not just smoking pot for personal use, he was trafficking. He
demonstrated very poor judgment, and it shows an innate character flaw.

Cheri Hughes

Surgical tech

I've seen numerous physicians with licensing board stipulations due to past
drug/alcohol addiction. They continue to practice medicine because they
successfully completed a rehabilitation program. If, once a physician is
licensed, he/she can continue to practice medicine after a drug or alcohol
addiction, I don't understand why Brannan should not be allowed to practice
medicine.

Patricia Anderson

President/owner, Credentialing Assistance, Inc.

Brannan made a very poor choice at a crucial point in his education career.
Let someone who has better judgment take his slot in the medical school
class. Brannan can help society in some other way.

Kerry K. Swindle, M.D.

Family physician

Brannan committed a felony, and should continue to endure his punishment
until his sentence is over. Then he can try and salvage his career.

Kelly Larkin

Crime analyst

Brannan can make an important contribution to society if his sentence is
commuted. He is gifted with superior intelligence and is willing to work in
areas where doctors are scarce. It would be better to allow him to finish
school.

Grace McIlvain

As Brannan's colleague, I want to say I have never met such an
extraordinary person. Imprisonment is not Brannan's true punishment; it is
the burden of shame that has torn him apart, and that he will have to bear
throughout life. Let him return to his training and live up to his
incredible promise.

Bill Shear

UA College of Medicine

While this man may rank in the top 1 percent of medical students, I doubt
he shares a 1 percent ranking of those imprisoned for similar crimes and
time served with good behavior. Commute all of them and put a stop to this
situation.

Ed Nelson

Grandparent

Brannan committed his crime. No one is immune from the fact that drug
trafficking is a lethal, damaging action that affects communities. His time
does not cover the effect his actions had on others. He should not be
readmitted.

Darrell C. Juan

Brannan wrapped marijuana, took money for it and would still be doing it
and not attending medical school if he wasn't caught! Everyone has an
excuse of why they shouldn't be in prison. He should have thought about the
consequences of his illegal actions.

Patricia Brinton

Domestic engineer

Brannan deserves another chance. There are ways he can be monitored in the
community, and I think he would be low-risk to the community vs. what he is
going to give back in terms of his services.

Linda Fowkes

Retired Department of Corrections counselor