Saved at sea
Last Sunday (Aug. 11), I had the pleasure of taking out about dozen friends and associates for a sail around the Cape on my sailboat, the PR Princess. It was a gorgeous day and a beautiful time to sail.
That was until we were hit by a gust of wind that led to a small collision with another sailing vessel as we entered Hyannis harbor. Neither vessel sustained any damage, but it did knock our main sail loose and sent the sail line on my boat flailing across the deck. I was nearly knocked overboard.
Thankfully, former Mashpee Police Chief and now Mashpee Town Manager Rodney Collins was aboard. He grabbed me and saved me from tumbling into the water when I got smacked by the sail line.
It’s not often small moments of heroism are acknowledged. I’d like to extend a gigantic thank you and hats off to Rodney Collins for saving me — and the U.S. Coast Guard — from a “man overboard” call. The Cape is full of public servants who are never off the clock. We are lucky to have them. — George Regan, Boston
Dire trends
Anyone still laboring under the myth that President Trump’s policies benefit working people might want to read a recent report from the U.S. Federal Reserve.
If trends of the rich getting richer and middle and low income groups getting poorer continues at their current rate, in 33 years the top 10% of Americans will own 100% of all American wealth. — Bruce T. Boccardy, Economics/labor adviser, Small Planet Institute Cambridge
Bid to cut prison terms
In response to your Aug. 13, article, I would just like to say it’s outrageous to ever let notorious first-degree murderers free! It’s a slap in the face to the families and friends of the victims of such horrific crimes. I’m ashamed to say that my former state senator, Will Brownsberger, is one of the sponsors of such legislation. — Matt Sullivan, Reading
Forgiveness important
Re: “First-degree murderers seeking get-out-of-jail card,” Aug. 13
It is indeed difficult for victims’ survivors to heal from the trauma of murder. The community at large must and does provide services for them: pastoral and mental health counseling, education and more, all of which can play a part in the healing needed.
These are not roles for the criminal justice system. It must be about both punishment and rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is, for the most part, in the offenders’ hands. Notably, of the 292 second-degree lifers paroled between 2007 and 2015, only 18 were re-incarcerated for a criminal violation, none of which involved taking another life. Beyond vengeance, what is the sense of keeping 274 persons in prison for the 18 who committed another offense?
None of this considers those falsely convicted of first-degree murder whose attorneys were able to piece together the errors of their prosecution. Charles Wilhite, Roland Phinney, among others, were fortunate. There are others not yet so fortunate. The criminal justice system has flaws; society should provide an avenue to correct those errors.
Many scholars, theologians including the pope, and community leaders believe in second chances, even for those who murder. The act of forgiving an offender can be extremely difficult and not always appropriate, but where justified, a very rewarding and life-affirming process. — Lloyd Fillion, Boston