Law on child molestation creates some tough issues

The Republic story on the judge throwing out a molestation conviction because of how our law is written was difficult to digest (“Judge knocks down Arizona child-molestation law,” Tuesday). But in the end, I think the judge was right.

While I would hate to see a child molester ever walk free if they really did molest a child, we need to take great care not to incarcerate innocent people.

And I was a bit unnerved by some of things County Attorney Bill Montgomery said. The issue revolves around a state law that addresses unlawful touching of a child, but doesn’t address the intent of the toucher.

So some people (and obviously the court that ruled the law unconstitutional) have worried that innocent touching while changing a diaper or bathing could be deemed inappropriate.

Montgomery said his office would never bring such a case against someone. He also said that if he were compelled to prove intent, some molesters could escape conviction.

That bothers me. One, do we really want laws vague enough that a single person gets to make these types of determinations? Second, shouldn’t it be fairly easy to establish intent. Because if it isn’t, then this law may be even more dangerous than the judge thought. This is a tough one.

— Dan Peel, Scottsdale

Protesters need to replace chip on shoulder with book in hand

I wonder how long it will take the LGBT and minority communities to realize that shouting and generally getting in everyone’s face is not the way to earn respect. Rather, try getting an education, speak good vernacular English, and try to not have a chip on your shoulder. Respect cannot be legislated.

Oh, a bill can be passed, but will that achieve equality? Almost everybody laughs at the concept of being politically correct. Literacy and achievement will help gain respect.

— Steve Guinn, Phoenix

Fat cats or fans? Who do the professional athletes stand with?

Anytime a professional sports team wants taxpayers to fund a new stadium or fix up the current one we should go directly (are you listening, sports reporters?) to the players and ask for their opinion.

If they say no comment or something along the lines of “I just play ball and don’t get involved with that side of the sport” then we’ll know where their loyalty lies. It’s not with their loyal fan base but with the owners and their outrageous salaries.

If one or more had the guts to say, “I think we owe it to our fans not to gouge them for more money” maybe it would send a message to the owners to stop alienating the people that pay to watch their teams. I know; I laughed when I wrote that as well.

— Thomas Smoody, Gilbert

Sen. John McCain is a puzzle wrapped inside an anachronism

I was just listening to the news and heard John McCain say that his fellow Republicans were against the “nuclear option” when it was invoked by former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (DNevada), but now they are all for it in regards to President Trump’s nomination for the Supreme Court.

Mr. McCain, you just don’t get it. The nuclear option started by the Democrats was to favor President Obama’s choices for lower court nominations and acceptance by the Senate.

Now that the Republicans are threatening to use it against the Democrats, you seem to be having trouble using a tool that the Democrats used in the first place. And so are the Democrats.

Tables are turned and they don’t like it. Neither do you. Ever think about changing parties since you are becoming anachronistic?

— Patrick J Connell, Peoria

Vouchers and charter schools are obstacles to equal opportunity

It is absurd that some justify charter schools and vouchers upon the myth that schools perform at vastly different levels.

Arizona has a large population of atrisk students. These students have a combination of the following risk factors: poverty, illiteracy, disability and cultural isolation.

If you look closely, so-called poor-performing schools have a high proportion of at-risk students. As a teacher educator, I know that most new teachers do not want to teach in high-risk schools.

There is ample evidence nationally of the negative relationship between risk and achievement. The Arizona Legislature and the governor should be held accountable for not supporting and improving education. Schools and teachers are not responsible for the state of our schools.

One important principle is that every student in Arizona should have equal opportunity to learn. Vouchers and charter schools violate that principle.

— Tom Haladyna, Phoenix