Women’s soccer team lifted World Cup, spirits

I respond to the Tuesday letter “Women’s soccer team made me ashamed” from Jim Atkinson. The success of the U.S. women’s World Cup soccer team deserves all the shouting any of us can muster. Bringing back the fourth World Cup is an amazing feat and is most certainly an inspiration to all of this country’s youth

Atkinson is dead wrong when concluding anyone should not be proud of this team for their exuberance in celebrating an amazing victory.

Boyd Ferris, Gahanna

Oberlin College received fair trial by jury of peers

I respond to the Wednesday op-ed “Judgment against Oberlin College threatens free speech” from Carmen Twillie Ambar, the college president. As might be expected, it omits all the facts in disfavor to this esteemed institution.

I refer readers to the June 10 Washington Post article by Isaac Stanley-becker outlining those actions believed to be taken by Oberlin in support of its student protests. The case against Oberlin prevailed on a preponderance of the evidence, by a jury of their peers.

That is the America I know, where the rule of law prevails. Enough said.

Leo Timm, Delaware

Reforms ease marijuana penalties, access to jobs

Last year, I shared a story in The Dispatch about meeting students at Beechcroft High School and their call for marijuana policy reforms to protect them against a system they fear might block their shot at jobs and an education. Sadly, the evidence supports their concern.

A young black man caught smoking marijuana is four times more likely to be arrested, creating an escalating series of long-term negative consequences. Meanwhile across town, medical dispensaries sold almost $3 million of marijuana with the state’s blessing. Some folks are stacking pot profits while others lose their job over a dime bag of weed.

This duality shouldn’t exist.

After a second public hearing today, council will vote on proposed reforms to get people back to work or back to school. Working with council members Shayla Favor and Rob Dorans, we’re considering two key items: lowering fines for small amounts of marijuana possession and increasing funds for Legal Aid attorneys to help seal records for minor convictions.

We’re encouraging the Columbus Division of Police to think differently about marijuana enforcement. Generations of evidence show criminal punishment does nothing to reduce marijuana use across race or class. We appreciate the thoughtful openness of Interim Police Chief Thomas Quinlan and the leaders of the Fraternal Order of Police. I believe police officers generally share our goal to focus on fighting serious crime and neighborhood violence, not social misdemeanors.

While council doesn’t believe smoking marijuana should be encouraged, we cannot sit idly by as lives are upended over misdemeanor offenses. Drug issues should be addressed with treatment, not criminal convictions. That is why we stand with Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and City Attorney Zach Klein to encourage the state of Ohio to take action on the proposals before the legislature.

A mixed bag of local reforms by Ohio’s cities is a good start but can’t be the end of this conversation. We can all do more to keep folks out of the criminal justice system and on the path to good-paying jobs.

Shannon G. Hardin, president, Columbus City Council

Sue Roy, president, Ohio State Grange