Letter: Nonviolent criminals can serve the nation

Friday, Feb. 9, 2007 | 7:09 a.m.

Some say that we need more people in the military now that the commander-in-chief has the military over-extended all over the world, namely in Afghanistan and Iraq.

I envision a very wise and practical solution to the problem. Instead of sentencing young people for nonviolent "crimes" for possession of drugs, the judges should sentence the "perps" to three years in the U.S. military, which would include one tour in Afghanistan or Iraq.

After three years of honorable service, the governor of their particular state would grant them a pardon. This would serve at least two purposes, such as reducing the tax burden on the taxpayers for housing and feeding them. Secondly, it would provide a steady flow of "recruits" for the military.

Of course, there will be some letter writer who will pooh-pooh the idea. Bobby Kennedy, I believe, said, "Some people say why, I say why not."

James J. Poupard, Henderson