Punishment, or Rehabilitation?

Taylor McCrae
117 Oak Ave,
Kaleden, B.C.
V0H 1K0

February 10, 2011

John Smith
Mayor
City Hall 568 Main Steet
Small Village, B.C.

Dear Mr. Smith:


   The severity of the situation you have been put in is nothing to be taken lightly. Being the man that I am, I truly believe that no one deserves to die. The Holocaust was a tragic affair that will live in infamy forever, and the thought that our villages hero was an architect of it is a appalling matter. 


   Gunther Grass' actions proved him to be a very evil man, in the past. Although he appears to be awful, we need to take into consideration what he has done since his days in the S.S. Mr. Grass has become the most valuable citizen in our small town, and we need to honestly consider what good would come of sending him to prison. The main purpose of encarceration is to rehabilitate, and have time to reflect on what changes you must make in your life, to become a better person. I can truly say without a doubt in my mind that Gunther Grass is a rehabititted man.

   Something that also needs to be taken into consideration is the substancial cost it would be to inprison Mr. Grass. It costs approximatly $70,000 per year to uphold a prisoner every year. This is a lot of money, for someone who is in the twilight of their life. It would truly be a waste of that money, because it would be much more useful for sturggling families accross the country, that have trouble every night feeding their family. To put Mr. Grass in prison would be a giant mistake.

   We also must consider the affect on our community. If Mr.Grass is no longer allowed to run his factory, over half the people in our town will lose their jobs. This is a very serious consequnce. If The good people of our town lose their jobs, it will force a mass move, based on the fact that the factory makes up the majority of our undiversified employment. Also many people will lose out on the support that he gives them to help them make ends meet. This would be awful, because small children will be going hungry, and probably die, or be taken away from their parents.

   Mr. Grass is truly a model citizen. We need to consider what he's doing, rather than what he's done. Grass although previously violent, evil, malevolent man is now a reformed hero like man. Gunter Grass needs to remain as the man he is now.

Sincerely,

Taylor McCrae

Going the Extra Mile

George looked up from shoeing the horse to see the outline of Curley's wife in the doorway of the barn. They were alone. George attempted to shy away from her stare, but it cut into him like a thousand daggers. Her presence left him as stiff as a board,  When she spoke her voice hissed like a hyena
    "I'm looking for Curley, have you seen him 'round here?" She demanded 
    "No I ain't seen no one, I'm like a fish out of water. I don't get told nothin." George retorted 
    "Well I wasn't asking to get no 3rd degree from you!" Hissed Curley's wife
    "Aww put a cork in it, all you do is walk 'round here looking for trouble! You're off your rocker if you think I would have any idea where Curley is!"
Curley's wife shied away from Georges words as if they were arrows piercing her skin. George couldn't help but feel bad for the way he had treated her, so he decided to Bite the bullet, and give her the attention she so badly desired. 
    "I didn't mean no harm, I'm just feeling a bit under the weather." 
    "Well thats not reason to treat someone like they're thick as a brick."
George attempted to end the conversation, but Curley's wife's stare was unwavering. She looked at George as she confined in him. 
    "I hate my life." She admitted "Can I admit something to you?" She inquired.
George nodded his head inviting her to continue
    "I wasn't looking for Curley, I came looking for you.." 
Her words stung George. He knew she was trouble for Lennie, but her never expected her to come for him. He refused to acknowledge her invitation for trouble. 
    "Whats wrong?" She demanded "Cat got your tounge." 
    "No, I just ain't looking for no trouble, thats all."
    "Trouble from who? Curley? Ha, you don' got to worry about Curley he ain' no danger to you. Heck his shooting is so bad he couldn't even hit the broad side of a barn!" 
    "I don't care about his shooting, or nothing. I wan' nothing to do with you!"
Just Then a tall shapeless figure appeared in the door. Lennie looked onto the scene with disbelief. 
    "George, what are you doing?" He demanded. "You told me to stay away, that she was nothin' but trouble." 
    "Lennie you stay out of this!" He screamed "I outta tan your hide for comin' in here and questioning me." Lennie sunk down in disbelief then Curley's wife shouted out
    "Lennie get him, he's trapped me in here." 
    "George is that true?"
    "Coarse it ain' true. She's lying!" Protested George.
    "Well i don't believe you, because you come in here with her! You're trying to get rid of her!" Lennie accused. 
    "No I ain't Lennie! You know I wouldn't, you know me!" George Cried but it was in vein; for Lennie was set on protecting the honour of Curley's wife. Lennie reached down and grabbed a medium sized earth stained rock and moved over to george as fast as a cheetah. George had no time to react, and in no time he had pounded the rock into Georges head numerous times. 
   "Good job, good job" Repeated Curleys wife "No we need leave." 
   "He won't be bugging anyone, anymore" He commanded. 
   "No, no he won't. He's off to a better place, or maybe a worse one...."