Abdul Chappell’s bail looks like unconstitutional punishment

Invaluable patrol experience, training

The Civil Air Patrol is a volunteer organization that conducts search-and-rescue missions and assists in disaster relief. The program teaches with the core values of integrity, volunteer service, excellence and respect.

I have led 50 younger kids at a camp as a cadet first sergeant, flown in airplanes, marshaled planes, built rockets, served on a camp medical staff and received training by military officers — and I’m only 16.

Other cadets in the program managed communications with planes on Federal Emergency Management Agency missions during Hurricane Harvey.

Cadets can learn to fly for a nominal cost. I look forward to learning to fly next year.

This program has made me a better public speaker, leader and person, and has improved my life. I recommend it to all teenagers and their parents.

Unconstitutional treatment

Abdul Chappell, the anti-gang activist, has had his troubles with the justice system. However, once a person is charged, convicted and serves the sentence, the punishment for that offense should end.

Setting bail at $200,000 for a drug and weapons charge, for a person as dedicated to the community as Chappell is, is excessive. (April 26, 1A, “‘There’s no way there’s going to be any justice for anyone,’ activist says”) After all, bail is just to ensure you show up for trial. It’s not meant as punishment.

Recently, a police officer was indicted after killing a civilian, and his bail was set at $10,000. Considering the purpose of bail, the officer’s bail is reasonable. Remember that the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution says, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted.”

Chappell’s treatment by the justice system certainly is in violation of the Constitution.

Serve us Texans, not your party

When I meet new people and they ask where I’m from, I pause and almost dread telling them I’m a native Texan. That pause and dread deeply saddens me because I love this state. I love its history, its diversity, its natural beauty and the abundance of friendliness and courtesy.

But I’m ashamed of our representation in Congress. I’m embarrassed that what people around the country and world know about Texas comes from news coverage of our senators, who are kowtowing to the most corrupt and immoral president and administration in our country’s history.

Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn were not elected to defend the president. They were elected to defend the Constitution and to represent their constituents — all of them. They were elected to be, and hold those in our government, accountable.

They are failing miserably. But we’re paying attention. We’re talking to our friends and neighbors, and we’re mobilizing.

We weren’t a monarchy before

I must have missed something. I thought it was settled law that the Constitution gave equal standing to the president, Congress and the Supreme Court. The concept I was taught was that escaping from the English king, we, the new nation, would be a land of laws ruled by laws and not by an autocrat.

Something must have changed, because the president thinks Congress has no role in overseeing his governance, and the Supreme Court will rule on his wishes to ignore Congress.

What happened to “separate but equal”?

This story was originally published May 11, 2019 at 8:34 PM.