DEAR ABBY: The letter in your column from the reader who thought it would be a good idea to turn closed military bases into jails got me thinking. As a retired military person, I must agree in part with the writer of that letter. The facilities are there, and so is the equipment to train our young people to become good citizens.
But why use them to warehouse criminals?
Some of them could be converted to campuses for vocational schools around the country to help disadvantaged youth. Not all of our young people are college material -- but all of them need to learn how to earn a living. Students could spend part of their day in classroom learning and the rest in a shop, learning a skill. At the completion of their training they could be the people they would like to be.
We taxpayers have bought those bases and equipped them with everything that is needed to run a military installation. If the selected base needs more equipment, some could be moved from other bases that are being closed.
If some of the buildings are substandard, I can't imagine a better place to start training those young people for a trade in the building industry.
A final thought: Most of these young people would rather have a big hug and an "I love you" than parents who let them grow up in the wrong way. Speaking for myself, the return of love from a young person is the greatest gift I ever had. Parents, wake up!
Abby, please do not use my name or location. -- RETIRED MILITARY MAN
DEAR MILITARY MAN: You have hit upon a terrific idea, one that is well worth exploring. Such campuses would be a source of pride (and employment) in the surrounding communities. Our children are our most precious resource, and giving them the tools they need to enrich their lives will also enrich our country.