Feedback -- Trustee’s DUI plea draws more letters

Thanks for presenting the Pilots’ position; it’s absolutely accurate

and appropriate (Editorial, “A school trustee’s life is not necessarily

personal,” Thursday).

However, you would have impressed your readers, especially the younger

ones, in a very positive way, had you indicated that the responsible

action by Ferryman would have been to do the right thing and resign. As

it is, the hypocritical condoning of double standards for the elite

continues to undermine our social values.

GENE BEAVIN

Costa Mesa

Jim Ferryman has been convicted of breaking the law by getting into an

auto accident while drunk. He holds an elected office on a school board

with “zero-tolerance” rules. Yet Wendy Leece, school board member, is

taking all the criticism by asking for his resignation. Ferryman and the

remaining school board members are showing a complete lack of personal

integrity, knowing right from wrong and responsibility for one’s actions

by saying this is “personal.” This is ridiculous. If Ferryman and the

school board, minus Leece, do not understand how to properly fulfill the

responsibility that goes along with their elected office, they should be

removed.

A. M. GRANT

Newport Beach

Ferryman pleads guilty. Ferryman denies problem. Now we’re getting to

the good stuff (“Trustee pleads guilty to DUI charge,” Jan. 8).

In some states, if a person pleads guilty or is found guilty of

driving drunk and that person denies being an alcoholic or denies having

a “problem,” then they must be crazy. Let me explain.

If an alcoholic is someone addicted to alcohol, then they do not

“freely choose” to drink and are addicted to the use of a substance that

impairs their judgment. Getting behind the wheel of a car is not done of

free will.

So the state is saying if you get behind the wheel of a car drunk and

you don’t have a problem, then you are doing it of your own free will. To

do something that absurd, you must have major mental problems. So you are

sentenced to mental health counseling, rather than an alcoholic treatment

center.

Having to face that jarring choice, many of these folks miraculously

develop a “problem” with alcohol, and, surprise surprise, opt for getting

out of denial, and into AA, where they belonged in the first place. It’s

an “If it works, don’t fix it” sort of thing.

If Ferryman approaches his referral to alcohol treatment counseling

with an open mind, he could have a rosy future. If not, he will drink

again. That’s the nature of the beast that’s about to consume him.

GARY DRIES

Costa Mesa