Military was missing morality, watching students in schools

Military was missing morality, humanity

Even if the initial strike on a boat “suspected” of carrying illegal drugs is lawful — and that is questionable — once it was clear that there were survivors in the water, it was incumbent on our military to rescue them [“Pardon glaring and disturbing,” Editorial, Dec. 3].

These survivors were in the water clinging to what remained of their boat. They posed no immediate threat to our forces. They were simply executed in violation of the most basic understanding of any military action, even for a person not trained in legalities but conscious of simple morality and humanity.

What has become of our sense of decency? Who are we as a nation?

 — Eileen Toomey, Huntington Station

Students need more watchful eyes

I think the problem of vaping and alcohol abuse at school stems from a lack of supervision [“Help teenagers tackle vaping,” Editorial, Nov. 26].

When I attended two Catholic schools years ago, you needed a pass to go to the restroom, to be produced upon request. Only six people — one per stall — were allowed at a time, monitored inside by a staff member. No smoking was allowed anywhere on school grounds.

If you possessed anything you shouldn’t, it would be taken away and not returned. Bad behavior resulted in detention, and parents could be summoned to the school. A student also could be suspended or expelled.

The cafeteria was monitored by roaming faculty members, and students were not allowed to leave the cafeteria, much less exit school grounds. After lunch, faculty also roamed the playground, monitoring behavior and breaking up fights.

Locker rooms were also monitored by staff. You had three minutes to get to your next class, and at the end of the day, once you left school property, you were not allowed back on it.

 — Elaine Harrison, Eastport