Aossey does not belong in jail

To the editor:

William 'Bill” Aossey, the man who proudly introduced me to Cedar Rapids 50 years ago and caused me to esteem the city that produced him, is a 'detainee” in the Linn County Correctional Center. Incredible! This action of the court provokes 'contempt of court.”

Never did I imagine that Aossey would ever spend a single day in jail. I know him as an honest, hardworking, intelligent, well-educated, successful businessman and philanthropist who is held in high esteem by family, friends, colleagues, customers and associates.

Our country, which he and I have always loved, is beset by a mistaken and shameful bias against Muslims such as history shows we have had for Indians, Africans and African-Americans, Chinese, Germans (during World War I), Japanese (during World War II) and other minority groups. Can this be the cause of the miscarriage of justice that has put him in prison? Whatever regulation Aossey may have broken, there is no comparison with that and the serious but unprosecuted crimes committed by big banks, big corporations and big government who are 'too big to jail.”

The state of our nation shocks me. Aossey's incarceration is one example of our sorry condition. He is one of the finest men I have ever met; and he does not belong in jail.

Robert N. Cable

Somerville, Mass.