I just finished reading Mary Jane Newell’s latest letter to the editor (Jan. 27). Typically, I am unable to read her screeds in their entirety, but somehow my eye drifted to her penultimate line and it made me ponder.

If, as she implies, carrying a copy of the U.S. Constitution brings her wisdom and greater understanding compared to those who don’t, I should be able to put a textbook in my pocket and end up a nuclear physicist.

On second thought, maybe not. It is not that clear that the technique has worked that well for her.

Scott Roberts, East Livermore