NEWTOWN
Think of educators and the value they offer
The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary was just so horribly random and evil. There was no way to predict it; no way to prevent it. All educators can do is prepare for the contingency and hope to never experience it.
What I think we can take away is the astonishing depth of love and devotion on the part of the staff to protect their students — all of them put their children first. This love is bolstered by the unflinching heroism of the principal and psychologist who went out to confront the gunman at the cost of their own lives. At first this astonished me, but knowing many teachers, that level of heroism and sacrifice did not surprise me.
When the Legislature comes back into session and when people talk about education and educators in the political arena, I hope they remember what kind of people become educators. I do.
MIKE SCIALES, Boise
GUN CONTROL
Bring political battle to the purse strings
I cannot recall if any automatic weapon has been used in any of the massacres in recent times. The automatic weapons (machine guns) along with silencers are available to most Americans. The requirement to purchase requires a federal permit, a lengthy waiting period and substantial fee, in addition to the very high cost of these weapons.
The solution to the assault weapon problem is to include them in the same classification as their automatic cousins. If federal tax could be used to hire cops in schools as the NRA proposes. I am a gun owner, a former Marine. Banning freedoms never works. The answer to solving this problem is to bring the attack to the purse strings.
GARY P. LANG, Eagle
Arm more people, provide gun training
Airliner hijackings was a big problem, so we put air marshalls on some of the flights. There was never a successful hijacking with an air marshall on board. What if there had been air marshalls on the planes on 9/11? Too expensive to put marshalls on all flights? Why not train and arm the pilots and crew like they do on El Al?
What if one or more of the adults at Sandy Hook school was armed and trained? The principal rushed to the shooter unarmed. What if she had been trained and armed? The rules of conduct at the mall says “no firearms.” Has that rule stopped shootings at the malls? Our so-called “gun free” zones are “easy zones” for criminals and mentally disturbed individuals.
Federal law prohibits felons from having any contact with firearms and ammunition. Why not require everyone who wants any contact with firearms and ammunition to have training, pass a background check and a mental evaluation? It’s not assault rifles or high capacity magazines that cause the problems any more than it is airplanes, schools or malls. It is access to them by criminals and the mentally disturbed.
PHIL CHRISWELL, Boise
It’s a human problem
The very tragic killing of children and adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School was easily avoidable. If the owner of the guns had stored them in a locked gun safe, it would not have happened. Possibly just gun locks or trigger locks could have avoided this tragedy.
The number of shootings and killings we have in this country every year is horrendous. But we do not have a gun problem — we have a human behavior problem. Guns are inanimate objects. They can do nothing without human involvement. More restrictive gun laws will not solve the problem.
ED FENWICK, Caldwell
UNAMERICAN
Global initiatives take away our freedoms
The United States already has a disabilities act. You need to read the UN charter and its treaty before you decide to hand over more of America’s sovereignty to the UN. There is always something that sounds good to the ear in every bill and treaty. Bob Dole was used as one of the pawns to push this UN treaty onto the United States. Just like the UN treaty on gun control, like the UN treaty on human rights, like the Kyoto protocol, like the treaty on children’s rights. Like its carbon tax treaty. Do you not think or believe that the United States can be a sovereign nation unto itself, or take care of our citizens without the help of the UN?
Our American sovereignty, liberties, and rights are being taken away daily. You are sounding like a globalist, one-world government guy from this article. I hope this is not the case. The UN just signed onto and adopted the Kyoto global warming treaty. This back door disabilities act is just another wedge being driven between America and her citizens. Be very careful what you wish for.
CLARENCE BROWN, Nampa
RUDE YOUTH
Rowdy kids reflect poorly on community
Way to go Kuna! Fantastic parade! Now get to work on your kids with home training, a lost art in your area.
I was astounded at the lack of common decency among your young people.
Upon arriving, I was hit with a bottle of Squirt, that ricocheted off its intended target, a homeless man in a wheelchair, and it exploded all over me. When I turned to confront these boys, they couldn’t stand up for themselves. They ran, like cowards.
During the parade, I saw kids that were well beyond the age of pulling off a temper tantrum, in full-blown fit throwing; two throwing themselves in the street, while Mom and Dad begged them not to.
After the parade, I went to a store. I stumbled on the door because of my disability. This struck a young preteen girl as funny. She elbowed her buddy, so they could both enjoy the laugh together while pointing at me. This young lady couldn’t explain her actions, any better than the hoodlums throwing beverages.
Too bad that brats are the opinion your kids gave me.
So that’s it Kuna? That’s how you raise your kids? I’m glad I live in Meridian!
SIOUXZIE QUINONES, Meridian
OBAMA
Election was stolen
Barack Hussein Obama (BHO) did not win the election — he stole it, with help, of course.
In some areas, 158 Cuyahoga precincts (Ohio) and 59 Philadelphia precincts BHO received more than 99 percent of the vote, some a full 100 percent.
In some places the number of voters exceeded the number of eligible adults of voting age. Ten counties in Colorado had a total registration ranging between 104 percent to 140 percent of the respective populations. The extra votes gave BHO 51 percent of the vote. In St. Lucie County, Fla., only one precinct had less than 113 percent turnout, and one had 158.85 percent turnout, the highest in the county.
Thousands of military absentee ballots were delivered hours after the deadline for them to be counted, with preliminary counts showing that they would have overturned the vote in several states and brought a victory for Gov. Mitt Romney. That’s worse than it was in 2008.
If BHO does not make himself an absolute dictator by 2014, we may have a chance to elect a Congress to oppose him, but fraud must be eliminated.
ALLEN MARSH, Nampa
PUBLIC LANDS
Conservation fund worth the investment
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is America’s chief conservation tool for protecting public lands.
Across the West — thanks to funding from LWCF — lands have been protected for hunting and fishing access, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation activities such as hiking, mountain biking, paddling and backcountry skiing.
As a small business owner the quality of life in our state is a huge benefit in attracting top caliber employees.
Now, economists are saying those lands pay big economic dividends for another reason: they’re luring high-tech, health care, and other high-wage jobs to the West. According to a new report “West is Best: How Public Lands Create a Competitive Economic Advantage,” high-tech CEOs and western states like Idaho are leveraging nearby national parks and other public lands to lure top talent and create new jobs.
As a result, the West has outperformed the rest of the U.S. in key measures of economic growth — employment, population and personal income — during the last 40 years.
Many difficult choices will be made in Congress in the coming weeks.
As we measure those choices based on their effects on our communities and the economy, I encourage Idaho’s congressional delegation to ensure that continued investment in LWCF is at the top of the list. Let’s keep the west “best.”
References:
http://headwaterseconomics.org/land/west-is-best-value-of-public-lands/
http://www.lwcfcoalition.org/
GREG MCROBERTS, PRESIDENT & FOUNDER, VERDE FULFILLMENT USA, Boise
