SCHOOL SAFETY

Call in the National Guard?

Once again the hand-wringing begins — what can we do that costs nothing to end gun violence in America?

My personal belief is that we would be well-served to have armed guards in our schools. How can this be accomplished at a minimal cost? Why not use our National Guard troops?

The chance of America being invaded in the classical way is so remote as to be laughable and what could be more important to guard than our children?

These troops already have the arms and training to use them. Their presence should be a large deterrent to the sick little homicidal maniacs our permissive society has produced.

If it would bring back even one of the children so brutally murdered they could take all my guns but sadly that can’t happen.

So give it some thought, do you really believe we can legislate the insanity out of the human race?

GARY PORTENIER, Caldwell

A better security solution

Face it, there is no way that we are going to equip our teachers and principals with firearms.

However, there is a better way of securing our schools and thus protecting our children and their teachers.

At one time in my life I lived in group housing. It was a four-story structure with eight apartments on each floor. In order to enter the building you had to have a pass key. Then in order to enter your room you had to have another pass key. I think you know where I am going with this. As far as the recent tragedy goes, it is a possible solution, maybe not the only one, but it’s a start.

ROBERT BUNGARD, Boise

Make use of technology

School security doesn’t require armed guards. It does require a little planning, common sense and a little bit of currently available technology.

School campuses need to be secured to allow entrance from one primary point. All visitors must check in at the front office. While many schools already have policies like these, you’d be surprised at how often it is not enforced.

From that front office area, fire doors, with the capability to be manually triggered should be required. The right design can create a mantrap area that would hold a threatening visitor until help arrives. Further, if the intruder starts shooting, the fire sprinklers should be triggered. While that in itself will not stop a bullet, it will disrupt the shooter.

Then, like is done for fire alarms, lockdown procedures must be communicated and practiced. While it is sad that we even have to think about procedures like this, if everyone is aware of them, the chances of survival are better.

There are evil people in the world and no law will stop them. Like the threat of a fire, we need to be prepared. That to me is a more effective approach versus armed guards.

CARL SARRAZOLLA, Meridian

TAXES

Estate tax is neither unfair nor sickening

Regarding Jack Wood’s Dec. 19 letter on the estate tax, I have an opposing viewpoint.

If the estate tax will lower other taxes while you are alive, wouldn’t you rather pay taxes when you’re dead rather than alive? I would.

Regarding heirs: Your wages, interest, dividends and capital gains are immediately taxed, but there is a $5 million exemption for estates, doesn’t sound unfair or sickening to me. Sounds like a nice windfall.

And the yellow pages have plenty of estate-planning services. Wealthy folks can pass on a lot of wealth before the estate is subject to estate taxes. Just requires a bit of proactive thinking.

JOHN NERISON, Meridian

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Ditch the hate mail

I can’t figure out why you publish letters that obviously fall into the category of political hate mail, religious proselyting tracts or diatribes from pathological liars. I can’t believe these ravings help sell papers.

I’m sure you receive many thoughtful, well-written, insightful letters on all sides of current issues, that could be printed to stimulate exchanges that would actually interest and benefit your readers.

CHARLENE CURRY, Boise