It was refreshing
I was reading commentary letters in today's newspaper, and I wanted to say, frankly, that it was refreshing not to see the story of the children being shot in Connecticut on the front page. Some people might object to that. But we've seen that in every form of media ever since it happened. It was a tragedy. God help us. It was a tragedy. But it was refreshing not to see it on the front page of the Chronicle. God bless, and have a safe new year.
Both are news
I'm responding to the person who said, what is more newsworthy – the children getting killed or the Red Gate Bridge. Both are news. The editorial staff does wonders in putting this paper together. If the person would have a computer, they would have seen about the children being killed. It's an awful tragedy. But more news on that will create other people to copycat. I want to say happy holidays to everyone, and take care.
Guns and ads
I'm calling regarding a generous-sized ad for all types of guns in last Saturday's Chronicle. I realize Constitutional rights of the owner of the shop, but really thought it was inappropriate at a time when the country is weeping for all the young children and teachers in Newtown. Did anyone else feel this way?
We need more good stories
Hooray for the Chronicle for not putting the shooting on the front page. The shooting was on TV for three hours straight. We have killings in movies and TVs enough. We need more good stories for our kids. Enough with the killing and the death.
Open a pawn shop
Someone needs to open up an easy pawn shop. It would go over big in the Fox Valley area. It would be a good business for someone. Please open up an easy pawn shop.
Acts of kindness
I went to have my car fixed, and a lessen in humanity continued. I have so much to be thankful for this year. Stan reminded me of my blessings – to the Batavia paramedics who took my husband to the hospital twice and helped lift him back in his chair that he slipped out of trying to stand; to my neighbors' caring encouragement and support; to Stan Oke who owns a Mobil gas station in Batavia and treats everyone like family. My husband always took the car for necessary repairs and maintenance to Stan's gas stations but was unable currently. Stan offered me coffee, orange juice and water while I waited. A rush of other patrons occurred with flat tires or needing oil changes before family trips. Stan had a full garage and schedule already. He accommodated all the emergencies, telling everyone how long the wait would be. All understood and waited to the appropriate time. His staff is so kind, too. What touched me most is when he talked about our obligation to show an act of kindness in memory of the Sandy Hook community. He said that we all should think about doing 26. He knew that I had one car and a sick husband. I am grateful that his staff made my car safe for me to travel. I felt one of his 26. Stan is a small business owner with a huge heart. We want to support these businesses. Yes, Stan, I will complete 26.
Gun laws not needed
In reference to "The Republican agenda" item. The person who pontificated about the Republican party is sadly misinformed. Because there is not enough time to address each item, let's start with your gun-control argument, where you state that the gun laws on the books are not working. Do you understand that one person dies every 12 minutes in the United States in traffic accidents? That is 40,000 fatalities annually. Twenty-eight hundred per year choke on food and die, 77 of those on hot dogs alone. The worst school massacre in U.S. history took place in 1927 in Michigan, where 45 adults and children were killed. No guns were used. The killer, upset that he had lost a local election, used dynamite. Columbine took place in the middle of an assault gun ban. The Oklahoma City bombing was carried out with a [Ryder truck] and a fertilizer. And the worst mass murder in U.S. history was carried out with box cutters in airplanes. Does this mean we should ban autos, [Ryder trucks], dynamite, fertilizers and planes and hot dogs? Until the Utopians can figure out how to ban evil, sadly bad things will be perpetrated against innocent people. However, striking the Second Amendment and adding 1,000 gun laws to the already 20,000 laws on the books is not the answer. It will only guarantee that the fatalities will increase. Our founding fathers knew what they were doing when they wrote we have the right to keep and bear arms, so we have the right and means to protect ourselves. Hilter's first order of business was to take all firearms from the Jews. Did we not learn a valuable lesson here?
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