'Give armed security jobs to veterans' and other letters to the editors

Give armed security jobs to veterans

Most everyone is aware this country has lost its mind.

Do we want a principal or teacher to have to decide whether or not to shoot someone?

If they are OK with that, then fine, but why not offer armed security jobs to honorably discharged veterans?

They are already trained, disciplined and fully qualified for those kind of jobs. Some are retired or ready to retire, and some haven't been able to find jobs after their tours of duty serving our country.

They could even be part-time jobs, with two veterans working one school, movie theater, mall.

Taking guns away isn't the answer. The bad guys always have access while law-abiding citizens would not.

There is no fear of God anymore -- which I feel is the problem.

Most of our veterans have seen it all. Maybe they are the ones to make these "mentally challenged" individuals think twice about killing innocent children and people.

LINDA MEYER, Ringgold, Ga.


Join the efforts to stop violence

I address my comments to anyone who is heartbroken over the tragic loss of lives and hopes in Connecticut on Dec. 14. Let us work together to find a way to stop the needless loss and pain. Shower your congressman with pleas for legislation that stops acquisition of assault weapons. Lobby for better mental health care. Think creatively and make public your ideas of how we can make a difference. I will join efforts to stop the violence.

JANET McCOLLOUGH, Lookout Mountain


Maybe Iraq is more peaceful

I'm sure it will be a comfort to those parents in Sandy Hook who are wondering how they are going to get through Christmas without their beloved child; to know that their tragedy will lead to a prosperous Christmas for sellers of weapons similar -- and more powerful -- than those used to kill all their children!

I'm disgusted and ashamed to live in such a violent environment. Perhaps I should consider moving to a more peaceful location -- maybe Iraq?

MARIANNE W. DOUGLAS


Mental illness, not guns is the problem

David Cook writes "Guns kill, not autism," (Dec. 19). He says do not blame mental illness. Don't even dare. I do dare. Using his logic, drunk drivers don't kill people, cars do. So let's outlaw ownership of cars.

No sane person goes into a movie theater, school, shopping mall or any other place and randomly kills innocent people. Timothy McVeigh killed 168 people including 19 children and injured 450 others without firing a shot. The absence of a firearm will not keep a mentally disturbed person from killing. Every mass murderer we've seen lately has come from an affluent, dysfunctional family, was highly intelligent, a recluse and a fan of violent video games.

The problem isn't the presence of firearms but the denial by liberals like David Cook that mental illness is the problem, not guns.

JIM SISK, Red Bank


First response can be sooner

Why do sickos (attackers) go to schools to unleash their mayhem? Because "gun-free zones" are target-rich environments. Commercial airliners were target-rich environments also until air marshals were put on board to deter sickos.

News reports said that the sicko in Connecticut stopped his mayhem when first responders arrived, which lessened the loss of life. If teachers or staffers at the school had been trained and prepared with handguns, the first response would have been much sooner and the loss of life much less.

NORMAN ISENHART


Bork was a patriot, deserves thanks

RIP, Robert Bork. He was the most qualified potential Supreme Court justice ever to be denied the bench. The nasty process by which that dastardly deed was executed will forever bear his name. He championed what is right, the originalist approach to constitutional law. Our Constitution is really about ethics, and ethics should not change with the times.

He wrote two of the most important pieces of social commentary of the 20th century. Every American should read one of those, "Slouching Toward Gommorah," post haste as it is so pertinent to our present situation.

He was a true patriot and deserves the thanks of the nation that he so loved. But, alas, he will not get it.

KEVIN H. ROBERTS

Developers paint pretty pictures

To call the meeting Councilwoman Ladd had for the community a "discussion" about the proposed mega-development on Highway 153 is nothing short of a sham. She managed the meeting in such a way that attendees asked questions, she interpreted the meaning of the questions (however it best fit her purpose) while spoon-feeding them back to the development team, and left no time or opportunity for the attendees to comment.

The developer and his hired guns talked a lot about their "intent" to do things the community has been requesting since last spring. When do they intend to do them? Never. They paint pretty pictures, make empty promises and tell stories in an effort to get our buy-in. Their real purpose is to get a speculative rezoning passed so they can sell off the property for a higher price down the road. That's why they will do anything, say anything and promise anything to the community and its leaders to make the rezoning pass.

The people of Hixson and Greater Chattanooga can promise our city's leaders one thing the developer cannot. We can promise our voice will be heard one way or another come election day.

DANA BARASHA, Hixson


Absentee father the real cause?

I am deeply saddened by the horrific tragedy in Newtown, Conn. But what is most upsetting to me is where the blame is being laid. First it is the guns. The knee-jerk reaction is to have stronger gun control. Then it was to provide more funding for mental health services. Then it was movies and video games. In my opinion, these are not the root cause.

Where was this boy's father? Was he involved in some meaningful way with this young man? Did he spend time with him? He is divorced, and he has a high-paying, high-profile job with a large corporation 60 miles from Newtown. But it is not "politically correct" to talk about absentee fathers. That cuts to close to home. When will America wake up to face and correct the real cause?

BEN BRYCHTA, Hixson


Guns and drugs, a toxic combination

I was horrified and saddened by the slaughter of small children and teachers at a Connecticut school. I expect to hear a chorus of gun-control laws, and that's understandable. If all AK47s and look-alikes were melted into plowshares, it would be fine by me. Also, all pistols should be limited to three rounds. No hunter should need an assault rifle. They're made to kill people, plain and simple.

But guns are not part of the equation. Drugs are a huge national problem and I dare say some of the shooters may have been on them.

My nurse wife reminded me that several years ago, it became politically incorrect to place someone in an institution against their will. None of them are apt to go willingly. Their families are left to cope with them the best they can.

Also, some kids are unpopular at school and feel no one cares and hatch a plan to get even.

You take a youth who feels disenfranchised, with easy access to drugs and assault weapons and the results can be catastrophic.

All people in an authority position should have a gun. That would make that principal's job much easier than trying to stop the killer with her bare hands.

GEORGE THOMPSON, Blairsville, Ga.

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