‘Tyranny’ only in Bradley’s mind
We must balance our rights
I found the recent demonstration against the safer-at-home lockdown to be disturbing. I sympathize with some of the grievances of the protesters in Madison, and, like them, I am concerned about losing my constitutional rights.
However, I think that we need to balance our individual rights with the needs of the community as a whole. With rights go responsibilities. I may have the right to expose myself to COVID-19, but I do not have the right to expose others to an infection I may have.
It bothered me that people showed up at the demonstration carrying firearms. I am an Army vet, and I am familiar with weapons. Sometimes, I go shooting with my eldest son, who also happens to be a veteran.
I understand that those persons who showed up at the event with guns have the right to do so. However, that decision does not seem smart or safe to me. Why bring a weapon to a gathering where emotions are running high? Just because a person can do something, does not mean that they should.
Statewide response needed
There have been calls by Republican leaders and others to open up the state on a county-by-county basis. Sounds great in theory, but what about reality?
Say two people live in county A, which has a high rate of COVID-19 cases. They drive to a County B — which has very few cases, is only a two-hour drive and is opening up — stop and get some ice cream, maybe stop at an antique shop and then drive home. All is well, right?
What if they are asymptomatic and unknowingly pass the virus to the clerk at the ice cream store? Are they the only tourists from county A that stopped there? Are we going to restrict travel from one county to another?
Speaking for myself, I’ll gladly stay at home and be bored for a little longer if it means not putting someone else’s life at risk.
Open up on May 20
Francis Pauc
Oak Creek
Steve Burek
Let’s officially open the state of Wisconsin and the United States on May 20. That’s a good round number and gives everyone about two weeks to prepare.
Everything opens and there is only one stipulation: All media coverage will cease, effective that date. This includes television, print and related modes of communication. We don’t have to hear any more about “social distancing” or “shelter in place”.
Also, by now I presume everyone knows to wash your hands and cover your mouth? I am sure some people will still get sick and, unfortunately, some will die, just as in past years.
But everyone can then make their own decisions about going out and participating in daily life.
Michael Ewens
New Berlin
Honoring Memorial Day
In response to Mike Kowske’s Apr. 26 letter, “Disrespecting the fallen,” I don’t believe when Gov. Tony Evers extended the safer at home order to May 26 his intention was to disrespect those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
More likely it was because May 26 would get us through a holiday weekend that normally brings large groups of people together. Maybe by keeping people apart through May we might be able to enjoy July 4 in a more traditional manner?
I think we have to be careful when we appear to make judgments about someone’s patriotism. It’s something that is impossible to make an objective evaluation of. I don’t know what’s in Evers’ heart, but I believe he meant no disrespect.
A bigger problem is that most Americans don’t understand what the holiday is about. As the son of a D-Day (Omaha Beach) vet, it pains me to see how most people view Memorial Day. It’s seen as the traditional kickoff to summer, sales at the stores, a time to plant flowers or maybe just an excuse to sit around in the backyard drinking.
If the letter writer is one of those few who actually take time on Memorial Day to reflect, remember and honor those who have fallen to protect us, I applaud him. But I’m afraid he’s in the minority. The majority of Americans are willfully historically ignorant.
John LeMieux
Waukesha
We don’t need another study
It is the height of arrogance to spend money on a study of why Black Milwaukeeans are dying at higher rates of COVID-19.
Racism and poverty cause poor health and death. We know this already. Now do something about it before more people die unnecessarily.
Give the money directly to the people who are suffering with health conditions. Let them stay home from their frontline jobs and support them financially, along with other at-risk people.
I don’t want to read another article documenting this disturbing trend. I want it fixed.
Kimberly Luedke
To answer Justice Rebecca Bradley’s question of whether Gov. Tony Evers’ extension is “the very definition of tyranny,” no, it is not (“Justices take up stay-at-home order,” May 6).
The definition includes the idea that the oppression is cruel.
How is an action designed to prevent deaths cruel?
And can Bradley compare Evers’ stay-at-home order — in a state with confirmed cases climbing — to the Japanese internment camps during World War II?
Evers is asking people to stay in their own comfortable homes, to work from those homes, to sit on their couches and watch television while the government pays them through the unemployment fund, equal in many cases to what they were making while working (counting those $600 federal checks).
I would like to know how those who were interned feel about Bradley’s comparison.
If Wisconsinites would follow the guidelines and wear masks, we would be able to reopen sooner without disastrous consequences.
Listen to the scientists.
Mary Rutoski
Whitewater
Thank you to Piet Levy
Thanks to Piet Levy and his tireless efforts to cover all aspects of the arts and entertainment. Although I’ve long admired his ability to review so many live shows and local artists, his recent coverage of the crisis and how it impacts the small clubs (“A pause in the music,” April 26) to the bigger venues (“Music venues look to allies, Washington to survive,” May 2) shows his dedication to all aspects of our local culture. We’re lucky to have him.
Live entertainment is not a luxury but a necessity for a vibrant society. The ecosystem of restaurants, bars, hotels and car rentals depend on these gathering hubs. Aside from the economic importance, many smaller clubs are the “farm leagues” for our future music legends. We cannot let them fail.
Thank you, Piet, the Journal Sentinel and the National Independent Venue Association for putting a spotlight on this dire situation. We have to move swiftly and support all efforts to be sure the real spotlights get safely turned on as soon as possible.
Please email your letters to jsedit@jrn.com, or mail them to Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, P.O. Box 371, Milwaukee, Wis. 53201-0371. Letters should be about 200 words.
LUCIUS NIEMAN
HARRY J. GRANT
Brad Smith
SOLOMON JUNEAU