READERSWRITE
CLARIFYING A STANCE
Regarding my position in relation to the improvement of security stated in last week’s edition, I want to make it very clear that I emphatically oppose the death penalty, and believe that the present government decidedly shares this view. I find this clarification necessary because of a reference made to this subject in the Times’ editorial “Armed and dangerous” published in the same edition. Harry Ingham City.
HOW MANY MORE LIVES MUST BE LOST?
“My prayers and condolences to the families of the victims of the terrible Florida shooting. No child, teacher or anyone else should ever feel unsafe in an American school.”
This is what Donald Trump said after 17 pe oplewerekilledb ya 19 ye arold gunman, armed with a legally purchased AR-15 assault rifle, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14.
Idon’ tthinkthatt he parentsandr el a tives oft he victims,ort he irclass mates, ne ed Trump’s “prayers and condolences.” That’s far from enough. Those are just words, empty words, convenient words that amount to nothing.
President Trump, lawmakers and the US Congress should listen to those kids, the “survivors,” who are now firmly demanding gun control. And they won’t be silenced. Nothing will stop them. They have grown up in less than 20 minutes. And they must be heard.
This leads us to the NRA (National Rifle Association) and its huge power and weight in American politics. Why does it protect the Second Amendment so strongly? Let’s bear in mind that the Second Amendment, adopted way back in 1791, protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms. 1791 to 2018. Shouldn’t that be updated? Isn’t it high time? How many moreliveswillb el os t un tilth ata na ch ronic amendment is revised and changed?
Prayers are useless, Mr Tr ump. America’s kids need much more than prayers to stay alive. Irene Bianchi Ringuelet, La Plata irenebeatrizbianchi@hotmail.com
RIGHTING A HUGE WRONG
I’m furious about the confused notion of law and order in Argentina.
Our president and his smart, strong and commonsensical security minister are trying to right a huge wrong concerning Luis Chocobar, who though off- duty intervened and shot one of the criminals who had stabbed a tourist 10 times. As a consequence of which he is now in huge trouble.
Yes, not honoured. Quite the opposite: US$20,000 bail and facing trial for manslaughter. A horrible gamechanger for this man and a strong signal to all the cops patrolling Buenos Aires, protecting us from so much crime, to stay away, to do nothing.
I copy here a comment in English making the rounds on the Internet.
“Off-duty cop will go to jail and thief who survived will get his knife back and compensation for lost time. Tourist who got stabbed will be required to give camera and mobile phone to thief as Christmas gift. Welcome to Argentina!” Silvia Waisman Via email.