Political correctness or common courtesy?
Most gun owners are law-abiding citizens
Re the letter, “Who will protect the citizens?,” May 14: The debate on gun control, like abortion, will never be resolved.
A person’s perspective on this subject all depends on where he/she sits. The mindset of many people today regarding guns and concealed carry legislation is amazing and very emotional. Those who grew up around guns have tremendous respect for guns and typically don’t have a problem with them. Many who have never been exposed to guns are frightened and, perhaps, paranoid, mainly due to a lack of knowledge and understanding, in addition to the image of “weapons” portrayed in the media and the movies.
Gun control debates go back to pre-Constitution days. The framers of our Constitution migrated from Europe and intentionally included the Second Amendment for self-defense and to protect against the potential of a tyrannical government based on the history of Europe and the world. Our Constitution and the Second Amendment contribute to us being unique and free.
Most gun owners in the U.S. are decent, honest, law-abiding citizens who do not want to hurt anyone. Many are former military trained by our country. It’s the very small percentage of criminals highlighted in the media who give guns a bad reputation and act as a catalyst for the anti-gun groups. Even if we had extreme gun control in the U.S., this small percentage of mentally ill misfits, drug dealers and criminals would still obtain guns or other devices to hurt and kill people. This is human nature and, unfortunately, it’s been this way since the beginning of time and probably will never change.
Ohio and the country are not being “held hostage” by concealed carry legislation or those who have licenses. What we should be concerned about are the 1 percent of “bad apples,” and then the proper knowledge, skills and attitude of legal gun owners, with an emphasis on gun safety.
DENNIS LOVEJOY,
CCW holders aren’t committing crimes
Re “Politicians cower in front of NRA,” May 17: The letter writer stated “…they (NRA) want to be able to carry everywhere, shoot anyone, anytime, and have absolutely no liability.”
There are no statistics to back such statements. Persons legally licensed for concealed carry very rarely commit crimes, much less gun crimes. They don’t look for confrontation, and they don’t provoke or pull at the least provocation. Per recent news articles, local sheriffs back this fact. Ninety-nine percent of legal carriers never unholster their weapon except at a range.
As far as where carry is permitted, just realize where the unlicensed, illegal carriers shoot people. It’s malls, schools, government buildings, etc., where they know legal weapons are not currently permitted.
The bottom line is that legal CCW holders are not a problem (fact). If anyone can provide statistics (real stats) to the contrary, we would all be willing to consider facts, not emotional, unsubstantiated comments.
GARY LUCAS,
Ted Nugent’s recent hate-filled tirades have gotten a lot of attention in the media, yet it’s not clear what he is so angry about. He seems to be doing well and I assume he must have a stockpile of weapons by the way he talks. Yet he rants and raves like someone who has suffered severe hardships and many injustices. He spews out these nonsensical statements, accusing just about anyone who is not a far-right darling of the NRA of being criminals who should have their heads cut off.
When he is criticized for his outrageous statements, he throws another hissy fit, making obscene statements to people who are doing nothing more than accommodating his insatiable need for attention. He complains about how all his troubles stem from the liberals, and their love of political correctness.
This buzzword “political correctness” is making a comeback with the right-wing extremists. It seems to me that this angry group of whiners are confusing PC with common courtesy. To them, it’s OK to shout, curse and bully anyone who might be of a different opinion, but if anyone dares to stand up to them, they stomp their feet and yell about evil liberals and PC.
All I can say is I’m glad Ted Nugent and others like him are not representing my side.
TONI VEST,
Checking insurance coverage complicated
It was with great interest that I read the May 24 article, “Billing dispute spurs changes at hospital.” We have had similar experiences at several hospitals in the area.
At Miami Valley Hospital, the anesthesia group did not accept our insurance, though the hospital and surgeon did. Unfortunately, we did not find this out until after the surgery. We were able to negotiate a deal with them. At Children’s, the insurance covered an actual Xray, but not the reading by the radiologist, since the radiology group did not take our insurance at the time.
Now, whenever we have procedures performed, we try and check to make sure all involved take our insurance, though this can be a difficult task. Contract groups or individuals that may not take your insurance, even though the hospital does, include radiologists, anesthesiologists, ER physicians and pathologists. It is a complicated process even for me and I am a physician.
NEIL KATZ,
Re “Reid’s sexist crony at nuke commission gets the boot,” May 25: I was born and raised during the Depression and World War II, and always had a passionate interest in our political processes. And never, in all these years, have I heard of a president of the United States referred to as “head goon-in-chief.” Michelle Malkin’s comment is an insult to every citizen of this great country. She owes all of us an apology.
So, President Obama claims it is bad for someone who used to head Bain Capital to be elected president because that company laid off many people and terminated their pensions and medical. This happened long after Mitt Romney left the company. Now on the other hand, it is OK for the president to hand General Motors over to union thugs and to terminate pensions and medical for thousands of Dayton-area Delphi salaried employees. Go figure. Double standards!
Why doesn’t the post office set up a table/ stand/booth at the airports by the security check-in lines? This would give the people the option of being able to keep something they forgot to leave at home and that they would hate to lose forever. I know I would gladly pay to ship something back to my house rather than have security confiscate it and lose it forever. It would give the postal service an added income — maybe save some jobs — and help the passengers at the same time.
I have sympathy for retired athletes with medical conditions because management doesn’t disclose the downsides very well, but I have no sympathy for the financial stupidity of people who make more in a year than I made in my career. How many Cadillac Escalades does one need?