Cars, Second Amendment
Sowing and reaping
Regarding “Think you’re wasting a lot of time in traffic? You’re right (Front page, Aug. 22): While Houstonians were gleefully criticizing former Mayor Kathy Whitmire with chants of “Toot, Toot, Tootsie goodbye” they should have been embracing her plans for commuter rail in Houston.
The love affair with cars here in Texas reaps what it sows! And yes, I’m one of those Northern transplants, from Chicago, where we got along just fine with no car whatsoever. But, of course, as I write this I’m reminded of the bumper sticker that greeted me when I moved here that said, “I don’t really care how you did it up north!” I have to admit I laughed when I saw that. But with an average 75 hours a year wasted by commuters here in Houston, who’s laughing now? David Kelly, Spring
Major bullet point
On a daily basis there is the NRA and the Second Amendment being discussed and debated about “... the right of the people ... . ” What I very rarely see or hear is any mention of “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State ... . ” Well, is the National Guard not “well-regulated”? Is it not comprised “of the people”?
As a 70-year-old Vietnam veteran and gun owner, I believe the only reason why weapons of war are sold to the general public is money.
I don’t believe it’s about the Second Amendment. Darold D. Nowacki, Friendswood
Proper handling of threats
Regarding “Thumbs up, down” (Editorial, Aug. 17): Given recent mass violence in El Paso, Ohio and elsewhere across the country, we are reminded again how we must all take threats of mass violence seriously, especially when they involve airports, schools and other public places.
The Thumbs editorial took a dubious tone when discussing charges filed against a 17-year-old by police after FBI and other federal agents investigated a tip regarding a planned act of violence directed toward Bush Intercontinental Airport. Thumbs noted that a magistrate had advice for prosecutors as she pondered aloud whether the teen had any bomb making ability and suggested that should have been checked out. When it comes to charging a defendant for making such threats, the law does not require first determining the extent of a suspect’s capabilities, though agents did visit his house. We have a duty to protect the public. Anything less is unacceptable.
What Thumbs failed to note is that a magistrate thought enough of the case to find that there was sufficient evidence to warrant a charge and that the defendant should be arrested and brought before the court, where he was ordered to surrender his passport, not go near any airports, and not have any weapons. When somebody makes a specific threat at a specific target, we don’t have to wait for a trigger to be pulled or a detonator to be pushed. Dane Schiller, spokesman for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office
No need for special session
Regarding “Abbott: No need for guns special session” (City/State, Aug. 17): I agree with Gov. Greg Abbot. He should give this issue some time for it to really be decided on. This issue about gun control as a whole has been discussed and argued in every way imaginable, and it just isn’t an issue that is simple to solve. I think to give the public time to calm down and give everyone time to think on the issue is the best move. Max Merril, Houston