We live in a society that glamorizes violence.
Jamie Foxx is shown in a commercial for “Django Unchained,” a Quentin Tarentino movie, telling a bound man as he kills him; “I like the way you die, Boy!” I guess that violence in the movies is just cool if it has a great sound track and edgy actors.
The popular video games, Call of Duty and Battlefield 3, are of the most violent. These games are known as First Person Shooters. But when you think about it two and be honest with ourselves these games are combat simulators.
NASA used to train the flight crew for the Space Shuttle with flight simulators. It would seem logical that if NASA can use a simulator to train shuttle pilots these “games” can be used to train killers.
The idea that a prohibition on semi-automatic weapons would solve the violence problem in America is a feel-good measure that will be of little benefit, if any at all.
As we know, the Wehrmacht and the SS were not very likely to arm their enemy. During World War II, Russian partisans used empty vodka bottles, a thickened fuel, and a lit rag against German tanks, armored vehicles, and infantry on the steppes, streets and back alleys.
It was a very effective improvised weapon that killed and demoralized scores of German soldiers.
A person bent on taking the lives of innocent people for their own sick sense of righteousness can, with very little work, build deadly improvised weapons just like the Russian partisans.
We saw improvised explosives used by Timothy McVeigh in Oklahoma City a few years ago. He used normal household chemicals and a rented truck for his evil cause, a firearm would not have the effect and make his statement.
His perverse idea of justice claimed 167 innocent lives.
There is only one person who is to blame for the tragedy in Newtown, Conn.; that is Adam Lanza. He alone killed innocents.
Responsible gun owners are not the ones who are causing the tragedies we see today. Blanket bans and increased regulations on those citizens will not have an appreciable effect on gun violence or keep guns out of the hands of mentally unbalanced people.
We can keep weapons out of the hands of people with mental difficulties only when doctors are required to report those patients they feel are a threat to themselves or others to the appropriate authorities.
If the family members have reason to be concerned over a person’s mental health, shouldn’t any weapons held in the household be secured in a safe or storage locker?
It would seem to me that taking those actions would be part of any due diligence one should take if they were contemplating conservatorship or other legal actions for that person.
Shouldn’t personal responsibility extend here as well? Shouldn’t the psychiatrists and legal professionals recommend this type of action? This was a safety issue that sadly was not contemplated.
I can forgive Mrs. Lanza, as she had a cross to bear that many of us cannot comprehend, but I cannot forgive the doctors and lawyers. They should have known better and asked, “What if ... ?”
In this sad chapter of American history we need to remember that the simplest weapons are often the most dangerous. Any tool is only as dangerous as the person behind that tool.
A few lowly box cutters, just a common tool you and I have in our toolbox, have killed more Americans in one day than any other weapon in recent history.
That wretched day was Sept. 11, 2001.
Jeff Robinette
Cumberland
Letters
These ‘games’ are serving to train killers
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Walk Smart
Many local residents will be visiting Ocean City this summer, so it is worth noting that the resort has launched a campaign that it hopes will keep pedestrians out of harm’s way.
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Trailer case bound to increase scrutiny on town of Piedmont
This letter is in response to the recent story concerning the guilty plea entered in federal court by Piedmont’s town foreman (“Piedmont town foreman Shingler enters guilty plea,” May 21 Times-News, Page 1A).
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Fixing community’s problems starts with your young people
I am writing this letter to the editor because I think our community really needs to work on plenty of issues. Some of them are:
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Why are there no answers to these questions?
We currently have the most corrupt administration in the history of the country. Every day more and more lies come from the Obama administration.
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Roaming dogs prove menace to some residents of LaVale
I am writing to inform your readers and the animal control staff of Allegany about a problem that is dragging on and unresolved, yet.
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These types should look to the Boy Scouts for an example
Consider these headlines:
NRA will “Never Surrender.”
The Tea Party will “Never Surrender.”
The No Tax Group will “Never surrender.”
Neocons will “Never Surrender.”
Far Left Liberals will “Never Surrender.” -
Housing project will have bad effect on property in this area
I am writing to you to voice my opposition to a low income housing project that has been proposed for construction on a tract of land on Pine Swamp Road in Mineral County, W.Va. I am a registered voter and resident of Mineral County and live in the New Creek/Pine Swamp area.
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Why have the media been silent all this time?
When I read the Cumberland Times-News Editorial this morning, Friday, May 17, entitled, “Outrageous,” I laughed like a kid at a birthday party!
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What are chances this much money will be spent on road?
I was intrigued by cost data summarized in reporter Kathy Mellott’s recent article, “Completing southern link of U.S. Route 219 said to be best use of highway funds,” which appeared in the Cumberland Times-News on Tuesday May 14 (Page 1A).
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School board should be doing better job with less money
The Allegany County Teachers Association (ACTA) board of directors recently submitted a letter to the editor asking the Allegany County commissioners to fully fund the Board of Education’s budget request for the upcoming fiscal year (“Commissioners should fund school board request,” April 29 Times-News).
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