LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Gun laws can be reasonable
I find it unfortunate the delegate john Doyle’s proposed legislation to limit gun sales to two per month does not gain any traction in Charleston. Once again, this bill will likely not make it to the floor for a vote. The intent is to limit the escalating trafficking of guns across state lines.
To those that argue that such a law would violate 2nd Amendment rights, I say hogwash. If it, or any sensible requirement such as background checks at private shows, poses a slight inconvenience to gun collectors, tough. I don’t like the fact I can’t even take a bottle of shampoo on an airplane, but it’s a dangerous world we live in. How many arms does a person need to bear? In ten years, at two guns per month, under Doyle’s regulation, one could still accumulate 240 guns. The notion that it would be the beginning of a slippery slope toward eroding the 2nd Amendment just doesn’t hold water. I don’t believe the right of law-abiding citizens to purchase and own guns has ever been threatened nor have any legal guns been confiscated here or anywhere else in the United States. But fear tactics from extremists like the NRA would have you believe that democracy ends with sensible gun laws that simply target the bad guys.
Are gun laws effective? No matter how many statistics I could possibly cite, the no-gun-law fanatics will say otherwise.
As for other politicians who continually reject Mr. Doyle’s proposal, shame on you. I hate to think it’s about money and votes, even though 80 percent of gun owners and nearly 90 percent of all people favor sensible regulation. The US leads the world in gun ownership and gun violence. It’s up to 10,000 murders a year and no nation comes remotely close. Yet, only a few representatives like john Doyle stand up for moral decency and say enough is enough. Making it easy for bad and deranged people to buy guns should never be considered a good idea.
As for gun dealers who sell guns by the carload to bad people, I guess you are off the hook. I guess it would be against current law to do otherwise…how totally tragic.
Oh, did I mention that people on the no-fly terrorist list can legally buy a gun. Maybe we can’t end the madness, but we should begin to try.
Steve Warner
Shepherdstown
Where’s the balance?
I applauded The Spirit of Jefferson’s stance when its editor suspended for the duration of this election year the editorial columns of those running for political office. I had assumed this was in the interest of fairness, accuracy, and balance.
I was disappointed to find such a biased, one-sided, and blatantly political piece — the column by Virginia Lynch Graf on Feb. 22 — as a replacement. Certainly equally pointed arguments could be written from the conservative point of view decrying the name-calling, unbridled government spending, labor union excesses, perversion of scientific studies, and character assassination on the part of liberals.
I urge The Spirit of Jefferson to provide its readers with balance, reason, and well thought out specific solutions to our nation’s problems rather than one-sided political platitudes.
John Bagladi
Harpers Ferry
The March of Dimes needs you
At the March of Dimes, we promise to work tirelessly toward the day when all babies are born healthy.
Babies have been at the heart of our mission since 1958, when our mission focus became infant and child health. Although you may not realize it, you have been touched by the March of Dimes if: You or your child received a polio vaccine; You took the B vitamin folic acid before and during pregnancy to prevent birth defects; You or someone you know is one of the 12 percent of parents who had a premature baby in West Virginia last year; You had a healthy baby due in part to good prenatal care at home and from your doctor or nurse.
The March of Dimes provides support and resources to families in the NICU wondering when or if they’ll be able to take their baby home. We also work to prevent prematurity, birth defects and infant mortality through research and community-based programs.
March for Babies is the easiest way you can support our mission. Join the hundreds of walkers who walk in Jefferson and Berkeley Counties each year to raise much-needed funds. This year’s events will take place on April 28, 2012 at War Memorial Park in Martinsburg and May 12, 2012 at Morgan’s Grove Park in Shepherdstown. We welcome families, friends and individuals to attend the event. Babies are especially welcome.
Let’s walk together for stronger, healthier babies. Sign up at marchforbabies.org.
Michelle Coffey
Community Director
March of Dimes
Community input needed
We are advised that the Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Department will hold a meeting at 10 a.m. in the basement of the Charles Town Library on March 2 to allow community members to hear an explanation of the Twin Oaks Subdivision application for a Conditional Use Permit (CPU) to pursue plans for development of Morgan’s Grove Market. This is an excellent opportunity for those of us who are concerned about potential impacts on Morgan’s Grove Park and the surrounding community to be fully briefed and express our views in a timely manner. The next Planning Committee session, which will probably take an initial look at this request, is scheduled for March 13.
Those who were involved in the earlier battle over rezoning of this long-contested property may recall that we argued that the “CUP” route was preferable over inappropriate rezoning. We were fortunate enough to get what we wanted so now the onus is on us to make sure that we fully support due process in properly considering this request. I would urge everyone who shares our interest in Morgan’s Grove to plan to participate in the meeting and forthrightly express their views. You can read and make copies of the CUP application beforehand by visiting the Planning and Zoning Department office at 116 East Washington St. in Charles Town. Unfortunately the material is not available online.
Following the March 2 discussion, after we are fully informed we can decide what additional steps might be necessary and appropriate in furthering the interests of the greater Shepherdstown community.
Mike Austin
President Emeritus
Shepherdstown Community Club
