Letters January 20, 2011

Posted 1/21/11

Outlaw handguns

It’s Sunday noon and I’m in front of my house chopping and removing ice that’s in the street. Two people stopped to offer help: a woman who parked her car and came up to me …

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Letters January 20, 2011

Posted

Outlaw handguns

It’s Sunday noon and I’m in front of my house chopping and removing ice that’s in the street. Two people stopped to offer help: a woman who parked her car and came up to me and a man on foot. I declined their assistance and explained that I am so angry I have to release my venom by working out.

This morning I watched a couple of hours of pundit talk on TV. The subject was the Arizona shootings. In every case the talk was about health care and how to deal with the crazies out there. To me, that is avoiding the issue. There will always be crazies. Restrict guns – nothing smaller than a rifle. The First Amendment shouters forget that what they call their “rights” threatens the rest of us.

I pay taxes. Let the city, state and federal police protect me. Their job would be much easier if handguns were outlawed.

And the politicians, those pusillanimous mealy-mouths, are afraid to cross the gun lobby. I, and there are millions of voters like me, would be delighted to support an anti-gun legislator. If killers were restrained by single thrust weapons like knives, swords or bows and arrows, we’d all be much safer. I’ve become a single-issue voter: no guns.

Maggie Wolman

Mt. Airy

Urban forest management starts with deer

Managing the deer population in the Wissahickon is the first essential step in managing to conserve and protect our urban forests. It would be a waste of time to proceed with other conservation efforts without first bringing the deer population to within reasonable levels so that the forest has a chance to regenerate.

Seedling and sapling development without browsing by deer is essential for a healthy forest. Deer and other animals, including us, have a place in our extraordinary Wissahickon Park. Overpopulation of deer is only one of many stresses that contribute to a deterioration of a healthy urban forest.

We have a long trail of challenges to meet in order to conserve and protect our parks. I certainly support the co-operating efforts of organizations and government agencies that attempt to manage our parks and natural areas for public good.

Ken LeRoy

Blue Bell

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