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Issue One / The shootings in Connecticut
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Repeated carnage
When you hear the names and see all the faces of the oh-so-young and innocent victims of the Newtown, Conn., disaster it makes you wonder. What kind of monster exists that could wipe these children out so violently one after the other, after the other, after the other? How much rage and hatred could have possibly been built up in this character to perform such a vicious and cowardly act?
Officials are searching for a motive. Motive? There is no worldly motive that could justify such disregard for human life.
When we get past all the speeches and prayers of consolation it will be time, if anybody really gives a damn, to take the necessary steps to prevent these repeatedly senseless episodes of carnage. We can no longer set it aside. Please.
BILL SCHWARTZ
Scott
Improve care
It seems to me that we are missing something that is vitally important. In the effort to keep us safe from those who are likely to use assault weapons, we are focusing on weapons rather than realizing that what we are dealing with is a major mental-health care crisis.
We have no adequate system for hospitalizing someone long enough for doctors to do thorough mental-health evaluations, start the patient on medications and make sure the medications are not causing adverse side effects. Five days or less is not enough, especially if the patient is showing violent tendencies.
Patients are sent back to families who are ill equipped to handle them. It is not only dangerous to society at large, but it is unmerciful to the mentally ill and to their families. We are our brother's keeper.
SUZANNE UTTS
Harrison City
Blood money
It seems an especially appropriate time to publicly express my heartfelt congratulations to the leadership of the National Rifle Association, their supporters, the weapons dealers and far too many politicians. You have once again lined your pockets with hard-earned blood money.
Perhaps the U.S. Mint could etch the memories of the innocents of Newtown, Conn., and a great many others into your pieces of silver.
MAX MICHAEL SELLA
Coraopolis
Slaves to the NRA
As long as Congress remains beholden to the NRA, there will never be meaningful gun control legislation in America.
MORTON REICHBAUM
Squirrel Hill
First Published December 23, 2012 12:00 am
