Sound Off!: April 2007

Monday, April 30, 2007

The Survey

Subject: The Thought Police and the American Community Survey

I just received my American Community Survey today, did a Google search and ran accross your article. Thank you for clearing up the fines as I desperately want to ignore receiving this damn thing. This survey needs to be printed in leading newspapers so every citizen can be totally aware of how damaged our rights have become. I'm losing all hope of ever recooping my liberties and am hedging upon just giving up and sticking my head in the Star magazine and watching nothing but inane celebrity gossip TV shows. Three cheers to you for being brave enough to fight the power. If you go missing I'll launch a search of Syria and Egypt for you.

--BJ

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Violence Column

Subject: Why Is America So Violent?

As someone that regularly enjoys your insights, I must state that the recent column on violence was not your best work.
First blaming technology is quite frankly silly. It is the time that we spend with family that you meant, but the use of verbage made it appear another way.

Secondly, the violence in America has decreased over the last century in any macro sense. Even before the war on drugs and freeing of the slaves post-civil war, the nation was a violent nation.

The reason is freedom and it is not something that can be changed without giving up that same precious commodity.

Also, to teach more non-violence, is to accomplish the following:

1. Make more sheep when evil predators attack. Hiding under desks when action should be taken. Cruel, but action is not the first thought, nor is self defense.

2. Increase the cult of the passive that causes our nation to be unwilling or unable to consider the use of excessive military force to defeat any enemy quickly in a traditional western fashion (See Carnage and Culture for an example of the former Western Way of War and how Bush has failed to follow it)

Thank you for your time righting these articles though. As an author myself, I appreciate anyone that takes the time to put their thoughts on paper (or now electronic formats)

--Cody

The Free World

Subject: Why Is America So Violent?

America is the most peaceful country in the free world. Compare us with the cannibals in Africa. Compare us with the drug lords in South America.

Abraham Lincoln's invasion of the South was like Russia going into Hungary in 1958.

How about Chechnea (or however you spell it) in more recent years.

Damn, the Euro-honkies ran rampages through the tribal lands of the people who were here first and the northeastern media called them savages.

We were the imperial invaders in Mexican territory and made heroes of soldiers who slaughtered men, women, and children.
Violence in America? No way.

The only way to curb violence is to give up all freedoms and bow to the nation of Islam or somebody like that.

Curb violence? Enforce the laws and start hanging people on the courthouse square on Saturdays.

Try it. It'll be good for the economy.

--Goodloe

Monday, April 23, 2007

Venting on the Virginia Tech Massacre & Need to Limit Gun Rights to U.S. Citizens

Subject: Making Sense of the Virginia Tech Massacre

When I heard and read that former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge would be heading up a panel to investigate the massacre at Virginia Tech, and that the purpose of the panel was not to "lay any blame," I wanted to puke! There is so much blame which should be uncovered, on the part of so many different parties, I hardly know where to start! But let's start with the fact that non-citizen foreign nationals with years of antisocial behavior beneath their belt are able to purchase firearms here in America, instead of that right being restricted to law-abiding, mentally stable American CITIZENS! If we don't allow non citizens to vote here in America, at least not legally, why in the name of all that professes to be holy do we allow aliens to possess firearms!

Secondly, the sickening tragedy at virginia Tech occurred because the authorities narrowed their choice of potential perps of the original two murders on a boyfriend who happened to be a gun enthusiast, rather than assuming, as the law enforcement agency should have, that the murderer could be any number of individuals, and that warnings should have been broadcast over loudspeakers all over the campus, letting the 26,000 students know what was going down.

Thirdly, Virginia Tech is radically at fault for their failure to kick Cho off the campus, rather than pandering to his minority immigrant status to such an enormous extend. I can just imagine what one of my college instructors would have said if I had informed them I was anti-social, and wanted to be dealt with one-on-one. No doubt, they would have shut the door in the face and told me to seek counseling for self-centeredness.

Fourth, I blame our government's immigration policies for this tragedy. Why? Because of our American policy of allowing virtually any foreign national to remain in this country, even if they serve virtually no useful purpose whatever! Just this past week, the figures were released in the newspapers and on the internet, claiming that 1 in 2 Americans are dependent on the government for their survival. How nice! And guess what, folks? Supposedly, 40% of those who feed at the social-welfare trough are immigrants! That being the case, why doesn't our government have a review process, a score-card if you will, in which immigrants are evaluated. If after a reasonable period of time, immigrants are still stucking at the trough, instead of assimilating and contributing to the success of the American economy, or if they are 18 years of age, and have displayed disturbing psychological tendencies, or have committed three of more serious crimes as a juvenile, then why aren't we rescinding the visas of such immigrants and sending them packing, at THEIR expense, not the taxpayers? The very designation of "permanent resident alien" is abhorrent to me! Those with drivers licenses get evaluated every five years, to make sure they can see well enough to drive. Are you telling me that the records of foreign nationals can't be reviewed at
least that often, to verify whether those foreign nationals are an asset of a liability to the American society.

Yes, we have been exceedingly tolerant to this point, even following 9/11. But I for one have run out of patience, and want my government to start acting in a responsible manner, and placing the rights and protection of American citizens over the rights of foreigners who are here because of an insane degree of openness. To continue to do so could very well lead to the downfall of America.

--An Outraged Citizen

2nd Amendment

Subject: Do American Citizens Have a Right to Own a Gun?

A major flaw in the 2nd Amendment (and the Declaration of Independence) is its statement that the people have a "right." So far as I know, the Bible never speaks of depraved sinners (natural humans) as having "rights," except the right to be punished for their sins. Blessings in scripture come to humans because of the grace of God, not because of "rights."

Notwithstanding, the 2nd Amendment asserts that a right exists. But it fails to define what the extent of that right is. Once could presume that the right alleged includes at least the right to bear a single shot, muzzle loaded gun. But it seems doubtful that the writers of the amendment included more advanced arms which had never entered their imaginations. Yet "arms" in that amendment could be reasonably construed to include whatever arms are needed by a militia.

--Enoch

Making Sense

Your column, "Making Sense of the Virginia Tech Massacre," in Sunday's The Daily Progress, made sense to my wife and I. We both remember the communities in which we grew up during the 1950s and think that the children of today are missing quite a lot. We also feel that "it certainly couldn't hurt to start being kinder to one another and reach out to our neighbors." We had hoped that those who weren't so kind to Hillary and her similar thoughts expressed in, "It Takes a Village" had more of the spirit that you expressed in your column.

--Kit

Friday, April 20, 2007

Barbarism

Subject: Making Sense of the Virginia Tech Massacre

Dear Mr. Whitehead,

As a fellow Christian, I am really disappointed that you did not suggest that America refocus its allegiance to Jesus. Even the humanists/atheists can be kind to others, but without Jesus this nation will continue to degenerate to barbarism--no matter how kind we try to be.

Sincerely,

Herb Grossman

No Support

Subject: Crucifying Don Imus and Free Speech

First:

I have heard shock jocks and disagree that they have a right to be on the air saying foul things. He would not have been allowed on the air 50 years ago when we had the same First Amendment. So your argument from Voltaire is empty. Speech content has always been determined by a majority. The majority in this nation is changing and so will the right to say things. Speech use to be tempered by a Christian moral sensibility, not any more.

Second:

I do not listen to shock jocks for the very reason stated by JW. I am delighted that something finally got the attention of the public. My only regret is that there was not uproar for his other crude, immoral, evil joking much sooner. I am surprised that you would not want to see all shock jock vulgarity removed from public airways. It saddens me that the public has regressed to accept the likes of Imus.

Third:

Apology under duress is no apology. His apology is meaningless in my opinion. This does not negate the fact that there is always a need for racial discussions concerning human equality and respect. I also admire the women for their graciousness toward Imus.

Fourth:

You confuse the right of people to say what they want with how they say it. Public airways are public, not private. People speak crudely all the time and rarely are restricted but people accept restrictions under many circumstances as legitimate. I believe that restrictions on the words used over the airways should be enforced. And Imus should have been severely fined long ago.

Fifth and final point:

The removal of Imus came when his advertisers pulled their commercial support. NO commercials NO show. The network had to terminate him despite their planned discipline. This is the free expression of capitalistic investing, and we both know that money drives everything. If only the public outcry would be raised up against other evils and injustices made by moneymaking enterprises. Freedom of speech was exercised by Imus and he is not in jail. Freedom of speech from customers of companies supporting his program was exercised and the companies responded by exercising their freedom to support or not support him. Verdict was, "NO" support. Good!

Sincerely yours,

Kurt

Meat Grinder

This war in Iraq started with the lies of Bush, Rice and Cheyney. It continues with more lies and deceit. Cheyney's Halaburton company is making big profits and even defrauds the government in billing for goods and services. The fundamentalistic Sunnis and Shiites have been killing each other for centuries what makes anyone think that they can stop them? We are in the middle of this civil war or whatever you want to call it. A rose or a duck by any other name is still a rose or a duck. The Sunnis and
Shelties were killing each other before we got there and will still be doing so long after we leave. The sooner we get out of line of fire the better.

--P.J.

Senseless Tragedy at VT

Subject: Making Sense of the Virginia Tech Massacre

Have we so quickly ruled out demonic influence? Are we so quick to be PC? Could it possibly be that the the stories about the Geresene demoniac, and the other demons Jesus cast out, are true? Could it possibly be that demons are the reason for the behavior of pathological killers? Mental illness is real and not always caused by demonic influence, but when the powers of darkness take advantage of the depressed or mentally ill, we have inevitably tragic consequences. As the end of time as we know it draws ever closer, Satan grows ever more desperate. I fear . . . no, I know, that we will only see escalation of such violence in the coming months and years. Unspeakable horror lies at our very doorstep, and we are afraid to acknowledge it or to speak it's name, lest we be scoffed at, or labeled "fanatic," or worse, mentally ill ourselves.

It's a sad day, when we are afraid to speak the name of Jesus in public, and an even sadder day when we cannot even name our archenemy lest we be called mad.

--Tracey

Day Care

Subject: Making Sense of the Virginia Tech Massacre

I wonder if the mass murderer, Mr. Cho, spent time as a child in day care, like most of the school shooters?

--Donald

Violence

Subject: Making Sense of the Virginia Tech Massacre

But, John, I know you can't cover everything with one little article...what of our history which elevates genocide, war and destruction of other societies speaks louder to our developing citizens? These minor tragedies are surely horrible but the honoring of wars and warriors gives our young an awful view of life.

--Nels

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Imus etc.

Subject: Crucifying Don Imus and Free Speech

Mr. Whitehead,

Many of us disagree with the freedom of speech argument applied to Imus and other rotten mouthed entertainers. So far I am unconvinced that the framers of our constitution meant for the free speech clause to be used to demean and embarrass other innocent people. Don't you think it is a stretch of our rights to state that we can say anything we want about anyone we want and then hide behind the constitution to avoid retribution? Imus got what he deserved and it was long overdue.

--Thomas