Time for gun limitations
From 2001 to 2013, 6,867 U.S. troops died in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to icasualties.org. Julia Jones and Eve Bower reported in an Oct. 2 CNN article that in the same time period 3,380 citizens were killed by acts of domestic terrorism, of which 2,990 died on 9/11.
Likewise, for that same time period, Jones and Bower reported that 406,946 U.S. citizens died as a result of gun violence.
Is it safer to be a soldier in a war zone than to go to the theater, the mall, church or work? Whether the violence is precipitated by a disgruntled employee, a mental health issue, a terrorist group or a person in a domestic violence situation, the one common denominator to the deaths and injuries is firearms.
Isn’t it time to place some more limitations on the Second Amendment? Even the freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment has limitations placed on it.
It’s not necessary to take away everyone’s firearms. What we need to do is remove the most destructive ones, the semi-automatic firearms, from our society.
Taking that action would not totally stop gun violence. But if we did take that action, it would certainly reduce the severity of any violence that might occur. It’s a long-term solution that would take many years to complete but it would save many lives.
We can have a safer society and still have room for firearms. Why wouldn’t we do that?
Kenneth Horn
Hermon
An ice breaker for Paris
As the BDN reported Dec. 4, Sen. Angus King, as co-chair of the Senate’s Arctic Caucus, is at the forefront of preparing for plans to build icebreakers that will make a sea lane connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific. I would ask him, in light of climate talks in Paris, is this move to be on the cutting edge of “progress” such a good idea?
Yes, the polar ice is melting. Yes, we may see the day in the near future when trade routes joining the oceans will be a boon to the economy. But the projection for rising ocean levels is already in large part due to humans’ economic progress.
It does not take an advanced degree in hydraulics to see that breaking up the arctic ice is going to hasten the melting of icebergs; with more surfaces, crushed ice melts faster than solid ice.
Beyond the argument of how expensive ice breakers will be, before discussions of economic benefits, shouldn’t we, and the negotiators in Paris, ask if we ought to contribute to global warming more than we already have?
Steve Colhoun
Addison
Drug war needs a new strategy
Muhammad Ali used to say, “Your hands can’t hit what your eyes can’t see.” Though he used this phrase to describe his amazing agility and physical prowess, it rings true when used to summarize the war on drugs.
Some people believe that fighting the battle means making drug busts, arrests and long-term incarceration. Though this is one approach with measurable results, it is not the most assured way to deal with the opioid epidemic that is currently taking its toll on Maine families and communities.
So how do we “hit” what cannot be seen? How can one battle addiction? In 2013, licensed clinical professional counselors in Maine were no longer reimbursed by Medicare and MaineCare for their services. This put countless counselors out of work and left many clients without assistance.
The BDN reported there were 176 deaths from overdoses in 2013. In 2014, there were 208 overdose deaths, an 18 percent increase. And that trend is on the rise in 2015. Though correlation doesn’t prove causation, there is a correlation nonetheless.
It’s time for new soldiers to be placed on the battlefield with a new strategy. One that involves, time, effort, understanding and a willingness to rebuild the Maine people from the inside out.
Andrew McNally
Veazie