John Carlson starts out correctly in the April 2 issue of the Reporter when he states that it makes no sense to allow guns in bars and airplanes. But then his claim quickly makes no sense.
His two arguments for allowing guns in national parks are hollow and nonsensical. First of all, if he is promoting “consistency,” then the Tongass National Forest would ban guns in order to conform to the policy in all of the other national lands. It would be interesting to know how many gun-totin’ cowboys have actually needed to use a gun in the Tongass to protect themselves from bears. My guess is, not many.
He says the Yellowstone National Park rules allow “anything except lethal force” in protecting yourself from a bear attack. In even a novice’s hands, guns are considered lethal, so why allow them in a park? When I was in Yellowstone, and also in Glacier National Park, last July, the rangers were promoting loud air-horns as bear deterrents.
And “reasonableness?” Unless Carlson can come up with a means for the already overworked rangers in the parks to determine, just by looking in the car window as people pass through the gates, if a citizen is “law-abiding,” then it is safer for everyone involved to assume that the only people who would be foolish enough to feel a need to carry a gun into said park has unreasonable intentions.
He is correct, though, that “not many people poach big game with pistols.” That is because pistols are best used at close range; like during a confrontation with someone over something like a campsite, or a parking space in a national park.
Remember, John: “Guns don’t kill people; people kill people.” But they do it a lot easier with a gun.
Ted Cox
Bellevue
Why no help from affluent Bellevue?
I am a Bellevue resident of almost 10 years, married, no kids yet, dog and cat, home owner, business owner, normal life really.
I am a member of a volunteer organization and every year we facilitate dozens of volunteer projects to assist our local community.
One project is to procure backpacks for five-year-olds who are excited to attend kindergarten in the fall for the first time. These kids are disadvantaged or are simply having a hard time at it. These backpacks also must contain all the essential products a five year old would need on their first day of school including an outfit to wear.
I pounded the pavement in Bellevue to a slew of local stores and my colleagues have approached many Seattle establishments. Letters have been mailed. Phone calls have been made.
We have not located a single entity willing to donate 50 little backpacks. We also have failed miserably at procuring products like crayons, paper, etc., much less full outfits!
I am disappointed in Bellevue specifically. I am disappointed that more stores do not find a way to provide donations without red tape. A good cause is a good cause. We should all be supporting each other.
I can tell you that I will think twice before shopping at some of these places again and they are big stores, little stores, mom and pop stores – the full gamut.
Bad form Bellevue! Shame on you! With all your influence, growth and money, your city should be setting the example!
Tammy Foss
Bellevue
Community helps make a success
On behalf of Assistance League of the Eastside, I would like to thank the community for the tremendous support that we have received for the events that our chapter held this year.
They include both our philanthropic programs: Operations School Bell, the Assault Survivor Kits program and our Assistance League Outreach plus fundraising events: Celebrations Holiday Home Tour and, most recently, our Spring Event Luncheon/Fashion Show, ‘Step Into Style’.
Without community grants, sponsors and individual donors, we would not have been able to achieve our mission statement which reads, “Assistance League of the Eastside is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that puts caring and commitment into action through community-based philanthropic programs.”
We are energized by your support as we continue to instill hope in the lives of school children and their families and the many survivors of assault and violence. Chapter members remain steadfast in their resolve to clothe every child in need and end the violence in our community. With your support we can all strive to do just that.
Marilyn Hulsman, President
Assistance League
of the Eastside
