Consider Gun Restrictions
The United States has over five times more gun deaths per capita than any other civilized country. We have the highest per-capita rate of gun ownership of any country in the world. This might lead one to speculate that there may be a correlation between the number of guns and the number of gun deaths. Yet in the wake of every mass shooting, we hear calls for more gun ownership, “so that good guys with guns can defend ourselves against bad guys with guns.”
I am not convinced that a gunfight in a crowded nightclub, a darkened movie theater or a school would have led to better outcomes in recent mass shootings. Yes, some shootings could be prevented by increased access to mental health services and some could be prevented by better investigation and tracking of people who want to commit terrorist acts. Is it inconceivable that some types of weapons should not be in the hands of private citizens? That more thorough background checks and greater limitations as to who can purchase a gun could also reduce the number of gun deaths?
I own and use a couple of firearms. I never have thought that owning these weapons is one of the best things about being an American. Not even close. We could make this a better and safer country by enacting some sensible restrictions on gun ownership. Shame on us for not doing so.
Ron Eberhardt
Plainfield
Ask Before Blazing a Trail
As the executive director of the Upper Valley Trails Alliance (UVTA), I often hear of the need or desire to add trails to our robust regional recreational trail network; as an organization we strive to develop the skills and resources to meet those needs and desires.
With the lack of large intact federal or state lands close by, it needs to be mentioned that a majority of our trail resources are on municipal or private property and the community is given permission to recreate on those lands (thanks to generous people and strong state statutes in New Hampshire and Vermont that limit landowners liability). Increasingly, the staff at UVTA either hear about or see first-hand that trails are being laid out, blazed and built without the explicit consent of the landowner or trail managers, and there is a growing concern that these “rogue” trails will lead to trail closures and more “No Trespassing” signs moving forward. In fact, this has already happened in a number of places around the Upper Valley.
Instead of hurting efforts to expand the trails network, trail users and trail builders should consider doing the following: Before you go out and blaze a new trail, go and thank the landowner or trail manager and ask for permission to flag a new trail. Check out Trail Finder at uvtrails.org to locate sanctioned trails and their permitted uses in the Upper Valley. Contact the Upper Valley Trails Alliance at info@uvtrails.org if you have questions about a trail, its allowed uses or who the trail manager is. Put your energy and trail skills to work by volunteering to build and maintain trails. Email volunteer@uvtrails.org for more information. Finally, support organizations like UVTA and others in the region that promote and support trails and recreation. With your help we can sustainably expand the trail network for all users.
Russell Hirschler
Norwich
Dangerous Donald Trump
I urge all thinking voters to consider the horrific consequences if they vote for Donald Trump. I believe he is evil personified and a self-righteous, arrogant, loud-mouthed man who decided to run, likely for the fun of it, to see how far he could get. If he is indeed running so he can lead our nation, heaven help us all.
Sadly, a huge segment of the populace is blinded by his empty and meaningless rhetoric. I truly fear for our country if those who do not recognize evil when they see it elect him president in November. They do not realize that they would be unleashing evil as it has never been seen before, except in people such as Hitler, Mussolini or other dictators. Those of us who see him for what he is and recognize his potential to destroy our country will either have to live with such an unscrupulous, manipulative person at the helm — or leave the country!
I would suggest that Trump supporters give him the “thumbs down” that he deserves.
Lorraine Zigman
Perkinsville
Don’t Back a Bully
Jim Rubens’ endorsement of Donald Trump is another example of the abject cowardice of Republican politicians in confronting a bully. Orrin Hatch at least had the wit to claim he didn’t know what Trump said about Orlando. Most politicians lie, generally either to exonerate themselves, as Trump does regarding his failed casinos or his fraudulent school, or to enhance themselves, as Trump does about his net worth while not releasing his tax forms, but to varying degrees the motive for such lies is understandable.
Trump’s motive for his more dangerous lies is despicable. His repeated lie about seeing celebrants in New Jersey after 9/11, his repeated lie about Syrian immigrants being unscreened, his repeated lie about neighbors knowing the intent of the San Bernardino killers, are all false and yet Trump cynically repeats them to promote hate and fear. Such lies are the strategy of a dangerous bully grown to monstrous proportions enabled by those who, like Rubens, endorse him instead of confronting him.
John Galton
North Hartland
A-Bomb Kept Cold War Cold
In the ongoing exchange of opinions regarding the dropping of nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, one important consequence of these actions has not been cited. For over 40 years, Western Nations stood nose to nose with the Soviet Union in Berlin. The danger was enhanced by the building of The Berlin Wall separating West and East Berlin in 1961. Two years later, the Cuban Missile Crisis brought two adversaries close to a cataclysm.
The debate over the use of nuclear bombs on Japanese cities will go on, but we should not ignore the fact, however unintended, of the consequences of these actions. Without the demonstrated horror of nuclear weapons and mutually assured destruction (MAD), World War III would have been inevitable.
George Sutherland
Grantham