Letters on gun control, Benghazi, presidential debates, VA Center

NRA could provide right gun solution

Another day, another mass shooting. What difference will it make? Some politicians will condemn the shooting and make speeches. The president will state that we need stricter gun-control laws. The media will give big coverage. Then everything will be forgotten until the next shooting, when things will repeat.

The president cannot change the situation. Only Congress can change it, but its members will not or cannot change. Possessing guns and using them are in the culture of this country. Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., stated in the recent Democratic presidential debate that a majority of his constituents favor guns and he has to represent them. That is true.

The majority of the population of Roseburg, Ore., is opposed to stricter gun-control laws in spite of the massacre in the town. The opposition was so fierce that residents did not like the president denouncing gun violence and calling for stricter gun-control laws.

Not the president, not the Congress – it’s up to the National Rifle Association to help us. The NRA consists of people. They too may be feeling sorry for the lost lives. But they are defending their rights. Gun-rights advocates may not listen to the president, but they will listen to the NRA.

I know this will not be simple. But in history many complex problems and issues were settled by negotiations between enemies. I strongly think that with the right attitude and right approach, the NRA will provide the right solution.

Gun laws ineffective

In his well-intentioned zeal for tighter gun-control laws, the writer of “Other solutions” (Oct. 7 Letters to the Editor) distorted a few pertinent facts. He correctly stated that there are 33,000 firearm deaths each year, but he failed to mention that more than 63 percent of them are suicides. Also, according to the Guardian newspaper, 40 percent of all homicides are by means other than guns, such as stabbings.

The writer advocated stricter background checks on gun buyers. But Oregon, the site of the recent school massacre, already has rigid background checks, even requiring them when gun transfers are between members of the same family. And all the guns involved in the Oregon shooting were purchased legally.

Experience has shown that gun-control laws are consistently ignored by criminals, and that they only impose onerous and ineffective regulations on law-abiding citizens.

Bush responsible?

If Hillary Clinton is responsible for the tragedy of Benghazi because of inadequate security, isn’t George W. Bush responsible for Sept. 11?

Debate contrasts

I couldn't help but notice the contrast between the Republican and Democratic presidential debates. One consisted of personal attacks, insults and squabbling while the other was a civil discussion informing the public about their policies and ideas for moving the country forward and what their presidencies would look like. What a stark study in contrasts.

Don’t call VA

After receiving some forms from the Department of Veterans Affairs in Atlanta, I wanted to make sure I filled them out right. Who else to call other than the local VA? Wrong.

After a frustrating 15 to 20 minutes dealing with its phone system, I was finally able to talk to a real person. I explained my dilemma in needing help with the forms but was told that if the forms were from Atlanta the local VA would be unable to help me, as it was out of their hands. I guess the VA in Georgia is the Holy Grail of us old veterans.

After I asked the young lady her name, she hung up on me. Did I ask too forcefully?

If it is in the best interest of the VA to cut back on expenses, this old man with 10 years of active service will help. I have applied for a prescriptions card and will utilize my wife’s doctor until I find one of my own. Never again will I ask anything from the good people at any veterans hospital.

VA hospice caring

God must use His very finest to tend this side of heaven’s gate, or so it seemed to the family and friends of Jerry “Rap” Brown as we said our final goodbyes recently at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center hospice. The VA hospice staff was so very caring and supportive, not only of our loved one as he passed over, but of us also as we dealt with our loss. Everyone was wonderful, from the beginning with the coordination of vital details and physical care, through the several-week process of our loved one’s passing, all with understanding words and actions at just the right time in just the right measure. What a comfort.

With all the negative press we hear these days surrounding the VA, we just want everyone to know about the professional quality and genuine loving care our vets receive from the VA hospice in Wichita – truly a blessing. God bless everyone at the hospice. We heartily thank God for their abundant kindness to our loved one, and us.

This story was originally published October 23, 2015 at 7:04 PM with the headline "Letters on gun control, Benghazi, presidential debates, VA Center."