Letters to the editor

Alcohol, it kills many more

I’ve been thinking! And it came to me how interesting it would be if, by checking the statistics, we could determine which would kill the most people, adults as well as children. Would it be cigarettes, guns, or alcohol?

I see many laws condemning the sale of cigarettes, and now many laws curbing the sale of guns. But I believe it can be proven neither of these kills the most people. The deadliest and most scary weapon is alcohol, used by Satan as he travels the byways, highways, night clubs, concerts, etc., all across America, taking the lives of so many young people and adults.

Alcohol is a big issue tearing families apart, yet nothing is being done to stop it. Could it be the taxes the government makes from the sale of alcohol? Or maybe the population of drinkers that wouldn’t think of giving up their freedom to have their mixed drinks, wine, beer, etc.

The truth is our universities, colleges, and even high schools are full of young people who are on the verge of becoming alcoholics. I fear there aren’t enough people across America who’ve given up their drinking habits, or never began in the first place, to have enough influence to put a stop to this destructive problem.

I remember when the sale of alcohol was forbidden on Sundays. Well? It really should start somewhere. Just food for thought.

My tip? Beware when you’re driving on I-81, or any other road, because most likely one of every 10 drivers you meet will either be on drugs, or has been drinking.

Cellphones? Won’t go there yet! Better ask Jesus to take the wheel.

Marie Franklin

Frederick County

John 3:16: Do you understand it?

Everyone has heard of the Bible verse “John 3:16.” But how many of us actually understand what it means, or why, in a legal sense, that it was necessary for God to give his son?

The answer is simple, and it appeals to our logical rather than emotional side. It’s also basic to understanding the Bible in general.

If we’re attending church, then our minister should have made the concept of the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ clear to us long ago. If he or she still hasn’t explained this to us from the Bible in clear and practical terms, then something is basically wrong.

It is interesting to note that while such an important matter as this may often be neglected by our churches, the collection plate never fails to make its rounds — and solicitations by mail continue.

Theodore Day

Capon Bridge, W.Va.

New burden placed on seniors

I guess Sen. Jill Vogel is becoming more and more like the Democrats when it comes to raising new taxes. Either she did not fully read, or does not care about, the transportation bill as the governor has submitted it. It will put a new burden on all seniors and disabled veterans by raising the car registration fee $15.

Those who depend on Social Security and disability payments from the Veterans Administration will be forced to cut back once again on necessities like food, gas, and utilities. The so-called cost-of-living which the federal government and the VA give each year does not come near to making up for this proposed increase on those who own cars.

Most parts of the state do not have bus service like the big cities like Richmond do. Cars are not a luxury, but a necessity for the vast majority of seniors and disabled veterans who need them to get to doctor’s appointments, food shopping, and trips to hospitals. And still Sen. Vogel wants to raise the registration fees.

I pay $48.50 now for my car registration. The $15 increase which she apparently approves of will mean I will be paying about $63 for the same registration. Put tolls on all major roads into and out of Virginia so all the out-of-state drivers will pay their fair share to use our roads. I only hope Del. Sherwood will vote “NO” on this unfair transportation proposal.

John McAniff

Winchester

NRA ‘absolutism’ is not traditional

For John Winn (Your Views, Feb. 2), and for the 18th-century men he quoted in his letter, firearms are not just allowed us, but are essential for citizenship. I disagree that they are essential in our time, but don’t dispute that they are allowed.

The point I was trying to make in my last letter is that the absolutism on guns modeled by the NRA is not, in fact, traditional in this country. Regulations have been instituted from the early days by people who thought firearms were essential to democracy at that time. The NRA would never tell us this, however.

Most people won’t be interested in academic or legalistic discussions of the Constitution. But it is evident that were it not for the importance of militias in our early history, arms would not be mentioned in the Constitution. This makes it even more untenable to use the Second Amendment to promote a no-regulation agenda. The Framers would have expected us to decide how far we want to go in that direction, in our own historical moment.

Bill Daniels

Clarke County

Faithful friend?

After a recent visit to Esther Boyd Animal Shelter, I had to write. There were several elderly dogs that had been given up by their owners. One in particular made me very sad. She was a sweet 10- to 12-year-old black lab named Twin that has cataracts and hip problems.

To the previous owners, I would like to say these dogs have been a member of your family all their lives. Is this the thanks they get? You made a lifelong commitment to them, and I can’t imagine that they have done anything to deserve this. You have abandoned them in their senior years and have left them wondering what has happened.

I truly believe that dogs have feelings. It would have been more merciful to have them euthanized than to just discard them like yesterday’s trash. The chances of an elderly dog being adopted are very slim. You have put the responsibility of euthanizing them on the taxpayers instead of covering that cost yourself. Veterinary bills are part of being a responsible dog-owner.

I hope that none of you went out and got a puppy. You don’t deserve the love and loyalty of a dog. You have not been a faithful friend.

Judy McMullen

Winchester