LETTERS
To the Editor:

Four months ago I penned a Letter To The Editor concerning the shooting incident at Virginia Tech in which Cho Seung-Hui massacred 32 innocent people. I opined that the popular finger pointing at various patsies - human, systemic, or mechanical - completely missed the point, and that if the VA Governor's independent panel which was established to review the shootings did their job properly, they would conclude that the blame rests completely with Tech's governing board for banning legally owned and carried firearms on campus (essentially, a "victim disarmament policy"), meaning, nobody had a gun to shoot back at Cho once he began his methodical butchering. I went on to suggest that the VA Tech governing board needed to offer a public Mia Culpa, and embrace Pogo's assumption of responsibility: "We have meet the enemy, and he is us." Well, the governor's panel is scheduled to release its findings next week, Tech's own internal review was released this week, and if the Tech recommendations are a harbinger of the governor's panel's conclusions, VA Tech students will have little reason to feel much safer than they were before Cho's deadly rampage. Tech's 200-page report contained such limp-wristed suggestions as "centralizing the campus police and fire departments into one building … upgrading the cellular and phone systems on campus … increasing the number of case workers on campus … replacing many of the types of door handles (Cho chained the doors during his attack) … and instituting a system to alert students and staff members of emergencies by text messages to cellphones, e-mail accounts and online instant messages." The governor's office announced that his independent panel's 250- to 300-page report, due out next week, would be "comprehensive and detailed" and would offer at least 70 recommendations for changes. Unless one of those changes is to allow law-abiding citizens with government-issued CCWs (a permit to Carry a Concealed Weapon) to carry their handguns on college campuses (don't hold your breath), students, faculty; and staff will continue to be vulnerable to the people on campus who ignore the "gun free zone" signs: criminals and nut cases like Cho.

Cordially,

Chuck Esposito,

Suches, Ga.

To the Editor:

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I read the ad by the Republican Party in the last issue of this paper. The information in the ad was so misleading I guess the local party must be in a state of denial. Let me get this straight - the local party is blasting a tax cut? Since they called the Commissioner "financially irresponsible," I suppose they are going to disavow Senator Chambliss and Representative Deal for the six year spending spree they contributed to in Washington, DC (of which Union County got none I might add)? And I suppose they are going to disavow the Republican-controlled State government for vetoing property tax relief (the Commissioner will give us money back while the Republican state government will take over $100 from us)? And I suppose they will also disavow the Republican state government for cutting aid to schools and passing the financial burden to the county? It doesn't take much to figure out who is actually fiscally irresponsible. I think the Bible says something about casting stones.

Jim Fitzgerald

Blairsville

To the Editor:

The Republicans refer to "Taxes" as a dirty word; Democrats refer to "Taxes" as Investments. Investments in the future: the future of our children, the care of the elderly, the continued strength and growth of our community. The quality of our life today is a result of what we planned for yesterday; the quality of our life tomorrow depends on what we do today. The Republicans attack Lamar Paris for taxes but fail to give him credit for the bounty we have in this community. The Republicans here in Union County need to focus on what is important, not the old issues of a failed George Bush Presidency.

Frank Maloney

Blairsville

To the Editor:

Many of you are aware of our weekly Tuesday evening acoustic jams at the gazebo in Meeks Park. You also know it has been very hot around here lately, even under those trees alongside that lovely little creek.

Our sole Commissioner Lamar Paris attended a recent jam, and I told him how nice it would be to have some ceiling fans in the gazebo. In very short measure, Mr. Paris and Mr. Larry Garrett, Union County Recreation Director, purchased those fans and had them installed. When we pickers arrived at the park this past Tuesday evening, someone noticed them right away so we all could look up!

On behalf of all the pickers and grinners in this beautiful place, I want to give these officials and the park department employees my heartfelt thanks for their kindness and attention to the folks who use that wonderful park so often. That small gesture will go a very long way in keeping us playing that music in style and comfort.

Pat Rice Meeks Park Pickin'