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Wednesday, March 7, 2012
LETTERS POLICY
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Letters must contain the writer’s name, address and zip, along with a daytime telephone number so we may contact you with clarification or confirmation. We will not print letters that contain incorrect
Cherokeean Herald
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information or allegations deemed libelous, nor will we publish form letters or copies intended for mass distribution to other publications. The shorter the letter, the better its chances for publication; we
Gun control more about control Sulphur, La.
reserve the right to edit letters for space. Deadline is 11 a.m. Friday. Send letters to: herald@mediactr.com, FAX to (903) 683-5104 or mail to P.O. Box 475, Rusk, Texas, 75785.
Postal Service must change with times
MIKE HANSON
opinion
thecherokeean.com
VICTOR BENAVIDES
In reality, guns have only two enemies; rust and politicians. Gun control is not actually about guns; it’s about control. Only a government that is afraid of its citizens would attempt to control them to the point of rendering them defenseless. The American Revolution would have never happened with gun control, and the Second Amendment was put in place in case the politicians ignored the others. What part of, “shall not be infringed” do people not understand? I’ve read many of Mr. Ray Cryer’s letters to the editor, and have considered him to be a bright, worldly gentleman. However, I feel compelled to remind him of the history and ramifications of attempts at gun control: In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929-1953, 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and executed. In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915-1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and executed.
In 1935, China established gun control. From 1948-1952, 20 million dissidents were rounded up and executed. In 1964, Guatemala established gun control. From 1964-1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and executed. In 1970, Uganda established gun control. From 1971-1979, 300,000 defenseless Ugandans were rounded up and executed. In 1956, Cambodia established gun control. From 19751977, one million educated, defenseless people were rounded up and executed. Because of gun control, the total number of defenseless people executed in the twentieth century totals roughly 56 million. Sadly, we live in an ever changing world. We, as well as Europe and other countries, are experiencing higher taxes, socialized medicine, a more “activist” judiciary and, in short, a more dangerous world in which the rights you have will be the rights you’re willing to fight for. The street riots happening
in London, Greece, and other countries can, and possibly will, occur here on our soil. Rocks and bottles have proven to be ineffective against a heavily-armed police state. Our Founding Fathers knew the importance of an armed citizenry. Thomas Jefferson wrote, “Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not.” John Adams wrote, “Those who trade liberty for security have neither.” George Washington wrote, “Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution. They are the American People’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence.” The only reason the Japanese did not invade the U.S. during WWII was because they knew we were an armed society. Otherwise, we could be speaking Japanese now. I, and many others like myself, do not intend to plow for anyone but ourselves, never sacrifice our liberties and protect the keystone of our independence. I suggest the others gather a cache of rocks and bottles. I’ll pray for you.
Dallas
America needs a financially stable Postal Service. Toward that end, the Postal Service is taking aggressive actions to preserve the long-term affordability of mail and to adapt to a changing marketplace and evolving mailing needs. Subject to adoption of a final rule changing its delivery service standards, the Postal Service is pursuing a significant consolidation of its national network of mail processing facilities that will reduce the number of facilities from 461 to fewer than 200 by the end of 2013. No consolidations will occur before May 15, 2012. Declining mail volumes and substantial fixed costs dictate that we take this bold action to preserve and protect the world’s leading Postal Service for our customers and our employees. From 1940 to 2006, the Postal Service oversaw a
continuous expansion of mail processing and retail facilities to meet growing demand for mail delivery. This expanded capacity was built to handle high mail volumes that peaked at 213 billion pieces of mail in 2006. However, since 2006, First-Class mail volume has rapidly declined as the economy recessed and the age of digital communications advanced. In 2011, 168 billion pieces of mail were delivered. By 2020, the Postal Service expects to deliver as few as 130 billion pieces. By any standard, this is a steep decline. In just the past quarter, the Postal Service lost $3.3 billion and is projecting further losses for the remainder of the year. No one is to blame. Times have changed. So must the Postal Service.
The American public and businesses are relying more on electronic communications. Bills are paid online. Friends and family interact through Facebook and Twitter. Nevertheless, the demise of the Postal Service is greatly exaggerated. The Postal Service sustains a $900 billion industry that employs over 8 million people. Every day, we deliver to more than 151 million locations. Even in a digital age, mail remains a powerful communications, marketing and delivery tool. The aggressive steps we are taking to realign our mail processing network will keep mail affordable, valuable and viable for generations to come. These are responsible steps any business would take.
Pipeline’s opponents also coordinated
TED WHEELER Bullard
As a print and online subscriber, I’ve followed your coverage of the pipeline’s challenges in Cherokee County, and specifically, in Reklaw. Now, I learn that there is a long-standing, well-financed, coordinated, and centrallymanaged “defeat the pipeline” organization: http://dailycaller.com/2012/02/20/campaign-
against-canadian-keystone-xl-pipelinedriven-by-us-foundation-millions/. Your last issue letter-writer on the subject, Suzanne Morris, ended with, “Here’s hoping this time...the process...will not be rigged.” I guess “rigged” is in the eye of the beholder.
Your Pharmacy of Choice
NEWS Free health screenings; card games at Ross Center Jordan Health Services will hold free health screenings at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 20, and every third Tuesday of the month at the Ross Activity Center, 555 Euclid St., Rusk.
Blood sugar and pressure tests will The Activity Center is located in be available. the Rusk Civic Center, 555 Euclid Additionally, the Ross Activity St., in Rusk. Center offers card games at noon on Tuesdays and domino games at noon on Thursdays. Both events are free and open to the public. Refreshments are provided. Check our rates 1st:
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Pictures for illustration purposes only.