Letters, Nov. 29, 2012: Gun wait time; Slurs
Wait time on guns obstructs trade
Editor:
A recent letter said tax revenue is lost because of the current 72-hour wait time and the limit of one handgun per month.
Not only does this letter make a valid point, few people are aware of a state law passed around 1998. While exempting city laws already on the books, the Legislature decreed that other cities in this state cannot in the future pass an ordinance limiting purchases of handguns or imposing wait time conflicting with federal law.
It appears that Charleston is obstructing fair trade and limiting tax revenue.
Paul Murray
Charleston
Hurtful slurs used on both sides should stop
Editor:October saw the most explosive incident of what I consider to be a disturbing trend in recent political dialogues. The trend is using the "r" word or variants of it to attack rival political ideologies and people who espouse them. The incident was a tweet by Ann Coulter and her two follow up tweets.
I want to be clear that this use of the slur is not contained to the right wing. People on the left have used it as well. Louis C.K. has used it to say that Sarah Palin produces "retards." Her son has Down Syndrome. The Americans against the Tea Party Facebook page refers to people of the Tea Party as teatards. Rahm Emmanuel used the slur in a White House meeting. Rush Limbaugh got in trouble for using the slur in a joke. Both sides are at fault.
I believe insult comedy has helped to desensitize people about others' feelings. There is a time and place for such comedy, especially if the target is in on the gag, as in roasts. We remember Danny Devito's character in taxi and Rhea Perlman's character in Cheers. Their outrageous comments were funny because they were outrageous and most people did not act that way. The viewers knew it was make believe. Stand up comedians have been pushing the boundaries of it for years. Bill Maher said on "The View" that "you do not know where the boundary is until you have crossed it". Well, it has been crossed. As a matter of fact, we as a society are well into that territory. Actors, comedians, political pundits and many others are now in fact bullies.
Is there any hope? I read an open letter to Ann Coulter by John Franklin Stephens, a 30-year-old man who has Down Syndrome. He is a Special Olympian.
Nothing I have ever written is as eloquent as this man's letter. He does not lash out, insult, or degrade Ms. Coulter. He explained why what she said was hurtful. Mr. Stephens stated that putting a label on someone that equates them to those like him is a "badge of honor". Finally, he offered her the opportunity to take part in a Special Olympics event. He signed the letter "A friend you haven't met yet".
Often bullies are the victims of bullying themselves. Mr. Stephens hints that he has been the victim of bullying in his letter. However, he chose to take the high road and offer forgiveness and friendship. If more people were like John Franklin Stephens, the world would be a better place. He is right. Being compared to him should be considered a badge of honor.
Steven Slack
Hurricane
Wait time on guns obstructs trade
Editor:
A recent letter said tax revenue is lost because of the current 72-hour wait time and the limit of one handgun per month.
Not only does this letter make a valid point, few people are aware of a state law passed around 1998. While exempting city laws already on the books, the Legislature decreed that other cities in this state cannot in the future pass an ordinance limiting purchases of handguns or imposing wait time conflicting with federal law.
It appears that Charleston is obstructing fair trade and limiting tax revenue.
Paul Murray
Charleston
Hurtful slurs used on both sides should stop
Editor:October saw the most explosive incident of what I consider to be a disturbing trend in recent political dialogues. The trend is using the "r" word or variants of it to attack rival political ideologies and people who espouse them. The incident was a tweet by Ann Coulter and her two follow up tweets.
I want to be clear that this use of the slur is not contained to the right wing. People on the left have used it as well. Louis C.K. has used it to say that Sarah Palin produces "retards." Her son has Down Syndrome. The Americans against the Tea Party Facebook page refers to people of the Tea Party as teatards. Rahm Emmanuel used the slur in a White House meeting. Rush Limbaugh got in trouble for using the slur in a joke. Both sides are at fault.
I believe insult comedy has helped to desensitize people about others' feelings. There is a time and place for such comedy, especially if the target is in on the gag, as in roasts. We remember Danny Devito's character in taxi and Rhea Perlman's character in Cheers. Their outrageous comments were funny because they were outrageous and most people did not act that way. The viewers knew it was make believe. Stand up comedians have been pushing the boundaries of it for years. Bill Maher said on "The View" that "you do not know where the boundary is until you have crossed it". Well, it has been crossed. As a matter of fact, we as a society are well into that territory. Actors, comedians, political pundits and many others are now in fact bullies.
Is there any hope? I read an open letter to Ann Coulter by John Franklin Stephens, a 30-year-old man who has Down Syndrome. He is a Special Olympian.
Nothing I have ever written is as eloquent as this man's letter. He does not lash out, insult, or degrade Ms. Coulter. He explained why what she said was hurtful. Mr. Stephens stated that putting a label on someone that equates them to those like him is a "badge of honor". Finally, he offered her the opportunity to take part in a Special Olympics event. He signed the letter "A friend you haven't met yet".
Often bullies are the victims of bullying themselves. Mr. Stephens hints that he has been the victim of bullying in his letter. However, he chose to take the high road and offer forgiveness and friendship. If more people were like John Franklin Stephens, the world would be a better place. He is right. Being compared to him should be considered a badge of honor.
Steven Slack
Hurricane
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