Letters to the editor for Feb. 18
We must defend the 2nd Amendment
My guns and ammo sit quietly in a gun safe. They have never harmed anyone. I hold 11 firearm instructor certifications. I teach safe gun handling and shooting proficiency on a daily basis to individuals, groups, and by published articles.
I teach Refuse to Be a Victim classes to battered women monthly in five local safe houses. I write gun safety articles for five online blogs and three national magazines. I have never been jailed or tried for any reason.
What have I done to warrant my right to keep a semi-automatic rifle banned? How are the thousands I train every year better served by my guns being taken away? Government is restricting my rights because of the actions of a murderous few.
It is not about type of weapon owned; it is not about school safety; and it is not even about race. ... It is, however, about government control and defending oneself from it.
The Second Amendment was written for such a time as this and, if necessary, I will become a felon to protect it. I hope the 350 million other legal gun owners join me in this resolve. We must stand up or be trampled under the boot of government oppression.
Steven Michael Rosenoff, Lacey
Mobility on the waves
Two decades ago, I had the good fortune to live in Gig Harbor with its exquisitely quaint cove.
One summer evening, I noticed excited activity around one of the boats moored at the dock. A burly guy, with a “Captain” hat, along with helpers, carried children from their wheelchairs to the boat’s interior seats. With safety protocols in place, the boat began its enchanting voyage around the perimeter of the cove accompanied by delightful squeals from the children.
Today, I read about a super yacht being built in Rotterdam — so big that the Dutch city’s historic bridge is slated to be dismantled so the vessel can traverse the seas. Jeff Bezos had plunked down $500 million for the yacht — chump change from a guy who earned this money on the backs of Amazon employees.
This is the point.
When I think about my North Star of decency, I do not think of Bezos with his increasingly tiresome displays of excessive wealth. Instead, I think of that unnamed hero in Gig Harbor embracing those kids with life vests and love so they could experience mobility on the waves.
Janet Meyer, Lacey
End vaccine mandates
The last two years have been horrible.
In 2020, schools and businesses were shut down to slow the devastation of our medical system. Then 2021 brought vaccinations and hope for a victory over COVID. A vaccination rate of 60 to 70 percent was achieved, before it stalled.
And then the Delta variant hit. Once again, COVID took a toll on our health, schools and economy. Vaccines reduce hospitalizations and deaths but boosters are recommended. Still, some people insist that their rights were being trampled by vaccine mandates.
Then came Omicron. Again, hospitals were filling up. Omicron was infecting everyone, regardless of vaccination status. Anti-vaxxers were tapping into the public frustration. The majority of Omicron cases are nasty, but not deadly. Herd immunity has spread beyond the vaccinated population and vaccinations are available for the elderly and concerned.
We should continue to support and encourage vaccination, although we will soon need an upgraded vaccine. Furthermore, we should end vaccine mandates because few additional infections will be prevented by forcing the unwilling to take the current vaccine. They will not achieve the same immunity as the vaccinated and boosted for several months. Meanwhile, Omicron and thus COVID cases are on a natural decline.
Lastly, we must consider the extremists, who have made opposition to vaccine mandates their issue and associated their right to choose snake oil over science with their brand of politics that aims to snuff out democracy and the liberties we cherish.
Dave Little, Olympia