Letters: We must keep destructive weapons away from unstable people

Regarding the recent school shooting in Nashville: Here we go again. The familiar refrain "school shooting, first responders react quickly, when will it stop." They call them "assault weapons" for a reason. Have you ever heard a hunter "assault" a deer? An assault weapon is intended to assault someone or something. The last time I checked "assault" is a crime.

Why can’t/won’t our civic leaders accept the fact that assault weapons are weapons of mass destruction? Recently a military contractor was killed in a surprise attack in Syria. We immediately sent a military response in the form of several multi-million-dollar fighter planes. Why can’t we respond with at least some kind of similar reaction when our kids are gunned down?

As for mental health resources, the simple fact is we will never have enough resources to address all the individuals who might turn violent. All we can do is try to keep the most destructive weapons away from the most likely unstable candidates. Is this too much to ask our legislators to accomplish? It isn’t rocket science − it’s just common sense. Let’s ask the extreme right and the extreme left to meet in the middle just long enough to keep our children safe. Is that too much to ask?

Mike Hauer, Villa Hills

Let future babies have a chance at life

There has been so much attention recently to the abortion issue. The pro-abortionists trying to get their ballot measure in the November election, the anti-abortionists trying to get an August special election. It is so sad that it has come to this. Abortion should not even be a law. It is against nature that a child is killed in the mother's womb.  And yet, this outrage continues to be lawful in our country. 

Thank you, Right to Life people, who keep fighting this evil in our society. Abortion is not a health issue. It is a health issue for the baby whose life is at stake.  To those pro-abortion people, your mother decided to give you your life.  Now, let future babies have their chance at life. Let us pray that our country comes back to the culture of life, and not the culture of death.

Arlene Doerger, Cleves

Hospitals are vast sink holes of environmental damage

Recently, I had the unique opportunity of visiting with several nurses, respiratory staff and a few doctors of a local, fine hospital. The personal attention and care was wonderful. No complaints there. However, the huge amount of recyclable plastic and styrofoam waste was shocking. All of it to be thrown into the dumpster, into the landfill, into the soil and water, to live forever in our bodies and in the plants and animals we consume.

This goes without mentioning the waste in water and electricity used in machines, lighting and temperature control. Our hospitals are giant sinkholes of environmental damage. With no apologies to the business sector of this enormous industry, one solution obviously is to keep people out of hospitals. Primary prevention and great primary care systems are necessary for that. Maybe serious consideration of reducing the profit motive in medical care is necessary?

There’s mention that some hospital systems are developing sustainability plans. How many hospitals, and what are the target dates for this effort? What levels of government are supporting this effort? Is this problem being investigated? What are other developed countries doing? Decontamination processes are doable for such waste when treated separately. Electricity reduction is no mystery.  If we are to survive and thrive, The Iroquois Seventh Generation Principle advises we consider the consequences of our decisions and actions for the seventh generation into the future. How many centuries is that?

Joyce B. DeVoge, Amberely Village

Phonics-based instruction could address Ohio's literacy crisis

I was thrilled to learn that Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is taking strong steps to address our state’s literacy crisis. The need for this intervention is great.

Twenty years ago, I received training in a science-based course for reading teachers. It was a mind-opening experience. Contrary to what proponents of other popular reading programs claim, the National Reading Panel concluded in 2000 that phonics-based programs were the most effective way to teach reading, based on scientific evidence.

It was not until I understood what phonics-based instruction really includes and how it should be implemented that I became a believer. Phonics is not old fashioned or boring. It is current, effective and exciting. It is fun for children to learn the rules so that they don’t have to guess. Their reading and spelling improve. Teachers, students and parents see steady progress.

The National Reading Panel was formed in 1997 at the request of Congress to assess the effectiveness of different approaches used to teach reading. In spite of their recommendations, two decades later, the implementation of phonics is still widely ignored. Unfortunately, way too many of our children are still being left behind. Is this not unconscionable?

Rose Vredeveld, Clifton

Thoughts and prayers won't prevent more gun deaths

Thoughts and prayers. Really? This is all some of our legislators are able to offer as they continue to push for gun rights legislation and pass open-carry laws in some states. Thoughts and prayers are not going to prevent more deaths from guns. This time, children in a Nashville Christian school. More guns do not prevent death from guns. They should know this by now.

These legislators support Second Amendment rights. What about our right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, as stated in the Declaration of Independence? Second Amendment rights, which now apparently includes assault rifles, is resulting in the end of life for many children and the end of happiness for parents, family and friends of these children.

I am asking Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul and, yes, even Rep. Thomas Massie, to reverse course and support commonsense gun reform. Unless each child and each adult wear Kevlar vests and helmets everywhere they go, they/we cannot be protected from an individual who is either pure evil or emotionally disturbed who is able to get access to guns.

Janet Hackman, Highland Heights

Cincinnati Fire Department issues may be bigger than ex-chief

I read with a state of dissonance Saturday's (March 25) front page story regarding the firing of Cincinnati's fire chief. The complainants within the fire department were bringing charges of a hostile work environment for women. Sadly, the chief, a man committed to a life-long career of fire-fighting, is viewed as the only source of blame. However, it seems there is a distinct possibility the situation is bigger than one individual. Even the reporters, considering the situation, wrote Fire Chief Michael Washington, as a 14-year-old "would ride his bike to fire scenes just to watch the firemen work." Note the use of the gender-biased term "firemen" by your writing team. There were women admitted to the firefighting squads even back when the now-fired chief was 9 years old.

Perhaps, if we are to "attempt to pursue long-term sustainable culture change" as City Manager Sheryl Long is seeking, it will entail consistent usage of more equitable job descriptions across society, including news coverage. As a kindergarten teacher in the early 1980s, I had transitioned from firemen to firefighters, policemen to police officers, from stewardesses to flight attendants, etc., as related to my instruction of public servants, and workers in general, as our helpers and friends.

All that said, the other story on the front page did "get it right" by maintaining the more neutral term of "officers" in reporting the prospect of Ohio reducing the eligibility age for police. We, indeed, are making progress toward equality − equal opportunities in the pursuit of career paths, etc. − but it seems our language protocols are still being developed. Our word choices can inhibit the progress. Change does take time.

Of course, the root of the issue could be bigger than language usage within the Cincinnati Fire Department. Whether jobs that entail our physical safety and protection can have "gender-normed physical ability tests" − or reduced standards of any sort − is still a question to be asked.

Debby Smith, Blue Ash

Commonsense approach needed for green energy policy

No matter your political beliefs, most of us are in favor of sensible measures to improve the environment, even when the world's worst polluter (China) doesn't seem to want to follow suit. However, when the "green at all costs" agenda goes too far, we should push back.

For example, at a time when people are looking for financial relief, does it make sense for the Secretary of Energy to put forth a proposal that would set new environmental standards for air conditioners that would drive up the cost of these units dramatically? Not, when according to the Competitive Enterprise Institute, the new standards would create a level of efficiency "that doesn't make sense."

Let's slow down, apply a measure of common sense to our approach, and perhaps then even China might want to try a little "green" on for size.

Rob Burke, West Chester

Biden's veto keeps options open for investors

Regarding, "House GOP fails to override Biden veto of ESG investment ban," (March 25): Thank you, President Biden, for keeping investor options.

Thank you for your veto, which continues options to choose to invest in ESG companies. Those companies consider the environment, social or governance issues in their management. We retirees will be able to check with our financial advisors about this ESG category of investment.

Thank you, too, Enquirer staff, for Saturday's article highlighting some background on the proposed legislation.

Gail Miller, Price Hill

Back to Capitol Hill for the Peace Corps

On March 9, I had the opportunity to join 120 individuals from around the country as we traveled to Capitol Hill to come together for the Peace Corps. I want to thank the offices of U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman, U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup, Sen. Sherrod Brown and Sen. J.D. Vance for meeting with me to discuss key Peace Corps issues. With 1,200 volunteers and trainees returning to 51 countries, including 32 from Ohio, this is an important period to demonstrate our support. I’m asking our delegation to co-sponsor and pass the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act and its increased appropriation.

Michael Roman, Mason

Republican legislators hurry to silence voters' voices

What's the hurry to protect the Ohio Constitution now? Oh, I see − tens of thousands of voters disagree with the legislators' actions on reproductive rights and are getting ready to legally push back. So now, Republican legislators are planning to cut off their voices.

The proposed Ohio constitutional amendment for which dozens of groups are gathering signatures to put on the ballot in November will no doubt succeed, unless the legislature spends millions for a special election in August to change the rules. I might even agree with some reasons given in HJR1 to cut down on the number of amendments, if it had been done, for example, before the amendments that profited marijuana business interests. But the hypocrisy of their hurry to deny individual citizens the right to bodily autonomy and privacy just astounds me.

Suellyn Shupe, East Price Hill

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Letters: We must keep destructive weapons away from unstable people