‘Young Guns’ misses target

‘Young Guns’ misses target

There is something miss- ing from The Vindicator’s Dec. 31 “Guns and the Young” story on street violence in Youngstown. The premise seems to be that “the young plus guns equals violent crime.” This is an unfair judgment upon a large group of Americans. It is an explanation which is incomplete, to say the least.

As a veteran, and as one involved in hunting, competitive shooting, and other shooting activities, I have known thousands of younger Americans who handle firearms safely and responsibly. They far outnumber the ones we keep reading about in the paper.

The difference is that this larger group has absorbed from parents and other mentors the lesson of respecting the rights of others. Within this larger framework of principles, they also have relatives and other mentors who have taught them the safe and responsible use of firearms. On the other hand, we see the results when principle is lacking or unheeded.

Patrick J. Lally, Youngstown

Musings on the ‘Occupy’ movement

Occupy Wall Street start- ed with a purpose, and it brought many strong points to the attention of Americans. As the number of protesters grew, the number of arrests soared due to out of control protesters who committed unacceptable acts.

Many protesters have made it about their personal desires, such as forgiving student loans and attempting to involve such organizations as labor unions, which would mean becoming a socialist movement.

Although the American protesters are denouncing capitalism and placing blame with the fat cats of the corporate world, they also provide them their financial freedoms and wealth by using their companies in daily life. Verizon, AT&T, Coors, Ford, Vizio, Taco Bell, and Stouffers are prime examples of corporate America and in our households daily.

The Occupiers are asking for lower taxes and less government, which was also the agenda for the Tea Party. If this movement could stay focused, it could have the potential to transform into a political force comparable to the Tea Party.

The Occupiers accomplished one thing of note. They brought together people from many different aspects of life. Students drowning in debt, workers without health care, retirees denied pensions, and the unemployed from all political parties have found common ground and reminded us of a lesson from the past. The people are really the sleeping giant.

Tammy Orr, Warren