Letters: A brand new sport
December 26, 2012 10:30PM
Updated: January 28, 2013 6:25AM
The state of Illinois is headed for the “Bankruptcy Bowl.”
Raymond F. Stoiber
Joliet
Guns will protect our kids
Not long ago there was debate over whether a local school district would permit a local police department to place a patrol rifle and other equipment in a locked safe in the school resource officer’s office at school. This was intended to increase the SRO’s ability to respond to an active shooter in the school. The idea was summarily dismissed by the parents and school board.
In the wake of Sandy Hook Elementary, maybe it’s time to start listening to our police departments. Unlike Sandy Hook, which did not have an SRO, many of our schools do. It’s time to put the proper tools in the hands of professionals and let them do their jobs — protect our kids.
W. Ray Simpson
Joliet
Some acts unforgivable
Christopher Vaughn’s failure to express remorse at his sentencing, understandably, left his in-laws feeling cheated, angry and frustrated. It was a final twist of the knife.
Actually, they should take solace, because in the long run, his silence was far less insulting; it’s the closest thing to an admission of guilt that will ever come from the monster.
Why apologize? He wouldn’t have meant it, anyway. I’m shocked the coward didn’t exploit his opportunity to speak, and declare himself the victim. At least his in-laws were spared being flipped that bird.
Though pitifully inadequate, some measure of satisfaction can be derived from those unintended concessions. I also believe that victim impact statements only allow guilty parties to gloat over the suffering they’ve caused.
Vaughn’s in-laws wouldn’t be human if they didn’t hate the ghoul. I don’t know him and I hate him.
Yeah, I’ve heard the drill, “Hate only destroys the hater. It’s Christian to forgive.” Baloney! If it’s not Christian to commit murder, what’s so divine about forgiving it? God alone has that power. Nobody else should be obligated or expected to forgive Vaughn. If vengeance belongs only to the Lord, does that mean man should set Vaughn free?
No disrespect intended, but living here in the real world, I find all these contradictions very confusing.
Another lame cliché that’s almost comical in a perverse sense is, “Well, Ol’ Vaughn is going to get what he deserves now, being locked up with all those scary people.” As if those people are scarier than Vaughn.
Bill Nixon
Joliet
