| 06/07/2008 |
| YOUR OPINION 06/07/2008 |
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Blinks at big picture Editor: I was very confused while reading Garrison Keillor’s May 30 column. What gives him the right to mock the patriotism of another individual? Is he a veteran who finds the display distasteful? Apparently, he is not. Those were not just “bikers,” those were people who advocate for the fair and ethical treatment of veterans. Those “bikers” were there to bring into the light the sacrifice of brave men and women in service to this country. Did he happen to see the 10,000 “bikers” in silent vigil Friday evening at the Vietnam Wall, crying with the Gold Star mothers, holding little glow sticks to pray for the fallen ones named, and the ones who have still not returned? Does he know the volunteer work of these “bikers” for veterans: playing bingo, hosting ice cream socials, the basic comfort and respect of an avid listener, Christmas parties and fundraising for the improvement of facilities? Does he know that many of those “bikers” are veterans of Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait and Operation Iraqi Freedom? Then to add to confusion, he criticizes the national memorial to the Greatest Generation. How dare he mock the World War II Memorial? What kind of magazines does he read that feature “bland insults” with fountains, reliefs and reflecting pools? How does reading the books he suggested show you care more about our country’s war dead? How does looking at the Smithsonian exhibits or the art in the National Gallery show patriotism? Does he know how many “bikers” visit those same buildings during their stay? Many of them do. Many of them come to pay respect to fellow soldiers or lost family members. Many more come out of gratitude for the freedom that the sacrifices made have guaranteed. What was this man looking at, besides that Cassatt painting? I think he missed the biggest picture of them all. LYNN HEITMEYER EXETER The real picture Editor: Let me make the connection for Garrison Keillor: The fat guys on Harleys belong to motorcycle clubs like Vietnam Vets, Nam Knights and Blue Knights (police officers) and numerous other veteran and law enforcement organizations. Many are family members of the brave soldiers who gave their lives so he could whine about having to wait 20 minutes to cross the street to go look at pictures. Those fat men on Harleys weren’t doing anything as pressing as looking at pictures of someone in a row boat, trying to figure out if the man rowing was the husband or just the hired help. No, they were just going to stare at a wall with names on it. The names of 58,195 soldiers — their comrades, fathers, brothers and sons. All gave their lives so Mr. Keillor could stroll across the street to look at pictures on the day that was set aside to honor their memory. They were deep in thought, staring at those names, contemplating what was going through the minds of those young soldiers. Were they terrified? Did they know they were going to die? Were they thinking about their mothers, wives or girlfriends back home who they would never see again? You don’t have to look at a painted canvas to see a vivid picture. There 58,195 pictures on that wall each with its own story. So if those fat guys with ponytails get drunk and fall off their bikes, maybe there is a reason for it. Maybe Mr. Keillor should go over and say thank you. If it weren’t for those fat men with ponytails and their brothers in arms, Mr. Keillor wouldn’t have the freedom that he has today. RON MILLER LAKE ARIEL Facts not camouflaged Editor: In his response to my comments concerning hunters who shoot without proper backstops and wear camouflage to intentionally conceal their presence, Brian Hollister (Your Opinion, May 23) takes my statements out of context. Contrary to what he asserts, I do have the facts correct regarding the legal use of camouflage and concealment by hunters. My information comes directly from the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site, where all related laws and regulations are posted and can easily be verified. The only prohibition on a hunter concealing his presence concerns doing so to avoid detection by a law enforcement agent. The use of camouflage, during virtually all seasons, is allowed under the current regulations. Even during the seasons where safety orange is mandated, it is not unusual or illegal to see “sportsmen” wearing full camouflage outfits with the mandated orange over them in the form of a vest and hat. I have repeatedly witnessed hunters removing or failing to wear the mandated orange clothing during seasons when it is to be worn at all times. There is no legitimate reason for the PGC to continue the allowance, let alone encourage the use of camouflage for any hunting season. Yet the agency continues to bow to the wishes of the hunters and recently revoked the regulation mandating an orange hat be worn by hunters in the spring gobbler season while moving from one position to another. Mr. Hollister says comments about accidental shooting incidents are rare. This may be true for hunting fatalities and injuries, but when all hunter-related shooting incidents, including near misses, as well as property damage to buildings and livestock are included, the figures spike. You cannot have hundreds of thousands of people shooting, essentially at random, and not have a hazardous situation. This is becoming more dangerous and common as people increasingly build homes in suburban and rural areas while hunters continue to encroach on these properties. DAVID KVERAGAS NEWTON TOWNSHIP
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