Letters: Father's conviction in daughter's death shows Columbus doesn't need more gun laws
5-year-old's death shows Columbus doesn't need more gun laws
It is tragic when a child dies. It is even more tragic when that death was preventable. But perhaps the worst is when the child dies because of a parent’s negligence. When 5-year-old Serenity Johnson shot herself with her father’s unattended firearm, it was an accident, but it was also a crime — endangering children— a charge the city prosecutor dismissed after securing a guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter. (May 23, "Columbus father pleads guilty in death of 5-year-old who shot herself with unsecured gun")
From our court reporting:Columbus father pleads guilty in death of 5-year-old who shot herself with unsecured gun
Serenity’s death took place long before Columbus’s new gun laws went into effect. The prosecution of Serenity’s father makes one thing perfectly clear: Columbus does not need additional gun laws to prosecute individuals who recklessly store their firearms around children. Mr. Johnson’s plea agreement and upcoming sentencing are testament to that fact.
Rather than squander scarce resources defending a Columbus law which is clearly prohibited by state law, is demonstrably unnecessary, and in the case of the 30-round magazine ban for which the city has failed to offer any evidence that the unconstitutional rule would reduce crime, the city's resources would be better spent educating firearms owners about safe storage and children to avoid guns. Spending resources in this way would be a far more effective way to prevent future tragedies.
David C. Tryon, director of litigation, The Buckeye Institute
No matter skin color, wear sunscreen
Myth or fact: People with black or brown skin need to wear sunscreen to protect their skin. Fact!
The sun makes two types of ultraviolet rays, UVA and UVB, that damage the skin, cause cancer, and worsen skin aging — no matter what skin color. As a doctor who cares for children, I love talking to families about sunscreen, especially as school lets out, because it is enormously beneficial for protecting skin of all shades. Look for bottles of sunscreen that say SPF 30 and protection from UVA and UVB rays. Remember to protect your lips, too, with lip balm containing SPF 30. The sun is most intense from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Consider taking a break in the shade during these times and cover up with protective clothing as well. Summer is my favorite season of the year, and I never lose an opportunity to be outside. But before enjoying the sun, I make sure my skin is protected with sunscreen. Pick up a bottle of sunscreen today to protect yourself and your family.
Elizabeth Nourse, Columbus
Diversity, equity and inclusion principles important
At first, I thought that Suzanne Purdy’s May 27 letter "The left's ‘dream' is to eradicate our history", was a spoof, perhaps a collection of every stereotypical right-wing dog whistle just to be funny. Maybe it was. However, if it really was serious, I would like to make one point. Those three principles that she thinks have “led to chaos, terror, lawlessness and the destruction of our civilized society,” — she is referring to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion — are actually the principles that will enable her children and grandchildren and all of the young people we love to become happy, well-adjusted, contributing members of our community. They will learn to enjoy working productively with those outside their own circles, to appreciate other cultures and to treat all humans with the respect they deserve. It’s not healthy (or possible) to wall yourself in. To quote from the poem "Any Human to Another" by Countee Cullen: “Let no man be so proud and confident to think he is allowed a little tent pitched in a meadow of sun and shadow all his own.”
Carol Rafferty, Columbus
Crisis management of debt limit unnecessary
It would be refreshing if Congress would do their job and and work together to resolve the debt limit issue. Instead, those members of Congress who prefer to grandstand and block passage of a budget for spending they’ve already approved is irresponsible at best and disastrous at worst.
The House seems to prefer to hold the American people hostage in order to make a non-issue something that will undercut the financial stability of this country as well as the world markets. Is that really worth not coming to an agreement to prevent a disastrous situation for military personnel, government employees and Social Security beneficiaries? I think not.
Jan Hepburn, Reynoldsburg
Wanted: Younger president who spends less time on leisure
I am a seasoned citizen, and I understand Trump golfing all the time or Biden going to his beach house as much as possible — even though I prefer pickleball to those choices. However, I would like a younger president that spends their time directing the country, not on personal leisure activities. Let’s move forward in 2024.
Michael Oser, Columbus
Politicians ignorant of what ob/gyns face shouldn't legislate
It takes a person approximately 12 years of education to become an obstetrician/gynecologist. In the course of his/her practice, he/she will encounter some of these medical conditions: abruptio placenta, placenta previa, pre-eclampsia, incompetent cervix, ectopic pregnancy, amniotic embolism, sepsis, gestational diabetes or cardiomyopathy, fetal anacephaly, bleeding disorders and cancer during pregnancy.
Some of these conditions are life-threatening to the mother and the fetus. My question is: who do you want to treat your wife, daughter, sister, friend or significant other? A politician or a qualified physician. I don't care if you support abortion rights or are anti-abortion. One's individual health care is personal and should not be legislated by unqualified politicians who are ignorant of obstetrical complications.
Nancy Hite, Pleasantvillec
Ohioans must prove Republican legislators wrong on Aug. 8
Thomas Suddes is correct in his May 28 column "Ohio lawmakers are at war with Americans". He is, of course, talking about Ohio's Republican legislators. The situation is dire, but there are two things we can do to send a message to our legislators. Republicans believe that the only people who will show up for the Aug. 8 special election are those that are so anti-abortion that they will vote to give up the simple majority rule for constitutional amendments. We must prove them wrong by showing up and voting against changing the requirement for a majority vote for amendments to 60%. We must also think at least as long term as November 2024. That's when 17 seats in the Ohio Senate and all 99 seats in the House will be up for election. Even though we have been gerrymandered into mostly Republican House districts, we need to fire Republicans running for reelection. Those of us who still believe in democracy must not allow the authoritarians to win this war. If we do not show some courage, then our Republican lawmakers are correct: We deserve to continue to be disregarded.
Vic Presutti, Dayton
Carter's policies a model for reducing military KIA
On Memorial Day we honored those who died serving our nation. There were two articles recently published about those who have served our nation. The May 24 article "Jimmy Carter remains engaged" praised President Carter, whose presidential actions caused Latin American dictators to release their political enemies instead of torturing and shooting them. He notified these dictators that their foreign aid would be withheld if these prisoners' human rights were violated. He never sent U.S. troops into battle.
The May 28 article "These heroes ‘deserve to be remembered'" praised Army veteran, Crystal Sorenson, who honors the dead by repeating their names.
If more U.S. presidents followed Carter's policies, then Sorenson would have more veterans joining her in reading fewer names of service personnel killed in action.
Stanley D. Krider, Delaware