Half-staff
Lately we fly flags at half-staff to mourn those killed in single or mass murders. At the present rate, we should just leave our flags at half-staff to signify all the hundreds of adults and children who have died needlessly and for the other hundreds who may very well die before year’s end. These are tragedies leaving behind shattered families and a nation at risk.We offer prayers to the families in hopes they may find some comfort in the outpouring of love and concern. We do not know what else to do for these families.
May I suggest we start praying that Congress will realize people with guns can kill many, many people. Disgruntled, disturbed, evil, heartless people could not leave behind the number of dead bodies were they armed with bows and arrows, knives or slingshots. Laugh if you will, but truth is truth.
Congress has had years of chances to stem the flow of assault weapons, tighten background checks and look into the mental illness factors. Do something!
Sharon M. Haring, Virginia Beach
Heinous acts
The shooting of Charlie Kirk was a heinous act, and violence in our society should never be condoned. However, compare the reaction of the GOP and administration to the shooting of this man and the reaction to school shootings. Where was their concern for the families or their outrage against gun violence when the children were killed? Who from the administration and Congress ever attended the children’s (and teachers’) funerals?
We send our children and grandchildren daily to schools that we once thought were safe. We never questioned whether we would be shot down while shopping or going to a public event. It is time for America to wake up and demand uniform laws regarding access to guns. We cannot leave it to the individual states.
We no longer have to defend ourselves against the King of England’s army, the basis of the Second Amendment. Yes, definitely more access to and provision for mental health services, but “no” to ignoring how easy it is to obtain firearms in our country.
Congress, show us that you care about your constituents and our country’s future.
Rosemarie S. Hughes, Virginia Beach
Schools
Re “School test scores extend long slide” (A8, Sept. 11): The paper reported the reading, writing and math scores for many of our school children are at a 20-year low based on the nation’s scorecard. This continues the trend from the pandemic. You remember when some teachers unions demanded schools stay closed.
The same union recently had its nation convention. Interestingly test scores were not on the agenda. Instead it was all about President Donald Trump, DEI and other liberal causes. Its leadership is all about pumping millions of dollars into the Democrats campaign fund. The union complains that more resources (money) needs to be pumped into education to get better results. The reality is the U.S. spends $15,633 per pupil annually. We rate fifth in the world for per-pupil spending behind Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria and Norway, yet the U.S. ranks 31st in results for education globally, by some accounts. It would appear to not be a money problem. It’s a focus problem. Yet our schools are tied up in gender identity, DEI and culture.
The only reason I pay for my granddaughter to attend private school is so I know she can do the basics. As it turns out she is an avid reader in both English and French. She entered sixth grade this year. Just goes to show what a kid can do when given a chance. Every kid deserves a chance.
David Murphy, Virginia Beach
