May 3, 2007 4 min read

In the aftermath of the Virginia Tech tragedy, the news media dedicated a substantial amount of undeserving coverage of the manifesto from the gunman. His face of terror continues to be displayed on TV and in newspapers weeks later. Now the media has focused on reporting threats concerning copycat shootings. The threats are frequently making top stories on TV and front pages of newspapers. I believe it would be helpful if the news media would decrease the amount of undeserving coverage it’s giving to these cruel individuals.

Every threat needs to be taken seriously, and those responsible need to be prosecuted. However, there are many cruel people viewing the amount of coverage the threats are receiving, and who are simply making threats to gain publicity.

I was disturbed to see that a man in Florida who allegedly threatened to carry out a copycat shooting at Sea World made the newspaper here in Pennsylvania. This man would be higher than a kite, knowing he made news hundreds of miles away.

I understand if a threat is made locally, it needs to be published. However, I believe the less amount of the news coverage the threats are receiving will decrease the volume of them being made.

We all need more positive articles making headlines, like the April 21 edition of the Herald-Standard, titled “Refuse to Abuse.” Where dozens of local high school students held a rally in front of the Fayette County Courthouse, showing their support for sexual assault, and child abuse victims.

There have been many opinions on how to prevent future mass shootings.

However, when the only thought on the gunman’s mind is, “Don’t take me alive,” it makes the situation more difficult to be handled and prevented.

Everyone needs to learn how to forgive and how to love one another, and to live every day like you were dying.

Jason Seman

Smithfield

Tainted dog food story

I was feeding my 6-year-old bassett/beagle mix the canned food that I bought from the grocery store. When I found out about the pet food recall, I stopped feeding the food to her and took her to her veterinarian for a checkup.

He said she was fine; however, three and a half weeks later my husband was walking her at the park and she collapsed.

We took her to the vet; he said her liver is six times the normal size due to the food that I fed her. The vet put her on medication. She goes back next month to see if the medications are working

Christina Church

Carmichaels

Columnist wrong on gun control

Once again I had to wait to answer another liberal on gun ownership. I waited as opposed to the “jump on the wagon” mentality of Bonnie Erbe in her column of April 19.

Once again she is trying to use the grief and emotions of people to further her agenda, as opposed to really caring about the people who lost their lives.

Because Ms. Erbe is against the gun owners of this country, she couldn’t wait to blast that ownership and even threw in the NRA. In response I would like to point out the following:

1. The campus at Virginia Tech is a “no gun zone.” That means no guns allowed, even legally licensed ones.

2. If someone who had a legally licensed gun on campus, maybe they could have stopped this nut before he killed that many people.

3. England and Australia banned all guns. And what happened? The crime rate went up.

4. What has happened to the crime rate in states that have gun-carry permits? The crime rate has gone down.

I agree that gun legislation is necessary in some cases. Ms. Erbe states “we need restraints on lethal weapons.”

Please let me know, Ms. Erbe, when will you start the campaign to outlaw the biggest people-killer of all time, the automobile?

We let many more people who shouldn’t drive a vehicle own one and get a license without any background check. I will join you on that crusade.

As a liberal, you worry about the government taking away your constitutional rights. What about my right to bear arms?

And finally, isn’t it great to be in a country that allows you to have the free speech to call the American public brain dead because they don’t agree with your stand?

Your newspaper only allows citizens to put these ideas in print once a month. The press is allowed to continue to put in articles about candidates for office up to the election.

The public is banned from doing that 30 days before any election. Why?

Paul Blatt

Connellsville