The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 2 of 15)

As a God fearing Catholic, and not a particularly good one at that, I do understand that murder/suicide is the one unforgivable sin on the books. The act of suicide is not escape, but rather a deliberate leap into an eternity of pain and suffering that renders any disappointment or provocation of mortal life infinitesimally trivial in comparison. The certainty of such punishment puts the affairs of mortal life into perspective, thus allowing one to tolerate what might otherwise have been considered intolerable.

It is that perspective that was lost, if it ever existed, on the Virginia Tech killer and the Columbine killers.

p>America does not need any legislation to impress the above perspective. That is not the role of government. But it is the role of our moral "leaders," who have apparently abdicated their responsibilities, in pursuit of other not so holy grails, to their immense shame. br> -- Frank Natoli br> Newton, New Jersey /p>

Congratulations on reaching a new low in political opportunism and sucking up to the NRA.

In his commentary, "A Disarmed Campus," Tabin attempts to draw a connection between the tragedy that occurred yesterday at Virginia Tech and the common ban on concealed weapons on college campuses. Tabin actually laments that state legislation which would have allowed students with concealed handgun permits to carry guns on college campuses, died in subcommittee.

Tabin goes on to state that "thirty-two people are dead -- not including the shooter, who committed suicide -- and at least fifteen are injured. Mightn't a law-abiding armed student have stopped the spree in its tracks? We'll never know."

The suggestion that allowing students to carry licensed concealed weapons on campus could have prevented yesterday's tragedy is predictably ludicrous, if not downright irresponsible. Are you suggesting that students carrying guns should consider themselves deputized in the case of similar emergencies? Do you really think that allowing college students to carry concealed weapons at college sporting events and fraternity parties will actually decrease the number of on-campus shooting incidents?

p>You are all dangerous fools. br> -- Joe Flahtery br> Boise, Idaho

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