Mailbag: Death penalty is a moral question

Oct. 21, 2016 12:33 PM PT

Re: Responses to “For the first time in nearly 50 years, more Americans are against the death penalty,” In Theory, Oct. 18. I had thought that the LDS church believed in the Judeo-Christian Bible. In each of the first five books of the Bible, the Torah and the Law in Judaism, God specifically mandates the death penalty for premeditated murder. The Hebrew word for “kill” used in the King James version has been modified in every important update of that interpretation to refer to premeditated killing.

As for atheist Roberta Medford, I don’t get her opinion that the death penalty is an immoral abomination. These are strange terms from someone who doesn’t believe there is any ultimate accounting for one’s actions during life. I would like her to explain why it would be moral to let the two recent killers of three local policemen to go on living.

Mel Wolf
Burbank

Measure B doesn’t fly

Here are my six reasons for voting “no” on Measure B.

As I see it, we are giving up our rights for future expansion of gates, terminals and development to three airport commissioners appointed by the City Council, instead of residents voting for commissioners.

Excavation in that former Lockheed area which had toxic dumping will release new toxins into our air. We may have days where residents need to stay inside their homes and use masks for breathing outdoors.

Traffic congestion will be severely impacted throughout Burbank. The FEIR states that impact of traffic is “less than significant,” but that is based on a 2015 report of only passengers using the airport. Many thousands of large trucks carrying debris will be employed as well as multiple thousands of trucks hauling materials and supplies during the course of the construction.

The FEIR is more than 4,100 pages. It’s cross-referenced and hard to follow in terms of clarity. Many responses in Volume 6 are the same, quote: “This comment does not specifically address the analysis contained in the Draft EIR. Therefore the comments regarding the [fill in the blank] are acknowledged and will be forwarded to and considered by the Authority decision-makers.” This gives no resolution to the questions.

NextGen will bring many more planes using a satellite system and change flight patterns, bringing more noise, pollution and traffic to Burbank.

The FAA has not determined that the Burbank Airport is unsafe. They would have shut it down long ago if that was the case. A letter from the FAA Administrator dated Dec 19, 2002, states “we believe that operations in the present location can continue safely in the future as in the past.”

Frank Macchia
Burbank

Reading is its own reward

Regarding your front page picture and article, “R.L. Stevenson Elementary students slime their principal after successfully reaching reading goal,” which shows the principal of Stevenson Elementary School covered in green slime.

I taught in Burbank Unified School District for more than 37 years and was shocked to see this picture of a student pouring slime on the principal’s head. This “reward” was promised to the student body if they read for “more than 100,000 minutes over the span of two weeks.”

It’s commendable that the students accomplished this reading milestone. But to reward students with such a “funny,” degrading activity is sending the wrong message. Being disrespectful under any circumstances in unacceptable. Educators, can’t you come up with a simple reward, something positive that they can all enjoy? You should be emphasizing respect, courtesy and politeness. These are the qualities that earn recognition.

It is upsetting to me to see adults encouraging disrespectful behavior. I hope I never hear about this type of “reward” again in the BUSD. This article does not belong on the front page of your paper!

Marilyn Deal
Burbank

BCC’s holiday event slated

Burbank Coordinating Council is hosting its first annual holiday basket event and you are all invited. The “Spirit of Giving” luncheon on Friday, Nov. 4, will celebrate Honorable Emily Gabel-Luddy and the Burbank Fire Department. Emcee Marsha Ramos will welcome everyone at 11:30 a.m. to First Presbyterian Church, 521 E Olive Ave., to enjoy both lunch and holiday music, including carols with our honorees.

Sponsorships at $250, $500, and $1,000 offer the opportunity for listing online and in our program and include tickets to luncheon. Individual seats are only $50 each and all are available through Paypal on our website, www.burbankcoordinatingcouncil.org.

This is a chance to spend a delightful time, sing, eat, and help Burbank’s needy families too. All profits go directly into food and gifts for nearly 550 families. Contact us anytime by sending an email to ccholidaybaskets@aol.com.

Janet Diel
President
Burbank Coordinating Council

Disabilities council to meet

The Advisory Council on Disabilities is meeting on Thursday, Oct. 27, at 1 p.m. at the Community Service Building, 150 N. 3rd St., Burbank. All are invited.

Please come and share your observations and concerns about how we can work together to make Burbank more easily accessible for all abilities.

We have a list of some of the barriers to be reviewed and would like your input to add to and resolve these issues.

Please feel free to email me at doc@kidfind.org or call us at (818) 216-9377.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Dr. Albert Schloegel
President
Burbank Advisory Council on Disabilities