Mailbag: Problem is access to guns
I couldn’t agree more with Rep. Schiff’s assessment of gun violence and the power of the NRA to dictate legislation (or the lack thereof) regarding guns. And, once again, California leads the way with the recent passage of several sensible gun control bills.
But it’s not just Californians who support sensible gun control legislation. A large majority of Americans, including gun owners and NRA members, agree that we need universal background checks and that people on the terror watch list should be prevented from purchasing guns legally.
We’ve heard many untruths from the NRA and their congressional lackeys about why we should not regulate guns, including “guns don’t kill people, people do” (they don’t mention that people kill thousands of people every year with guns!), and that mass shootings are carried out by terrorists (failing to mention that terrorists succeed because they could purchase high-powered automatic weapons and unlimited amounts of ammunition, and that many mass shootings are not committed by terrorists).
The biggest problem is the access to guns, including handguns (which are not used for hunting, and which kill more adults and children than instances in which they are used for protection) and, of course, (semi) automatic rifles. We can address this epidemic if the 90% of Americans who support sensible gun-control laws demand that their representatives buck the NRA and pass such legislation. If not, then they should be voted out of office.
As a behavioral scientist, I can tell you that when you combine human nature and guns, many people will die or be injured. But, you don’t need a behavioral scientist to tell you that; just read or watch the news every day. Since we can’t change human nature, we must change the culture of guns.
Henry D. Schlinger, Jr., Ph.D.
Glendale
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VHH diagnosis ‘excellent’
Soon after we moved from Lake Mary, Fla. with a stint in Arcadia, we settled in Glendale. Perhaps due to all the hassle and stress of moving, I developed severe gout. I could not either walk or drive. Our son took me to the nearest emergency room in the middle of the night, and I began to realize that I was in Verdugo Hills Hospital.
I was treated by Dr. Kelly Katzberg. The experience there was excellent. My wife and I have been in the award-winning Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, Md.; Massachusetts General in Boston, Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Md.; Bascom Palmer Institute of the University of Miami, Central Florida Regional Hospital and the Methodist Hospital in Arcadia. We don’t reach the conclusion easily.
Dr. William W Wu
Dr. Margaret C Wu
Glendale
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Coordination at Rockhaven
Rockhaven could be so much more than current leadership in the city envisions. The historic buildings cited by council members as good examples of adaptive reuse without public access, such as the Grand Central Air Terminal and the Glendale Masonic Temple, are not really relevant because they are privately owned. Rockhaven is owned by the citizens of Glendale.
The pending RFP doesn’t mandate a sale of the property but it is very unlikely that a developer would invest the money needed to make the grounds ADA compliant and rehabilitate the historic buildings without owning the property. The city should maintain ownership and gradually upgrade the facility, starting with the grounds and the facades of the buildings surrounding the central courtyard. That would allow use for garden weddings and other events to bring in some income. The Friends of Rockhaven have held a number of very successful teas there over the past couple of years, proving community interest even without rehabilitation of the gardens. A new ADA compliant restroom facility would facilitate such use and might avoid the need to make individual historic buildings fully ADA accessible.
Suitable long-term commercial tenants could be tapped for interior improvements to individual buildings and contribute rental income to the city. A city coordinated effort is more likely to be eligible for grants to restore some of the historic structures, including interiors, for adaptive reuse by nonprofits or government agencies. That would bring in more rental income. The total revenue stream would be ongoing while a sale is a one-time event.
I hope the ideas that come in as a result of the RFP are used by the city to craft their own plan for the property and fulfill the promises made when the city purchased the property.
Sharon Weisman
Glendale
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Pope visits Armenia
AirItalia flew from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport to Zvartnots International Airport, by Yerevan, Armenia on June 24, waving two flags: Vatican and Armenia. The Holy Pope made a historical visit to the “first Christian nation,” Armenia, as a “gesture of affection and gratitude,” Cardinal Sandri said.
The pope said, “I consider it a precious gift of God to be able to approach the holy altar from which the light of Christ shone forth in Armenia.”
His Holiness, who only bows before God and in prayer, bowed before the Armenian Memorial Complex Dzidzernagapert. During his ecumenical prayer for peace and reconciliation he urged the world to never forget the Armenian Genocide. “I wish to come to you as a servant of God and messenger of peace,” he said.
Peace follows its past. Reconciliation can minimally occur by atonement and asking for forgiveness.
Pope Francis released two white doves, signifying peace, toward Mount Ararat from Khor Virap Monastery bordering Wilsonian Armenia, which Mother Armenia is separated from and weeps.
Armenia gifted a miniature of Noah’s ark planted with Noah’s grapes to the Vatican. Pope Francis and Catholicos Karekin II poured water with vases, symbolizing mankind’s salvation and resurrection.
Peace comes with memory, such that of Noah’s ark. Wilsonian Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh must be reunited with Armenia, the land on which Noah’s ark landed to bring forth peace. Let us reconcile Mother Armenia’s heart with the diaspora.
Rachel Melikian
Glendale
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Wrong meter on wrong day
On Monday, June 27, on Honolulu Avenue in Montrose, I parked in a diagonal head-in space on the south side of the street. Exiting from the driver’s side of my car, I stood looking at the meters and deposited a quarter for 15 minutes in the left-hand meter. Both were expired at the time.
When I returned to the car, with 7 minutes still left on the meter, I was astonished to find a ticket! My business had been across the street. When crossing back to the car, the silver parking jeep passed, and then I proceeded.
For a ticket to have been written, and the meter clerk to return to the jeep, probably took about the same time as my quick errand. Thus, it’s likely the clerk saw me insert the quarter into the wrong meter and seized the opportunity to catch his/her mark! A waitress leaving work from the restaurant observed my angst and said, “It happens all the time!” By “it” she meant that many people make the mistake of paying the wrong meter. And getting fined.
I invite the city to review revenue gained from these confusingly placed meters. Forgiving our spatial challenges of left and right is not, I realize, a reasonable request — except if the meter clerk actually observed a citizen paying the wrong meter!
I’ve been back on the street twice since then, and looked carefully at how the spaces align to where the meters are. Spatially, I can’t think of a way to make it better. But, it might help measurably to number the spaces and the meters that match.
I ask that the city consider using my fine for paint to make an experimental block and see if folks make better choices to pay the meters. It’s a little bit easier when most of the slots are filled with other cars. When long stretches are open, the waitress suggested counting by twos from the end of the lane to be absolutely sure which meter to pay.
Wow! Her thoughtful clarity confirms the necessity for vigilance just to ID the right meter. She’s been observing the process from inside the restaurant.
Ginny Atherton
Tujunga