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| Several "Letters" to the editor of the Kansas
Star by the same individual. Judge her by her own words. She
does need education, eh? . |
| 04/15/2001
Concealed guns The National Rifle Association considers your 1999 vote an invalid chad. It is fiercely pressuring legislators again to pass a concealed-carry handgun bill. Attempts are being made to resolve 1999 referendum criticism. But there's no way they can resolve that surprise is always the element of crime -- rendering handguns useless. Worse than useless, a concealed-carry law increases handgun accessibility to children. Guns will be under car seats or in unlocked glove compartments. More guns will be available during marital disputes. Again, the children suffer. And imagine a police officer asking for a vehicle registration, not knowing if the driver is getting it or a gun. Citizens already have the right to have displayed guns in vehicles and homes. The NRA cares not about your quality of life or your voting rights. Its business is to sell more guns. Contact your representatives immediately. LAURA HERDMAN [Mrs.
James Herdman] See Craig Hampton's response published by TheStar on 4/18/01 02/17/00 DWI in Missouri Sens. David Klarich and Ken Jacob opposed the DWI bill, SB36, resulting in its recent tabling. Their arguments were "... the law could punish some drivers who are not impaired" (2/7, B-3). Am I missing something? Drivers are not pulled over unless some violation creates suspicion, thereby incriminating themselves. Desperately needed highway funds are not the only loss if the General Assembly fails to pass this legislation. The lowering of blood alcohol limits from .10 to .08 would decrease accident deaths (and problems occurring from the resultant loss of relationships), property damage, as well as decreased insurance costs. Thankfully, the House of Representatives has given tentative approval to a similar bill (2/14, B-1). We are free to express our concern for this legislation's passage, to not only our representative but to those outside our districts. We are working for the common good, and their actions impact all of us. Laura J. Herdman 10/26/2000 Prop A "Vote `NO' to Proposition A" huge billboards scream. The lack of explanation of what the proposition is about is easily understandable. Opponents are spending $5 million to convince the public their concern is for small, local businesses that may have restricted or lose an advertising avenue. (It is interesting to note the two major billboard advertising firms are located in Los Angeles and Arizona and account for 60 percent of Missouri billboards.) Over 450 billboards are on the 50 mile stretch of U.S. 54 from Jefferson City to the Lake of the Ozarks; 13,500 billboards are along our major highways. Other states get along with the uniform tourist highway signs posted by the exits that tell of needed services. Why can't we? Our countryside is violated. Enough is enough. Vote yes to Proposition A. Laura Herdman 09/21/2000 Missouri highways Litterbugs are not unique to Jackson County; let's include most of Missouri. (9/12, "As I see it," "Litterbugs spoil Jackson County's beauty") However, a metro area is a prolific breeding ground for those who abuse their personal responsibility to clean up after themselves. (Monkey-see, monkey-do.) Where are the litter signs we used to have along the highways? They were some deterrent. I drove through South Carolina and Georgia last fall and noted beautiful highways, few billboards and signs stating a penalty of "up to $1,000 fine and/or prison" for littering. My astonishment at the cost changed when I realized I didn't intend to litter anyway. Returning to Missouri, I encountered shame at our ugly, countless billboards, washboard highways and trash unmercifully strewn along the roads. What can we do? Contact your state representatives for increased highway transportation funding/accountability. You can also contact Adopt-A-Highway at 1-888-ASK-MO-DOT. Be vocal. Educate who you can, for the Earth has no voice to cry out its pain. Laura Herdman |