Nancy Neylon’s Nov. 17 op-ed column, “Senator Portman, reconsider your stance on gun checks,” is disturbing. She states that by voting against background checks for gun purchases, Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio) is putting women at risk of domestic violence.
Does she propose background checks for people who purchase cars? Maybe for those who purchase kitchen knives, or baseball bats for their kids, or bricks for home improvement? Some people have been killed with these and many other items.
RODGER KOKENSPARGER
Kinder Road
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On parenting, penguins get it
After watching the Discovery Channel’s special Penguins: Waddle All the Way, I must say that they have it figured out. Female penguins lay eggs and the fathers sit on the nest until the mothers return. The males and females take turns on the eggs until they hatch.
Today, many fathers are not part of their children’s lives, starting at conception. Imagine what would happen if fathers and mothers together took an active role in the development of their children.
Being a parent is wonderful and can bring long-term joy. Children also do better when their parents have a supportive relationship.
We could learn from penguins.
ANN RIDDLE
Sylvania
Mentoring a must for the fatherless
The greatest challenge facing our society is how to reduce the devastating effect on children who come from fatherless homes.
I am a retired educator who has enjoyed mentoring children and passing along lessons I’ve learned from growing up in the Great Depression. Three factors promote upward mobility: having a strong faith in God, developing and practicing blue-collar values and character, and identifying role models.
Our society cannot afford the loss of a large portion of our young people. We need a massive community mentoring effort to teach youths how to succeed.
BOB CARSON
Sylvania
Obama-Lincoln column spot-on
For years, I’ve quickly perused Marilou Johanek’s op-ed columns for something more substantial than the usual liberal drivel. In her Nov. 23 column, “Obama should look to Lincoln for a lesson in leadership,” she finally has her guns aimed in the right direction.
I hope that this was more than just a philosophical glitch.
ROBERT HAASE
305th Street