Winston-Salem Journal LTE's SA 12/24/11

Purposes of defense

In response to the Dec. 11 letter "Reconsider," I suspect the reason there are more concealed-weapon holders in dangerous neighborhoods is for purposes of defense, not offense.

I have a concealed-carry permit. In my class of roughly 40 people, the majority were women. Only one was younger than 30, part of a mother-daughter team. One lady was wheelchair-bound. Another lady used a walker.

There was a real-estate agent, a pharmacist and a lawyer who was concerned about reprisal. Most would be considered easy targets of opportunity by muggers, rapists, etc.

Testosterone cowboys are not going to spend two days training and take a written exam, a proficiency exam at a firing range and go through multiple criminal-background checks. They are just going to carry where they want without a permit. Concealed-carry holders brandish their weapons only if threatened with mortal injury or severe bodily harm. To do otherwise risks criminal charges and/or civil suits.

Use of a weapon is typically at a range of less than 12 feet. At a greater distance, the citizen should seek other options. I carry Blazer rounds, typical of what air marshals use. They disintegrate on impact, minimizing over-penetration of walls.

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MICHAEL MYERS

Advance

Attention

An unintended consequence of the decision by Lowe's to pull advertising from the TV show "All-American Muslim" is that it has only managed to focus attention on a little-known show that few people were aware of ("Lowe's taking heat for pulling commercials," Dec. 15). Now it has piqued curiosity about the show. Take that, Florida Family Association!

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JUDY DONAGHY

Winston-Salem

Banning distractions

I'm all for the concept of improving safety on the highways. However, I don't believe we can legislate highway safety by banning texting, cellphone usage or other forms of driver distraction. Perhaps someday our technology will provide vehicles that drive automatically, without need for human intervention. Until that day comes, I'm afraid we will always be sharing our roadways with those who divide their attention between actually driving and a variety of other activities not suitable for a driver.

Certain people just don't have the attention span to be safe drivers. Take away their phones and other electronic toys, and they will simply find other ways to be distracted — combing hair, applying makeup, eating, reading books or newspapers and other bad ideas. To some, even having a passenger is an excuse for not watching the road. They can't have a conversation without looking directly at each other rather than at the road ahead.

Some of the above examples may seem a bit extreme, but they point to the absolute futility of trying to legislate (and enforce) total safety. Driving an automobile is an inherently dangerous task that demands full attention. No matter how many rules are enacted, drivers will be no safer until we can cause each individual to recognize the potential dangers.

Those of us who have survived auto accidents have learned this the hard way; many of those who haven't do not realize the possible consequences of inattention when they drive.

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C.W. MILLER

Winston-Salem

A metaphorical miracle

Of course, Gov. Bev Perdue had to veto a repeal of the Racial Justice Act. The law is obviously flawed when it allows white killers to appeal their sentences. But Perdue must do what is in the DNA of all Democratic politicians; constantly pander to the black vote.

Hand it to the Democrats. They have achieved a metaphorical miracle. Decades ago, racism was seen as an obstacle, a mountain blacks had to surmount to attain equal status as citizens. Brave Americans such as the Tuskegee Airmen and other black servicemen came home to uncertain futures, while segregationist Democrats fought to keep them in their place.

Modern Democrats have magically transformed racism from obstacle to shield. All behaviors by blacks are forgiven by Democrats under the guise of the racism shield. Rep. Anthony Wiener had to resign from Congress, but not Rep. Charlie Rangel. Attorney General Eric Holder can let Mexican drug lords obtain weapons and not lose his job. Democrats lost their minds over waterboarding, yet President Barack Obama can drop smart bombs on suspected terrorists with impunity.

The shield is so effective that gullible blacks will still vote for Obama, even as black unemployment skyrockets. Alas, an idiom for idiots: Cut off your nose to spite your face.

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HARRY R. COOKE

Winston-Salem