Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low 48F. SSE winds at 10 to 15 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph..
Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low 48F. SSE winds at 10 to 15 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph.
Updated: February 22, 2026 @ 5:08 pm
Editor,
Some commentators on this site, and on other sites as well, are making jokes about the now very frequent mass killings, apparently with no regard for the feelings of those directly affected, including parents who have lost their children — in school of all places.
How disrespectful and insensitive, to parents, family, friends and classmates, to start a debate about what exactly is an “assault weapon,” and that anything from a screwdriver to a bottle can be used to kill someone! Who cares if you have lost a loved one? Have they no decency, no respect, no compassion or feelings for those affected? How about parents who have lost little children gunned down in a school they thought to be safe, then to see comments about all kinds of “tools” that can also be used to kill, as if that makes a mass killing tragedy more acceptable? How often do we see mass killings with a screwdriver?
I can’t imagine that such sick jokers have any children of their own, and probably just as well. But at least show some respect for people who do.
Jorg Aadahl
San Mateo
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(15) comments
Thanks Jorg. I too am concerned about the increasing trivialization of children get murdered in mass shootings at their schools. Or, for that matter, not just children, but anyone. We are getting more and more numb to it and it is now such regular background noise that the NRA messaging about rights to own military equipment can seem almost rational.
Thank you Westy! I have to agree that the 2nd Amendment should be honored, though, - as obviously intended, namely that the right to bear arms only means the militia people, and certainly not people in general! Too logical interpretation for many people? Seems like it. I explained it in an earlier LTE, but as expected, too hard stuff for those who get confused when faced with too much logic.
Westy, you say you’re concerned yet you don’t seem concerned that one of your idols, Chuck Schumer blocked a school safety bill proposed by Republicans and the families of the Parkland School shooting. You say “we are getting more and more numb to it” and that’s likely because Schumer, complicit Dems, and folks like you and Jorg only talk about it, but aren’t willing to do anything about it, essentially contributing to folks becoming numb to it – “it” being inaction. Happy Mushroom Day!
Obviously, Westy, we cannot expect TY and the like to understand that all those partial solutions tossed out from the other side are not only unworkable, but are keeping us from the only workable, lasting solution to the enormous gun problem in this country, namely, to keep mass killing weapons out of civilian hands, where they have no other purpose than to kill as many as possible, as quickly as possible. If it leaves some gun lovers deprived of their toys, so be it. A small price to pay if it saves innocent lives, whether they agree, or not. That is the only workable solution, whether the other side understands it, or is willing to accept it, or not.
Let us honor the 2nd Amendment by interpreting it correctly, and as initially intended, grammatically, logically, and socially!
Obviously, Westy, we cannot expect Jorg and the like to understand that politics shouldn’t be prioritized over children but when his idols are Schumer and complicit Dems, what else would you expect… attempts at rationalization for irrational positions. As long as these folks continue running their mouths and talking the talk, but not walking the walk, Americans are running to buy firearms at the rate of over a million per month, and as of last month, for the 44th month in a row. And apparently Jorg doesn’t realize his interpretation of the 2nd Amendment means as much as a raindrop falling in the ocean. Remember when the Army had their slogan “An Army of One”? Well, if Jorg wants to keep pushing his 2nd Amendment for the “militia” narrative, then owners of firearms are now “A Militia of One.” Problem solved. Win-win!
"But at least show some respect for people who do." This rich coming from an author who shows blatant disrespect in 99% of his comments. Dude is a hypocrite.
Jorg, your faux outrage is noted and immediately dismissed. After all, you don’t seem bothered, much less outraged, that one of your idols, Chuck Schumer blocked a school safety bill proposed by Republicans and the families of the Parkland School shooting. It sounds like these folks, and you, are okay with the graves of many people, including innocent little children, slaughtered due to Schumer and recalcitrant Dems' intransigence. I can’t imagine that such sick jokers care about the safety of children, including children of their own, but at least show some respect for people who do.
TY: Senator Schumer explained that this was just another useless attempt at sidetracking the real issue! I thought he explained it so thoroughly that everybody would understand it, but it doesn’t look like you did, since you keep harping on this non-issue, instead of focusing on the real problem, - which you don't seem to get.
Jorg - let's not kid ourselves. Any idea brought to the floor by Republicans is DOA as far as Schumer is concerned, no matter what it is. And, I never saw any allegation of a joke in any of the LTEs regarding gun ownership. Do you really understand the English language? Gun violence is a scourge in our society. Hordes of copy-cats are waiting in the wings. Without effective 'red flag' programs it will not stop.
Dirk: Without out better gun control, especially banning all kinds of assault weapons, it will not stop, no matter what. And, there was a lot of joking around about what exactly "assault" means, and that people can be killed with a number of common tools! That I call irresponsible joking about a very serious matter.
Dirk: Just to honor your language question, and for the record, since it is only my 3rd-4th language, English will probably need improvement for the rest of my life, - if I live that long. But, my understanding of the language is at least good enough for correct interpretation of the original meaning and intent of the 2nd Amendment, - as opposed to you-know-who. How is your understanding, especially after I explained it so clearly in my recent LTE, “Who are ‘the people’ in the 2nd Amendment?”
Jorg - I apologize for my thoughtless comment regarding your command of the English language. We both agree that gun violence is inexcusable. I am just amazed and frustrated that we, as a country, cannot come to grips with this plague.
Jorg: What else do you expect Schumer to say when he prioritizes politics over the safety of our kids? Sounds like you agree with Schumer instead of focusing on the real problem, - which you don’t seem to get. Keep on dancing, Jorg. Your tired and stale arguments hold no water, no matter how many times you regurgitate them. Happy National Pet Day – go hug your pet and if you don’t have one, hug someone else’s (but ask for permission first). BTW, I’m surprised you didn’t find some way to segue into a rant about our (yes, our) great President Trump.
In addition to the word "great" to describe the former president, may I suggest..."one term", "twice impeached" and "indicted" to your list.
GE52, all you have are a few nothing-burgers? Sounds like you’re in favor of giving a pass to Schumer and complicit Dems prioritizing politics over kids. I’m surprised you didn’t bring up your misleading CDC-reported gun violence is the “number one cause of death among children” although to reach this conclusion, the CDC counts 19 year-olds as “children.” Probably news to a lot of teenagers that they’re still children. BTW, you never answered my previous question to you, “Locally, what have schools done to increase the safety of our kids, other than drills?”
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