Letters to the editor: Issue of June 23, 2016

‘Dynamic Duo’ thanked

I would like to acknowledge Principal Rhiannon Sharp-Buhr and Assistant Principal Lisa Wilken, two fantastic women from Chaparral Elementary School. The two have have never asked for anything. Hence, they receive nothing.

There are challenges, as well as a lot of pressures, whether meeting with demanding parents or soothing/calming screaming, scared children attending school for the first time. In both situations “The Dynamic Duo” handled each situation with ease and poise, while defusing the situation with love and understanding.

We thank them, for their patience, guidance and enthusiastic encouragement toward our children. They are positive role models for our young girls. They’re shaping America’s future as well as helping with self-esteem. More importantly, they are teaching our children how not to be afraid to speak up and speak out. They stay constantly involved with each and every child. They encourage the children to set goals, and once these goals are achieved, this gives the children a tremendous sense of pride.

“The Dynamic Duo” are well respected and they have earned the trust of all the children.

Thank you also to all the wonderful teachers and the office staff.

Lydia Bracero

Poway

No simple solution

I strongly, but respectfully, disagree with Dick Lyles’ June 16 column, “Obama’s con job on gun control.”

First, there is no evidence that Obama wants to take away guns from law-abiding Americans, as Lyles has suggested.

Second, Lyles’ “solution” for this problem is to combat global terrorism by “implementing a viable macro-strategy.” That assumes that all the gun violence we have experienced is due to ISIS or other terrorist groups. That is also untrue.

This is a complicated problem that has, unfortunately, no simple solution. No, we will probably never completely solve the problem of dangerous people with guns or with bombs. But at least we can take some steps, starting with background checks and not allowing gun sales to persons on the no-fly list. Can we not start here?

Keira Dillon

Poway

Our enemies understand

I am not an international problem-solver like Dick Lyles. Still, I know enough to be skeptical of self-proclaimed “smart people,” such as Mr. Lyles, who claim to have “indisputable” evidence, who knowingly misrepresent the other side’s position and have been so wrong about so many other things.

Neither President Obama nor most other gun control advocates, are attempting, as Mr. Lyles cynically claims, “to ban guns in America.” The present dialogue concerns one of the greatest terrorist threats to this country - the threat from “lone wolves.” These are individuals who commit violent acts in support of some group or ideology, but do so alone, outside of any command structure and without material support from the group, be it ISIS as in the Orlando slaughter, white supremacists (Charleston) or anti-abortionists (Colorado Springs).

The president, and many others, including members of both parties and, as per a recent poll, about 60 percent of Americans (the “gullible,” according to Mr. Lyles) correctly believe that one way to diminish the number of such violent acts is to prevent known suspected terrorists from getting their hands on firearms.

The ready availability of guns, including semi-automatic weapons, does not make people into terrorists, but it does make it easier for them to become killers. Mr. Lyles may not understand this, but our enemies do. An al-Qaida spokesman made this very clear in a 2011 recruitment video when he said: “America is absolutely awash with easily obtainable firearms. So what are you waiting for?”

Charles R. McKirdy

Poway