Wrong on guns

To the editor:

Referring to the “Toddler killed by hunting accident” and “Sullivan legislature to consider high-powered rifle ban” articles in the November 20 River Reporter: here is yet another negligent slice of “journalism.” No doubt written by an author clueless to the damage his indifference could cause to the average reader who also knows little about firearms and ammunition.

This mythical “high-powered rifle” is a term held in more contempt by me than the ever-dreaded “assault rifle,” a propaganda word coined by Hitler. The phrasing conjures up an image of a maniac with a bazooka, hell-bent on over-killing a fragile animal. Yet the only description given of “high-powered rifle” is .30 caliber. A .30-caliber, .308 diameter rifle has at the very least a dozen cartridges and is arguably the most common and popular caliber for deer hunting in North America. Why is it secondary that this negligent, unethical hunter broke at least three laws, as well as the rule of common sense?

Someone obviously filled the author in on baiting, the firing within 500 feet of a residence law, and reckless endangerment. But this nameless writer throws these facts in at the end of the article, as if they were not the main issue.

What constitutes a “regular” rifle? By your implied definition, bullet diameter. No mention of velocity or pounds of energy. So a ban on “high-powered rifles” actually means a ban on all rifles. Such a ban would force hunters to use only shotguns, buckshot or slugs.

Rifles have a useful, necessary and safe place in hunting: in the right places, and in the right hands. This man should be held accountable for his actions, and he will. But it should end there. Now this innocent child’s name will be besmirched by the anti-gun lobby. The actual issue is hunter education and personal responsibility. Journalists have the responsibility.

Your charge is to be impartial and report the facts. The person who penned this article has failed miserably at accomplishing this, and in doing so, cast a blow to the majority of ethical, responsible, level-headed hunters and citizens who comprise this “sportsman’s haven.”

John DeVoe

Glen Spey, NY

Some get raises and others get axed

To the editor:

I don’t think the word outraged even comes close to how I’m feeling regarding certain pay raises for Sullivan County employees. I guess I just don’t understand how you can justify letting some people go and giving other people raises in excess of $10,000.

Certainly, I have no trouble with the puny raise that the legislators are getting. And I would even support their getting more. But in the age of national, state and county deficits, a raise of $14K to the senior budget analyst is unwarranted and just plain wrong, especially when other people are losing their jobs. And it’s not just wrong, it’s shameful.

I have “years of experience and a Master’s Degree,” and yet I cannot find a decent job in this county.

I don’t care about “where they should have been” in the words of county manager David Fanslau. A salary of $73,000 for the chief information officer is a very nice salary. So why do they need to make $85,000? Please!!!

The increases, in some cases, are the entire salaries of other employees in this county. Governor Paterson is calling for deep cuts and fiscal restraint. Surely a raise of three to five percent would be the most prudent thing you can do.

If you have the money to give away (which I know you don’t), then give it to the food pantry or the Federation for the Homeless, or even use it to reduce taxes. What a concept!