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Not all gun owners to blame for one

Re: Fear breeds fear; guns breed death, Oct. 17 letter

The teenager's death was unfortunate, but could have been avoided. I also don't believe that all gun owners think they are more important than anyone else. Citizens who own handguns legally are people who have gone through extensive background checks and are deemed to be responsible law-abiding citizens. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to purchase a firearm legally.

The letter writer says the castle doctrine is ridiculous, but what about the people who have their home robbed late at night while they are sleeping? Do they have the right to defend themselves from criminals that mean them harm or death? The writer suggests Mr. Levine didn't need to have a gun because his profession didn't warrant it. Do criminals rob and kill only people of specific professions or is it more random?

The harmless little prank the teenager was doing is called trespass and harassment. Should that be overlooked because it was harmless in the writer's eyes? Had they been doing this to Mr. Levine more than once? The law is intended to work for everyone, not just when it's convenient.

The writer said gun owners are people of limited social skills and conscience and have limited practical intelligence. Maybe if the teenager had practiced these same skills, he wouldn't have decided to break the law, no matter how harmless others think it was.

I have been a responsible gun owner for years and have had my concealed weapons permit for three. I pray every day that I never have to use my gun to defend myself, family or friends.

Mr. Levine could have and should have exercised more thought before he made the terrible decision that took a nephew's life, but don't blame every responsible gun owner for his death.

Protect self first, then ask who is important second

Re: Fear breeds fear; guns breed death, Oct. 17 letter

The letter writer wanted to know what makes me think that I am more important than a potentially deadly threat toward me.

I will protect myself first, and then worry about who is more important.

Don't allow DCF to close its office in Dade City

Re: Closing DCF office

This should not stand! Write your representative and state senator and request this move be rescinded.

Dade City is the county seat; this is where an office belongs. The Department of Children and Families is attempting to shift the burden of support for computer access onto the local library and other, unnamed partners.

There should remain a central location in east Pasco so those who need help can get it! And that location is Dade City.

Those who serve diners should also wait on them

Letter writer Christina Perry is irate over the poor tipping to servers. I am irate over the term "server" instead of waiter or waitress.

Unfortunately, I have found that too many of these servers do just that: serve your food, not wait on you.

If you want a big tip, give good service by waiting on the customer. We appreciate that. I do thank the waitress who took care of our group at Niko's. She was a really good waitress.

Think about delivery person's costs in tipping

Editor: On tipping, my husband is 70 years old and gets out there and delivers pizzas five nights a week, and it is disgusting how little people think about tipping now, especially while the gas is so high.

I think it's horrible to be so stingy for them not to give him bigger tips. It's not good to deliver an order for $30 or $40 and they put it on a card and hand him a $2 tip. They have to realize gas is high-priced now and he works hard to get that pizza to them hot. I have to thank Christina Perry for writing her letter.

[Last modified October 21, 2005, 02:15:38]