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Poor citizenship is the root of the problem

Yes, Washington is broken. Yes, change is essential to our survival as a nation. The problems presidential candidates are vowing to correct are now major crises because they weren't addressed years ago by these so-called leaders, congressmen and senators, self-serving cowards unduly influenced by lobbyists and corporations.

What candidate has vision, integrity, commitment, responsibility and excellence, the ability to make us believe? It will take a leader who will challenge us, who will galvanize us and give us courage to demand change. Can any of the candidates fill that role?

Has the argument over proper credit for civil rights shattered Hillary Clinton's liberal veneer? Is John McCain too bellicose?

But how many of us would be willing to accept these changes, especially if they cause us inconvenience or personal sacrifice? We want change, but not if we as individuals have to be denied any materialistic comforts.

We are the problem. We are broken. We are self-absorbed, indulgent and lazy. We allowed the problems facing us today to become unmanageable. How? By our apathy, our lack of civic involvement.

It's not just a government for the people; it's a government by and of the people.

Are gun owners, then, not to be trusted?

In response to "Shooting down a gun sales reform" (Jan. 25 editorial):

Why do you want to take away or hinder my right to sell or trade a firearm to someone? Are you afraid I'll sell the gun to someone who is not supposed to have one? Why do you believe your reason to promote and have such a law outweighs my right to be able to sell a gun to someone else?

I do not understand what you are worried about concerning my being able to sell a gun to someone.

Whether you realize it or not, I perceive your reasons concerning this matter have to do with your thinking that pro-gun owners are not to be trusted; therefore, let's encourage passing a law that will deny their being able to sell a gun to another individual unless they do the very same things, like getting state police permission, that gun dealers do.

What next? A ban on private sales of knives? Ice picks? Hammers? Fireplace pokers? Poisons? Computers? Where do you draw the line?

Cho's victims needed right of self-defense

I am writing in response to the editorial "Shooting down a gun sales reform," (Jan. 25).

Thank you for pointing out this "reform" wouldn't have stopped the horrible tragedy at Virginia Tech. Seung-Hui Cho's long-term criminal actions culminated in a spree that shocked the world. It is clear from what we now know that he was deeply troubled, but also highly motivated to carry out these crimes.

The laws against premeditated, multiple murder are about the strongest in the land and rightly so. Another law arguably might have delayed the start of his murderous rampage, but absolutely would not have prevented it.

We can agree on one thing. Cho should have been stopped. An effective step in that direction would be to end self-defense-free zones and allow responsible, trained, adult, law-abiding citizens the chance to defend themselves and others.

The law-abiding victims at Virginia Tech were at the mercy of a criminal who had no mercy. They had no chance to defend themselves. How do you defend that?

Circus animals suffer cruelly

I am deeply concerned by the Shriners' decision to bring a circus with wild animals to Roanoke.

Big cats, bears, primates and elephants that are used in a circus live dismal lives of domination, confinement and violent training. It is standard practice to beat, shock and whip them to make them perform ridiculous unnatural tricks. In the Humane Society's Wild Animals in Circuses Fact Sheet or at Circuses.com, one can see what's behind the few minutes of "entertainment."

Circuses portray a distorted view of wildlife, giving the wrong impression to our children.

When not performing, the animals spend most of their time in close confinement, being forced to eat, drink, sleep, defecate and urinate in the same cramped cages, hauled around the country for up to 50 weeks a year. Elephants suffer crippling injuries from constant chaining and standing for long periods of time.

The circus deprives animals of their basic needs to socialize, exercise, roam and play.

There is also danger to the public, since wild animals will stay unpredictable despite years of forced obedience. Many people have been killed and many more injured over the years.

Please bring one of those wonderful circuses without wild animals to Roanoke.

Smokers intrude on the rights of others

Smokers: Whose rights are being infringed on? I used to go in a local restaurant every afternoon, but the smoke got so bad I had to stick my head outside to get fresh air. My clothes stank so bad, I had to take them off when I got home to keep from stinking up my house.

I can no longer take my grandson in for lunch because of smoke. Now whose rights are being infringed on? Thanks, Morgan Griffith.

Del. Griffith's misplaced passion

With neck veins bulging, the picture in The Roanoke Times on Jan. 25 gives us a good look at the virulent passion that House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, can call up when angered.

One can't help but ask where this kind of passion was when a truly vital issue like the gun show loophole was on the floor?

Apparently Griffith saves this kind of thing for really grownup and important tasks like putting down his colleagues across the aisle.

Certainly, such sophomoric behavior in light of the missed opportunities of the last few days should make us all proud to be Virginians -- not.

Paul's freedoms don't extend far enough

I find the two letters of support for Ron Paul (Jan. 24) ironic. One ("Where does Paul think he lives? America?") sarcastically bashes the Bush administration for taking away Americans' civil liberties with the suggestion that Paul would restore our personal freedoms from "big government," while the other ("Paul is the only pro-life candidate") states that Paul is the only "true pro-life" candidate.

We can't have it both ways. We cannot ask our government to stop monitoring our phones and e-mails as we invite it to monitor our bedrooms and personal life choices.

I do not believe in abortion, but I am pro-choice, meaning that government should not dictate to me or to my doctor what I can or cannot do with my body. I live in America, not China. The government should not make my family decisions for me.

I will be voting for the best candidate in dealing with foreign and domestic economic affairs. I will not be choosing based upon personal life decisions.

Please, not another stadium scenario

Citizens of Roanoke, please do not drag out the discussion for a restaurant on Mill Mountain for almost seven years like you did with the discussion of whether to demolish Victory Stadium.

This new restaurant facility will bring much-needed diversity to the Roanoke area.

Let's put this decision to a vote soon.