Letters to the Editor (4/25)

Heartfelt thank you to everyone

Dear Editor:

We would like to thank everyone who donated to, helped with, and shopped at our cul-de-sac sale benefitting Joann Chase and her family. We are in awe at the outpouring of love and help from our community. Joann and her family are even more determined to fight this battle because of the support and prayers you have given to them.

Her treatment for bone cancer and a brain tumor are just beginning and we are having a golf tournament to benefit this family. It will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at The Raven golf course. We invite all to participate in the tournament, sponsor a tee or provide a raffle item or something for the silent auction. Tickets will also be sold for the barbecue/auction only.

For more information on the golf tournament, send an e-mail to MissyP@kw.com or AZ4NU1@cox.net.

The Ahwatukee Community Swim and Tennis Center will host a morning fundraiser May 10 along with Ahwatukee Adventure Boot Camp. All proceeds will go to the Chase family. Information on this event can be found at www.AhwatukeeHOA.com and www.AdventureBootCamp.com. 

Again, thank you to all who are supporting this family with love and concern. Our theme for them is "Miracles Happen."

Cindy Goodman and Debbie Kendall

How about an actual statistic?

Dear Editor:

I would like to respond to Tim Lank's letter ("Keep up the good work," AFN, April 4). He says that "history has shown, and data support" that lots of people with handguns make people more polite and reduces crime.

After I picked myself off the floor from laughing so hard, I felt I needed to respond. Of course, as it usually goes in cases like this, there is no citing of the "data" he mentions, making it more difficult to refute.

Well, let's discuss history.

Off the top of my head, the American Old West: Hmm, everyone had guns, yet people did not seem to be overly polite or "respect other's property."

OK, let's look at the contemporary society. Japan and England: Virtually no one has a gun, and when I think of rude, theft-ridden society, my first thought is Japan or England.

Or how about in my own country? During my recent visit to South-Central Los Angeles, there were three things I noticed:

1. Guns everywhere

2. Polite people

3. A die-hard respect for property

Right.

Now, how about an actual statistic? According to the Washington D.C.-based Violence Policy Center, having a gun in the home makes it three times more likely that you or someone you care about will be murdered by a family member or intimate partner. But, hey, I am sure they will be very polite while murdering you.

Noah Binder

Get a grip

Dear Editor:

I must agree with C.W. Griffen's concern for the state of our country's education ("Are the Poles telling American Jokes?" AFN, April 16). However, after going further into his opinion piece, it seemed as if he suddenly became rabid. I can't believe that he can harbor such dislike for anyone who does not believe the complete evolution theory. Isn't it a bit childish to use such name-calling as "ignoramuses" and "crackpot intellectual racketeer?"

Poor man, he needs to get a grip.

Wanda Wells

Think Pima Canyon parking is bad?

Dear Editor:

You think the Pima Canyon has parking problems, I welcome you to visit the neighborhood around Desert Vista High School after 8:30 in the morning.

Our streets have been taken over by the students attending DVHS. Come up 29th Place and follow the street around. It's like Interstate 10 at 8 a.m., a parking lot. The kids leave trash all over the place, and they are quite loud while walking to class.

I've lived here for nine years now and I've seen the problem get worse and worse each year. I went to speak with Dr. McDonald when he was principal and, basically, his thoughts were "If it happens off campus there is not much I can do."

Morrice Henders