Posted 1:56 am Sunday, February 03, 2013
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Bicyclists should pay the same fees as cars and trucks
Regarding the letter from a bicycling advocate from Tyler, published Jan. 27, I take exception to his use of a part of the Texas Vehicle Code, in which bicycles are considered to be “vehicles.” I wonder if any bicyclist would be willing to actually be treated like the driver of a car or truck.
That would mean a bicyclist training course, a street driving examination, a license to bike, a yearly registration and safety inspection, and more important, a state-issued Texas Toll Tag, with all the applicable fees. Those are things I and thousands of others pay on an annual basis, for the privilege of dodging and avoiding the “I don’t care” bicycle riders. If you want your mode of transportation to be considered a “vehicle” and have all the privileges that come with that, start paying.
Norman B. Poppell
Tyler
That would mean a bicyclist training course, a street driving examination, a license to bike, a yearly registration and safety inspection, and more important, a state-issued Texas Toll Tag, with all the applicable fees. Those are things I and thousands of others pay on an annual basis, for the privilege of dodging and avoiding the “I don’t care” bicycle riders. If you want your mode of transportation to be considered a “vehicle” and have all the privileges that come with that, start paying.
Norman B. Poppell
Tyler
MENTAL HEALTH
In a recent article in the Tyler Paper, gun control activist Molly Smith said she supports a comprehensive look at mental health and violence in video games and films. But she said the mass killings at Virginia Tech and Aurora Colo. And Newtown, Conn., all began with guns.
Logic shows us she is wrong.
In each case the shooter was mentally ill. It did not begin with guns. It began with, and ended with, a violent mentally ill person killing as many people as possible. Why? Because family and friends failed to pursue reporting serious mentally ill behavior to mental health professionals, requiring the need for urgent and immediate intervention.
In the case of Aurora, mental health professionals apparently did not take the necessary steps to have that individual committed as a danger to himself and others. In Virginia Tech, that individual was also known to have serious mental problems. The same applies in Sandy Hook and Tucson, Arizona. Is our mental health system inadequate, or virtually non-existent?
Millions of Americans, and I am one of them, feel that any attack on our Second Amendment is an act of treason.
Paul Roberts
Chandler
Logic shows us she is wrong.
In each case the shooter was mentally ill. It did not begin with guns. It began with, and ended with, a violent mentally ill person killing as many people as possible. Why? Because family and friends failed to pursue reporting serious mentally ill behavior to mental health professionals, requiring the need for urgent and immediate intervention.
In the case of Aurora, mental health professionals apparently did not take the necessary steps to have that individual committed as a danger to himself and others. In Virginia Tech, that individual was also known to have serious mental problems. The same applies in Sandy Hook and Tucson, Arizona. Is our mental health system inadequate, or virtually non-existent?
Millions of Americans, and I am one of them, feel that any attack on our Second Amendment is an act of treason.
Paul Roberts
Chandler
SHOW HEARINGS
Watching recently the questioning of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about Benghazi, I saw a bunch of senators and representatives give long speeches about how wonderful Madam Clinton is. I am sure she worked hard over the past four years, but the gearing was to get answers to the Benghazi tragedy. Few questions were actually ever asked because the senators and representatives let their egos get in the way and just gave speeches. None appeared to have the talent for cross examination, although many are lawyers.
It is my opinion the only way Congress should run a hearing to gather facts is have each party appoint a talented cross examiner to conduct the hearing. This method would be much more effective in getting to the truth than having big egos affecting the outcome.
James W. Blair Jr.
Tyler
It is my opinion the only way Congress should run a hearing to gather facts is have each party appoint a talented cross examiner to conduct the hearing. This method would be much more effective in getting to the truth than having big egos affecting the outcome.
James W. Blair Jr.
Tyler
NOT ENOUGH
Lance Armstrong admitted on television that he used prohibited substances to improve his cycling ability.
But he needs to give his life to Christ to be forgiven by Almighty God.
J. Ronald Wright
Tyler
But he needs to give his life to Christ to be forgiven by Almighty God.
J. Ronald Wright
Tyler
SEQUESTRATION
Congress, in its inability to bite the fiscal bullet, created the new gimmick of “sequestration,” which is nightly discussed by the news programs. But amazingly only one-half of the total actions are being discussed — cuts to the military. If implemented, they would gut the military. Major programs and personnel reductions (military and civilian) are being forced on defense/military planners.
However, how come there is nothing discussed about the other half that is to be sequestered. What programs are to be cut, clashed, and reduced to meet that 50 percent? Or are we to be faced with Congress dithering away to protect their “sacred cows”?
This is the hypocrisy of a nation deeply in debt and yet leaders are calling for more taxes.
Warren B. Eaton
Hideaway
However, how come there is nothing discussed about the other half that is to be sequestered. What programs are to be cut, clashed, and reduced to meet that 50 percent? Or are we to be faced with Congress dithering away to protect their “sacred cows”?
This is the hypocrisy of a nation deeply in debt and yet leaders are calling for more taxes.
Warren B. Eaton
Hideaway
